FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 2621

C 248 L 04

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Concerning personal use shellfish licenses.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Fisheries, Ecology & Parks (originally sponsored by Representatives Blake, Orcutt, Hatfield and Flannigan).

House Committee on Fisheries, Ecology & Parks

House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Parks, Fish & Wildlife

Background:

The Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) is primarily responsible for administering the state's commercial and recreational fishing permit system. In order to harvest shellfish recreationally, including razor clams, a person is required to first obtain a personal use shellfish and seaweed license.

The DFW is authorized to issue both an annual license and a license that is valid for two days. The annual personal use shellfish license costs $7.00 for a resident of Washington, $20.00 for a non-resident, and $5.00 for a person over the age of 70. A two-day shellfish license costs $6.00 for residents, non-residents, and seniors. In addition to the license fee, a purchaser of an annual shellfish license must pay a $3.00 surcharge that is dedicated to the Department of Health to fund biotoxin testing and monitoring of shellfish.

The proceeds generated from the sale of annual personal use shellfish licenses are deposited into the State General Fund. The proceeds from the two-day personal use shellfish license are deposited into the State Wildlife Fund.

Summary:

An annual and a three-day razor clam license is created, to be administered by the DFW. The license allows for the non-commercial harvest of razor clams from state waters and national park beaches. The annual razor clam license costs $5.50 for a Washington resident, including seniors, and $11 for a non-resident. This money will be deposited into the State General Fund. The three-day razor clam license costs $3.50 for both residents and non-residents, with all money generated being deposited into the State Wildlife Fund.

In addition, the razor clam licenses are assessed a surcharge for biotoxin testing and monitoring. The surcharge for the annual license is $2.00, and the surcharge for the three-day license is $1.00.

When issuing the annual and three-day razor clam licenses, the DFW may only require that an applicant show proof of residency. The DFW may not require additional personal information to be provided.

Razor clams may still be harvested using an annual personal use shellfish and seaweed license as well as a razor clam license. The two-day personal use shellfish and seaweed license is eliminated.

Votes on Final Passage:

House 95  0

Senate 49  0

Effective: June 10, 2004