SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 1025

BYRepresentatives R. King,  Sayan, S. Wilson, Haugen, Basich and Spanel; by request of Department of Fisheries

Changing standards for commercial fishing licenses.

House Committe on Fisheries & Wildlife

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 16, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass.

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

Senate Staff:John Korvell (786-7473)

                  March 16, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES, MARCH 16, 1989

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Fisheries requires that persons applying for commercial fishing licenses, or deck hand licenses, be bona fide residents and citizens of the United States.  The U.S. Supreme Court has found against residency and citizenship requirements for licenses.

A vessel may be licensed for both charter boat sport and commercial fishing.  However, the boat may not be used to conduct both activities on the same day.  The not-to-be used license must be left on shore with a fisheries officer or someone designated as his or her agent.  It is not practical nor enforceable for each port's patrol officer to collect and manage each day's unused commercial or sport charter fishing licenses.

Anyone assisting on board a salmon troll vessel, or in the taking of Columbia River smelt, must have a personal commercial fishing license.  Currently the cost of administering these licenses is more than the revenue they bring to the state.

To commercially fish for sturgeon in the Columbia River, a set line endorsement to the commercial fishing license is required.  However, the Columbia River Compact disallowed commercial sturgeon fishing on the Columbia River.

A branch plant fish wholesaler's license is needed for all sales points (branches) a single company may have.  The department earlier revised its method of managing branch plant fish sale points making this license redundant.

The department feels that certain sections pertaining to its commercial licenses are outdated or inefficient and need to be repealed.

SUMMARY:

Residency and citizenship requirements for Department of Fisheries' licenses are repealed.

A boat may carry both a charter boat sport and commercial fishing license but may only participate in one licensed activity a day.

The personal commercial fishing license for deck hands and for those assisting commercial smelt fishermen is repealed.

The Columbia River commercial sturgeon set line fishing endorsement is repealed.

The branch plant license is repealed.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    yes

Fiscal Note:      requested March 6, 1989

Senate Committee - Testified: Loren Stern, WDF (for); Ray Nelson, concerned citizen