HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1289

As Passed Legislature

Title: An act relating to exempting active duty military personnel from certain temporary fishing license restrictions.

Brief Description: Concerning temporary fishing licenses.

Sponsors: By Representatives Hinkle, Grant, Sump, Blake, Bush, Hatfield, Newhouse, Hunt, Buck, Mielke and McDonald.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Fisheries, Ecology & Parks: 2/4/03, 2/6/03 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 2/12/03, 97-0.

Senate Amended.

Passed Senate: 4/11/03, 49-0.

House Concurred.

Passed House: 4/21/03, 97-0.

Passed Legislature.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES, ECOLOGY & PARKS

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Cooper, Chair; Berkey, Vice Chair; Sump, Ranking Minority Member; Hinkle, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Buck, Hatfield, O'Brien, Pearson and Upthegrove.

Staff: Jeff Olsen (786-7157).

Background:

A personal use saltwater, freshwater, combination, or temporary license is required for all persons 15 years of age or older to fish for or possess fish taken for personal use from state or offshore waters. A temporary fishing license costs $6 and is valid for two consecutive days. Temporary fishing licenses are not valid on game fish species during the first eight days of the lowland lake fishing season.

Summary of Bill:

Active duty military personnel serving in any branch of the United States Armed Forces are exempt from the provision that prohibits the use of a temporary fishing license for game fish species during the first eight days of the lowland lake fishing season.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not Requested.

Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For: This bill helps our active duty military personnel, who don't always have time off like other citizens, by giving them an opportunity to fish during the first eight days of the season and use a temporary license. This is a fix-it bill and the right thing to do for our armed forces.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: (In support) Representative Hinkle, prime sponsor; and Frank Hawley, Department of Fish and Wildlife.