SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6299

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Natural Resources, Parks & Shorelines, January 28, 2002

Ways & Means, February 6, 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:  Senators Jacobsen, Oke, Spanel, Morton, Hargrove and Rasmussen; by request of Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources, Parks & Shorelines:  1/23/02, 1/28/02 [DP-WM].

Ways & Means:  2/5/02, 2/6/02 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, PARKS & SHORELINES

Majority Report:  Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

Signed by Senators Jacobsen, Chair; Poulsen, Vice Chair; Hargrove, McDonald, Morton, Oke, Snyder and Spanel.

Staff:  Ross Antipa (786-7413)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

Signed by Senators Brown, Chair; Regala, Vice Chair; Fairley, Vice Chair; Fraser, Honeyford, Kline, Kohl‑Welles, Long, Parlette, Rasmussen, Rossi, Sheahan, B. Sheldon, Spanel, Thibaudeau, Winsley and Zarelli.

Staff:  Richard Ramsey (786-7412)

Background:  Hunters and fishers may replace lost fishing or hunting licenses by purchasing a duplicate license from the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Fees for duplicate licenses were set at a high level in order to prevent fraudulent purchases in past years when the license system was noncomputerized.  The system is now fully automated and the cost for duplicate licenses may be reduced.

Summary of Bill:  The director is given the authority to set the fees for duplicate licenses at a level less than the original license.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For (Natural Resources, Parks & Shorelines):  Computerized license systems for fishing and hunting licenses prevent fraudulent purchases of duplicate licenses; therefore, fees for duplicate licenses could be reduced.

Testimony Against (Natural Resources, Parks & Shorelines):  None.

Testified (Natural Resources, Parks & Shorelines):  Cory Freeman, NW Sports Fishing Industry Assn. (pro); Frank Hawley, Fish and Wildlife (pro).

Testimony For (Ways & Means):  The efficiency of the automated license fee system has made this bill possible.  The benefits will accrue primarily to youth and disabled licensees.

Testimony Against (Ways & Means):  None.

Testified (Ways & Means):  Frank Hawley, Department of Fish and Wildlife (pro).