HOUSE BILL REPORT
SHB 2435
As Passed House:
February 12, 2002
Title: An act relating to duplicate fish and wildlife documents.
Brief Description: Setting fees for the production of duplicate fish and wildlife license documents.
Sponsors: By House Committee on Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Representatives Jackley, Eickmeyer, Doumit, Buck, Rockefeller, Clements, Berkey and Orcutt; by request of Department of Fish and Wildlife).
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Natural Resources: 1/30/02, 2/1/02 [DPS].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 2/12/02, 97-0.
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Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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$Requires that the fee charged for a duplicate Department of Fish and Wildlife license not be more than the actual cost to the department for issuance of the duplicate.
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 11 members: Representatives Doumit, Chair; Rockefeller, Vice Chair; Sump, Ranking Minority Member; Buck, Eickmeyer, Ericksen, Jackley, McDermott, Orcutt, Pearson and Upthegrove.
Staff: Jason Callahan (786‑7117).
Background:
A license issued by the Department of Fish and Wildlife (department) is required to hunt for most wild animals and fish and to harvest seaweed and shellfish. Licenses are also necessary in order to practice taxidermy for a profit, deal in raw furs, act as a fishing guide, operate a game farm, purchase or sell game fish, or use department‑managed facilities.
The Fish and Wildlife Commission has the authority to adopt rules for the issuance of recreational licenses and the collection of fees. In March of 2001, the department began issuing licenses and collecting fees through the Washington Interactive Licensing Database system. This is a computer‑based system that replaced the paper system for license issuance.
If a license is lost or stolen a duplicate may be received. The director of the department has the authority to establish by rule the conditions for the issuance of duplicate licenses. By statute, the fee for a duplicate license is $10 for those licenses that are $10 or more, and equal to the value of the license for licenses that are less than $10.
Summary of Substitute Bill:
The cost to the consumer for a duplicate Department of Fish and Wildlife license may not exceed the actual cost to the department for issuing the duplicate.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not Requested.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: Lost licenses should not cost more than the administrative costs incurred by producing the document. The user of the license pays for the management of the resource when the license is originally purchased, and should not be charged a second time for that management just because a license is lost or stolen. Technology has produced better efficiency within the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the savings created by this technology should be passed on to the citizens of Washington. The current fees for duplicate licenses are set too high, and they are discouraging compliance with the law.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: Frank Hawley and Josh Weiss, Department of Fish and Wildlife; and Melonie Rongey, Bob=s Merchandise.