SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6310

BYSenators Metcalf, Owen, DeJarnatt, McMullen, Smith, Amondson, Anderson, Warnke, Thorsness, von Reichbauer and Rasmussen; by request of Department of Fisheries

Providing a funding mechanism for regional fisheries enhancement groups.

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 16, 1990; January 22, 1990

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6310 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

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

Senate Staff:Ross Antipa (786-7413)

                  January 25, 1990

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 1, 1990; February 5, 1990

Majority Report:  That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 6310 be substituted therefor, and the second substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators McDonald, Chairman; Craswell, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Bailey, Bauer, Bluechel, Cantu, Fleming, Gaspard, Hayner, Lee, Matson, Moore, Newhouse, Niemi, Owen, Saling, Williams, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Michael Groesch (786-7715)

                  February 6, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS, FEBRUARY 5, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Regional fisheries enhancement groups were authorized during the 1989 legislative session.  A majority of the legislation was vetoed by the Governor, and this left the program without a funding mechanism and with no specified procedures for group organization, or oversight by the Department of Fisheries.

SUMMARY:

Regional fisheries enhancement groups are encouraged to organize and to incorporate.  Regional groups are funded through a dedicated account.  Funds for the account are collected through a $1.00 surcharge on recreational salmon licenses and a $50 surcharge on commercial and charter boat licenses.

A regional fisheries enhancement group advisory board is created to make recommendations on enhancement proposals from the regional groups.  The board consists of two commercial representatives, two recreational representatives and three at-large positions.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The surcharge on commercial fishing licenses is increased to $100.  A landing tax surcharge of 0.5 percent is imposed on fish buyers who deal in salmon, and the revenue is placed in the enhancement account.  The administrative fee for the department is set at 25 percent of the account revenue until the end of the 1993 biennium, and 10 percent thereafter.  The license surcharges take effect January 1, 1991.  The department shall provide at least three fulltime fisheries biologists to assist the regional enhancement groups.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SECOND SUBSTITUTE:

The landing tax surcharge of 0.5 percent imposed on fish buyers is eliminated.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    yes

Fiscal Note:      requested January 10, 1990

Senate Committee - Testified: ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES:  Judy Merchant, Department of Fisheries (pro); Tom Pentt, Trout Unlimited (pro); Don Samuelson, Grays Harbor Fish Enhancement Task Force (pro); Toimi Maki, Grays Harbor Gillnetters (pro); Ray Nelson, commercial fisherman (pro); Jim King, Washington State Sports Council (pro); John Sayre, Long Live the Kings (pro); Bob Eaton, Salmon For All (pro); Irene Martin, Columbia River Gillnetters (pro); Rob Zuanich, Purse Seiners (pro); Don White, Washington Ports Association (pro)

Senate Committee - Testified: WAYS & MEANS:  Greg Muller, President, Pacific Trollers (con)