HOUSE BILL REPORT
SB 5356
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Reported by House Committee On:
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Title: An act relating to direct retail endorsements issued by the department of fish and wildlife.
Brief Description: Regarding direct retail licenses issued by the department of fish and wildlife.
Sponsors: Senators Haugen and Jacobsen.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Agriculture & Natural Resources: 3/12/09, 3/19/09 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 12 members: Representatives Blake, Chair; Jacks, Vice Chair; Chandler, Ranking Minority Member; Smith, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Grant-Herriot, Kretz, McCoy, Nelson, Ormsby, Pearson, Van De Wege and Warnick.
Staff: Jason Callahan (786-7117)
Background:
Direct Retail Endorsements.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is required to offer a direct retail endorsement to commercial crab, salmon, and sturgeon license holders. The direct retail endorsement serves as a single permit that entitles the holder to clean, dress, and sell his or her catch directly to a consumer at the retail level.
The direct retail endorsement is an optional addition to an underlying commercial fishing license. The holders of commercial crab, salmon, or sturgeon licenses may add a direct retail endorsement to their licenses at any time. If one individual holds a commercial license for more than one qualifying species, then that person need only add one direct retail endorsement to cover all species being harvested.
Alternate Operators.
As a general rule, only the person named on a commercial fishing license may fish under that license, and only the named person may operate the specific vessel identified on the license. However, there is a process that allows an alternate operator to be named. An alternate operator may operate the vessel specified on the commercial fishing license and catch fish under the license.
All alternate operators must be at least 16 years old and possess an alternate operator's license. Most commercial fishing license holders can designate up to two alternate operators for each license.
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Summary of Bill:
An alternate operator to a commercial fishing license is authorized to obtain a direct retail endorsement from the WDFW. The alternate operator has the same rights and responsibilities relating to the direct retail endorsement as the fishing license holder.
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Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) Currently, individuals who lease a commercial fishing license must purchase a Wholesale Fish Buyers License in order to sell fish at retail. That license is expensive and intended for operations larger than an individual commercial fisher. Without a direct retail endorsement, fish cannot be used for charity dinners or sold to friends and family.
The direct retail endorsement allows the removal of the middlemen from the distribution chain and allows fresh fish to be delivered directly to retail customers, much like a farmer's market.
It is good public policy for the Legislature to revisit a piece of legislation and correct the elements that could function better.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Senator Haugen, prime sponsor; and David Anderson.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.