HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2688

BYRepresentatives Doty, Spanel, Chandler, Youngsman, Smith and Silver

Authorizing free group fishing licenses for federal job corps young adults.

House Committe on Fisheries & Wildlife

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (7)

      Signed by Representatives R. King, Chair; Morris, Vice Chair; Basich, Bowman, Cole, Smith and Spanel.

Minority Report:  Without recommendation.  (4)

      Signed by Representatives S. Wilson, Ranking Republican Member; Brooks, Haugen and Vekich.

House Staff:Robert Butts (786-7841)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES & WILDLIFE

FEBRUARY 2, 1990

BACKGROUND:

The federal Job Corps Program is designed to provide economically disadvantaged young men and women intensive programs of education, vocational training, work experience, and counseling.  Types of training provided include office skills, dental hygiene, auto body repair, and heavy equipment operation.  The Job Corps Program is operated in a group setting, and participants are with the program for six to 18 months.

There are four Job Corps Centers in Washington, located in Sedro Woolley, Moses Lake, Curlew, and White Swan.  Approximately 2,000 participants are involved in the program over the course of a year.

Under current law, the Department of Wildlife may issue group fishing permits to organized groups composed of senior citizens and persons who are physically or mentally handicapped if the fishing is occasional and the group is supervised by staff of a Department of Social & Health Services' licensed care facility.

SUMMARY:

Young adults enrolled in the federal Jobs Corps Program may fish for food fish, shellfish, and game fish without individual licenses if the fishing is occasional, if it is conducted in a group supervised by Job Corps staff, and if it is in accordance with permit conditions imposed by the director of Fisheries or the director of Wildlife, as applicable.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Representative Doty, Prime Sponsor; and Jim Linday, U.S. Department of Labor.

House Committee - Testified Against:      Lee Smith, Department of Wildlife.

House Committee - Testimony For:    This legislation will provide an excellent opportunity for urban and disadvantaged young adults in the Job Corps Program to enjoy the pleasures of fishing.  A group fishing permit is issued in Oregon for Job Corps participants.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      The Department of Wildlife is currently reviewing its fishing and hunting license fees, and is not supporting any license exemptions until the review is concluded.