SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5626

               As Passed Senate, March 12, 1997

Title:  An act relating to transport tags for game.

Brief Description:  Providing game transport tags at no cost in order to meet harvest management goals.

Sponsors:  Senators Morton, Hargrove, Swecker, Hochstatter, Stevens, Schow, Strannigan and Anderson.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources & Parks:  2/25/97, 2/28/97 [DP].

Passed Senate, 3/12/97, 45-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & PARKS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Oke, Chair; Rossi, Vice Chair; Hargrove, Jacobsen, Morton, Prentice, Roach, Snyder, Spanel, Stevens and Swecker.

Staff:  Ross Antipa (786-7413)

Background:  A transport tag is required of persons who hunt black bear and cougar.  The resident fee for a bear tag is $18.  A cougar tag is $24 for residents.

The passage of Initiative 655 prohibits hound and bait hunting for bear and cougar.  There is concern that bear and cougar populations will increase and cause damage to game populations and livestock.

Issuance of transport tags at no cost or waiving transport tag requirements will result in greater harvest levels for black bear and cougar.

Summary of Bill:  The Fish and Wildlife Commission may reduce the fee for black bear and cougar transport tags.  If the commission decides to make black bear and cougar tags available at no cost, then the commission may waive the requirement for transport tags.  Reduction in tag fees, or elimination of transport tag requirements, must be only for the purpose of achieving harvest management goals.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  Passage of Initiative 655 will result in increased populations of black bear and cougar, and increased number of damage complaints.  The commission should encourage increased harvesting of black bear and cougar by hunters who do not utilize hounds or bait.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Ken Koski, Washington State Trappers (pro); Dave Brittell, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (pro).