SENATE BILL REPORT

2SSB 6353

As Passed Senate, February 18, 2002

Title:  An act relating to migratory bird stamps.

Brief Description:  Concerning the use of migratory bird stamp and migratory bird validation fees.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Haugen, Oke and Jacobsen).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources, Parks & Shorelines:  1/31/02, 2/6/02 [DPS‑WM, DNP].

Ways & Means:  2/11/02, 2/12/02 [DP2S].

Passed Senate:  2/18/02, 37-12.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, PARKS & SHORELINES

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6353 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

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

Minority Report:  Do not pass.

Signed by Senators Morton and Stevens.

Staff:  Ross Antipa (786‑7413)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 6353 be substituted therefor, and the second substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Brown, Chair; Regala, Vice Chair; Fairley, Vice Chair; Fraser, Kline, Kohl‑Welles, Long, Poulsen, Rasmussen, B. Sheldon, Snyder, Spanel, Thibaudeau and Winsley.

Staff:  Richard Ramsey (786-7412)

Background:  Current fees for a Washington State migratory bird stamp are $6 for both hunters and collectors.

The migratory bird stamp requirement was created in 1985, at which time the fee was $5.  The fee was last increased from $5 to $6 in 1991.

Summary of Bill:  The fee for a Washington State migratory bird stamp is increased from $6 to $10 for both hunters and collectors.  Migratory bird stamp funds may not be used on private hunting clubs or on private lands that charge a fee for access.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 21, 2002.

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

Testimony For:  Migratory bird hunters support higher stamp fees in order to improve waterfowl habitat.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Ed Owens, Hunters Heritage Council; Rob Kavanaugh; Joan Arrabito, WA Waterfowl Assn.; Johnny R. Walker, WA State Migratory Waterfowl Art Committee; Steve Pozzanghera, Don Kraege, WDFW.

House Amendment(s):  Public lands may charge a fee for access and be eligible for migratory bird stamp funds.  This would allow Department of Fish and Wildlife lands that require the vehicle use permit to utilize migratory waterfowl bird stamp funds.