HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2636
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 recordkeeping requirements of secondary commercial fish receivers.
Brief Description: Concerning recordkeeping requirements of secondary commercial fish receivers.
Sponsors: Representatives Walkinshaw, Blake and Ryu; by request of Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Agriculture & Natural Resources: 1/27/16, 2/3/16 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 11 members: Representatives Blake, Chair; Walkinshaw, Vice Chair; Buys, Ranking Minority Member; Dent, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Hurst, Lytton, Orcutt, Pettigrew, Stanford and Van De Wege.
Staff: Jason Callahan (786-7117).
Background:
A person who sells fish or shellfish at retail, stores fish or shellfish, ships fish or shellfish, or serves as a broker for transactions involving fish or shellfish is considered to be a secondary fish receiver. To conduct these business transactions lawfully, a secondary fish receiver is required to maintain certain records. The records include identifying information for the person who provided the fish or shellfish, the unique tracking number relating to the fish or shellfish, and information relating to the date of purchase and the quantity and species purchased. These records must be kept at the location where the fish or shellfish are being sold or held or at the principal place of business of the shipper or broker.
The crime of Secondary Commercial Fish Receivers Failure to Account for Commercial Harvest may be prosecuted if the secondary fish receiver fails to accurately maintain the required records or otherwise violates the duties of a secondary fish receiver. These violations are punishable as a misdemeanor.
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Summary of Bill:
The requirement that secondary fish receivers must keep certain records regarding fish and shellfish either with the fish or shellfish or at their principal place of business is contracted to specify that the records may only be kept at the principal place of business if the fish or shellfish are no longer in the possession of the secondary fish receiver.
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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) This bill provides data about where fish and shellfish originate and improves the traceability of harvested state resources. There is a vibrant illicit seafood marketplace in Washington that competes against legitimate businesses. If records cannot be readily searched, then enforcement cannot take the necessary actions to stop criminal behaviors.
It is especially important to seize shellfish which may have been poached from beds that are closed due to unhealthy conditions. These shellfish can cause a significant public health threat if they make it to the end consumer. It is critical for public safety to have the tools necessary to seize this product.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Walkinshaw, prime sponsor; and Mike Cenci, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.