SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6673

BYSenator Metcalf

Revising the director of wildlife's authority to dispose of certain wildlife.

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 1, 1988; February 4, 1988

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Metcalf, Chairman; Smith, Vice Chairman; Barr, Benitz, Kreidler, Owen, Patterson.

Senate Staff:Vic Moon (786-7469)

                  February 4, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES, FEBRUARY 4, 1988

BACKGROUND:

The director of the Department of Wildlife authorizes the disposal of wildlife taken by department employees or taken under the department's direction.  Skins or furs must be sold at public auction by the department and the proceeds from the sales are to be deposited in the state treasury and credited to the State Wildlife Fund.  The costs of storing the skins and conducting the public auction is often not covered by the income from such auctions.  This is especially true in the case of bearskins, which last sold at public auction at a price of from $2 to $10 apiece and brought in only $350.  Giving the director the discretion to either sell furs or to use them in some other manner would be a better management policy.  If furs were extremely valuable they could still be sold at public auction at the discretion of the director.

SUMMARY:

The requirement that skins or furs shall be sold at public auction and the proceeds from sales be deposited in the state treasury is deleted.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested February 4, 1988

Senate Committee - Testified: John King, Sno-King Hound Club (pro); Cal Groen, Dept. of Wildlife, (pro)