HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2849

                    As Passed Legislature

Title:  An act relating to nonsalmon delivery licenses.

Brief Description:  Exempting nonsalmon delivery license holders from United States residency requirements.

Sponsors:  Representatives Linville and King.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Fisheries & Wildlife, February 1, 1994, DP;

Passed House, February 9, 1994, 95-0;

  Passed Legislature.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES & WILDLIFE

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 9 members:  Representatives King, Chair; Orr, Vice Chair; Fuhrman, Ranking Minority Member; Sehlin, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Basich; Chappell; Foreman; Quall and Scott.

Staff:  Keitlyn Watson (786-7310).

Background:  The Department of Fisheries issues commercial licenses and permits for the following activities:  commercial fishing, delivery, processing or wholesaling of food fish and shellfish; operating a charter boat or a commercial fishing vessel; or acting as a recreational salmon guide in freshwater rivers and streams (except in the part of the Columbia River below the Longview Bridge).  It is unlawful to engage in any of these activities without such a license.

Persons holding commercial licenses must meet the following qualifications:  1) 16 years of age or older; 2) U.S. residency; and 3) if the licensee is a corporation, authorization to do business in Washington State.

Under the auspices of two treaties between Canada and the United States regarding tuna and halibut harvest, Canadians may be issued nonsalmon delivery licenses to deliver these species.  However, licenses may not be issued to Canadians for purposes outside of the treaty.

Summary of Bill:  Holders of nonsalmon delivery licenses are exempted from the U.S. residency requirement.

Fiscal Note:  Requested January 26, 1994.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The bill corrects a problem created by legislation passed in 1993 and legitimizes past practice.  Washington processors are dependent on landings of tuna, halibut and other species by Canadian fishers who have delivered fish in Blaine, Bellingham, Anacortes and other Washington ports for years. 

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Representative Kelli Linville, prime sponsor (pro); Ed Manary, Department of Fisheries (pro); and Don Stuart (pro).