HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2292

BYRepresentatives R. King, Bowman, Sayan, Brumsickle, Basich, Brooks, Spanel, Smith, Morris, Day, Jones, Youngsman, Cole, P. King, Wood and Kremen; by request of Department of Fisheries

Authorizing family fishing days.

House Committe on Fisheries & Wildlife

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (10)

      Signed by Representatives R. King, Chair; Morris, Vice Chair; S. Wilson, Ranking Republican Member; Basich, Bowman, Brooks, Cole, Haugen, Smith and Spanel.

House Staff:Robert Butts (786-7841)

AS PASSED HOUSE JANUARY 29, 1990

BACKGROUND:

The 1987 Legislature allowed the Wildlife Commission to designate family fishing days in which fishing licenses for game fish would not be required.  As a result, the Department of Wildlife participates in "National Fishing Week" by hosting a free family fishing weekend.  "National Fishing Week" is sponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Sport Fishing Institute of America.

When adopting the family fishing legislation for game fish, the Legislature did not provide for family fishing days for food fish, which are managed by the Department of Fisheries.

SUMMARY:

The Director of Fisheries may designate family fishing days.  On these days, a recreational fishing license is not required to fish for food fish or shellfish.

Fiscal Note:      No Impact.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Loren Stern, Department of Fisheries.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Allowing free family fishing days would enhance appreciation of our state's fishery resource.  The bill also would allow the Department of Fisheries and the Department of Wildlife to have joint free family fishing days.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.