HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 5059

BYSenators Smith, Rasmussen, Metcalf, Benitz, Amondson, Anderson, Thorsness and Sutherland

Providing for a steelhead punchcard for persons under age fifteen.

House Committe on Fisheries & Wildlife

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendment.  (10)

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

House Staff:Robert Butts (786-7841)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES & WILDLIFE MARCH 31, 1989

BACKGROUND:

To fish for steelhead, a recreational angler needs a steelhead punchcard and, with several exceptions (e.g. children under 15, disabled veterans, the blind), a game fish license.

The fee for an annual steelhead punchcard, which entitles the holder to 30 steelhead, is $15.  If a person returns a steelhead punchcard by June 1, the person is entitled to a $5 credit towards that day's purchase of any license, permit, transport tag, punchcard, or stamp.

Under current law, there are no exemptions to the $15 punchcard fee requirement.  Children, the blind, and disabled veterans must all pay the $15 fee.

The Department of Wildlife does not keep statistics on the number of steelhead punchcards issued to juveniles.

SUMMARY:

BILL AS AMENDED:  Persons under the age of 15 may purchase an annual steelhead punchcard for $5, which entitles the child to catch 10 steelhead.  The $5 credit that is available when the punchcard is returned is not available to children who purchase the $5 punchcard.

AMENDED BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  The amendment increased the number of steelhead that could be caught with the juvenile punchcard from five to 10.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Senator Linda Smith, Prime Sponsor; Lee Smith, Department of Wildlife.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    With large families, it is very expensive to go steelhead fishing. Some kids are now steelhead fishing without a punchcard; this reduced fee will encourage them to buy one.  The reduced fee will be useful in introducing young people to the sport.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.