BILL REQ. #:  S-4535.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/03/10.   

     AN ACT Relating to changes in vessel designations on Dungeness crab-coastal fishery licenses; and amending RCW 77.70.350.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 77.70.350 and 2006 c 159 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The following restrictions apply to vessel designations and substitutions on Dungeness crab-coastal fishery licenses:
     (a) The holder of the license may not:
     (i) Designate on the license a vessel the hull length of which exceeds ninety-nine feet; or
     (ii) Change vessel designation if the hull length of the vessel proposed to be designated exceeds the hull length designated on the license on June 7, 2006, by more than ten feet. However, if such vessel designation is the result of an emergency transfer, the applicable vessel length would be the most recent permanent vessel designation on the license prior to June 7, 2006;
     (b) If the hull length of the vessel proposed to be designated is comparable to or exceeds by up to one foot the hull length of the currently designated vessel, the department may change the vessel designation no more than once in any ((two consecutive Washington state coastal crab seasons)) one year period, measured from September 15th to September 15th of the following year, unless the currently designated vessel is lost or in disrepair such that it does not safely operate, in which case the department may allow a change in vessel designation;
     (c) If the hull length of the vessel proposed to be designated exceeds by between one and ten feet the hull length of the designated vessel on June 7, 2006, the department may change the vessel designation no more than once on or after June 7, 2006, unless a request is made by the license holder during a Washington state coastal crab season for an emergency change in vessel designation. If such an emergency request is made, the director may allow a temporary change in designation to another vessel, if the hull length of the other vessel does not exceed by more than ten feet the hull length of the currently designated vessel.
     (2) For the purposes of this section, "hull length" means the length overall of a vessel's hull as shown by marine survey or by manufacturer's specifications.
     (3) By December 31, 2010, the department must, in cooperation with the coastal crab fishing industry, evaluate the effectiveness of this section and, if necessary, recommend any statutory changes to the appropriate committees of the senate and house of representatives.