Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee

HB 1232

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.

Brief Summary of Bill

Requires the holder of a game fish guide license or a food fish guide license to surrender the license to the holder's employer upon termination of employment if the employer paid for the license.
Makes a game fish guide license or a food fish guide license that is surrendered to an employer by an employee transferrable to another employee for the remainder of the license year.

Background:

A game fish guide license or a food fish guide license issued by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is required in order to perform or offer to perform the services of a game fish guide or a food fish guide. An applicant must include the following information in an application for a game fish guide license or a food fish guide license:

a driver's license or other government-issued identification;
the applicant's unified business license number;
proof of current certification in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation;
proof of commercial liability insurance of at least $300,000; and
if applicable, an original or notarized copy of a valid license issued by the United States Coast Guard to the applicant that authorizes the applicant to carry passengers for hire.

The current fee for a game fish guide license is $250 for residents and $670 for non-residents. The current fee for a food fish guide license is $220 for residents and $800 for non-residents.

Summary of Bill:

Upon termination of an employment relationship, if an employee possesses a food fish guide license or a game fish guide license, either of which the employer purchased on the employee's behalf, then the employee must return the license to the employer or pay to the employer an amount equal to the amount of the license fee and application fee that the employer paid. If the employee fails to return the license the license is invalidated.

Additionally, a food fish guide license or a game fish guide license that is returned to an employer by an employee is transferrable to a new employee who meets the license qualifications.