HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1896
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 Passed House:
February 12, 2014
Title: An act relating to enhancing compliance with the responsibilities of fishing guides.
Brief Description: Enhancing compliance with the responsibilities of fishing guides.
Sponsors: Representatives Lytton, Chandler, Blake, MacEwen and Wilcox.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Agriculture & Natural Resources: 2/20/13, 2/21/13 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 3/6/13, 97-0.
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 2/12/14, 96-2.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 15 members: Representatives Blake, Chair; Lytton, Vice Chair; Buys, Ranking Minority Member; MacEwen, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Dunshee, Haigh, Hurst, Kretz, Orcutt, Pettigrew, Schmick, Stanford, Van De Wege and Warnick.
Staff: Jason Callahan (786-7117).
Background:
Fishing Guides.
A person must be licensed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) in order to serve as a paid fishing guide. There are various licenses available from the WDFW depending on what service a fishing guide plans to provide and where the service will be provided.
A Game Fish Guide License is available that allows the holder to offer or perform the services of a game fish guide. A Food Fish Guide License is available for those offering guide services for food fish in freshwater rivers and streams. Finally, a Charter Boat License is available for those interested in offering guide services in offshore waters including: Puget Sound, Grays Harbor, Willapa Bay, the Pacific Ocean, Lake Washington, and the Columbia River below the bridge at Longview.
A person can be convicted of a gross misdemeanor if he or she operates a charter boat or acts as a fishing guide without the proper licensure.
Catch Record Cards.
A catch record card is required to be submitted to the WDFW after an attempted harvest of fish or shellfish. Charter boat operators are required to affix a stamp related to the charter on the catch record card of all paying customers before fishing commences. This catch record card is valid for one day.
Summary of Bill:
A new gross misdemeanor is created for people who hold a Game Fish Guide License, a Food Fish Guide License, or a Charter Boat License and who fail to perform any duties related to catch record cards or who violate any rule regarding temporary fishing licenses, charter stamps, or catch record cards.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
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) This bill addresses a small but important problem and protects the fishing guide industry by providing enforcement mechanisms to avoid a few bad actors from making the entire industry look bad. There are a few fishing guides who are taking advantage of current licensing rules that are designed to make it easier and quicker for customers to participate in a guided fishery. However, there is no penalty for violating these requirements.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Lytton, prime sponsor; Mike Cenci and Erik Olson, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife; and Mark Ceoergreen, Westport Charterboat Association, Ilwaco Charter Association and Charter Association of Puget Sound.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.