SENATE BILL REPORT
SHB 1082
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Reported By Senate Committee On:
Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation, March 21, 2007
Title: An act relating to the requirements for displaying the proper licenses while harvesting shellfish or seaweed.
Brief Description: Requiring that certain shellfish and seaweed harvest license be available for inspection.
Sponsors: House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Representatives Blake, Takko, Curtis, VanDeWege, Hunt, Eickmeyer, Pettigrew, Morrell, Springer, Flannigan and Simpson).
Brief History: Passed House: 1/29/07, 95-0.
Committee Activity: Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation: 3/15/07, 3/21/07 [DPA].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, OCEAN & RECREATION
Majority Report: Do pass as amended.Signed by Senators Jacobsen, Chair; Rockefeller, Vice Chair; Morton, Ranking Minority Member; Fraser, Hargrove, Poulsen, Spanel, Stevens and Swecker.
Staff: Kim Johnson (786-7346)
Background: A person over the age of 15 must purchase a personal use shellfish and seaweed
license from the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) prior to harvesting either shellfish or
seaweed from state waters or from national park beaches. The license costs $7 for residents of
Washington and $20 for residents of other states or countries. Seniors may purchase a license for
$5.
Likewise, a person interested in harvesting razor clams for personal use must purchase a razor
clam license. The cost of a one-day razor clam license is $5.50 for state residents, and $11 for
individuals that are not residents of Washington. A three-day razor clam license is also available
for an additional cost.
The license holder is required to display the appropriate license in a visible manner on his or her
person while actually engaged in the act of harvesting shellfish, razor clams, or seaweed.
Summary of Substitute Bill: The requirement that a harvester of shellfish, razor clams, or seaweed must display the actual license on his or her person is removed. The harvester must still be in immediate possession of an appropriate license and make the license available for inspection when requested to do so.
EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY RECOMMENDED AMENDMENT(S) AS PASSED COMMITTEE (Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation): DFW is required to monitor personal use shellfish and seaweed licenses and razor clam licenses for four years and report to the Legislature if the number of license sales drop more than 10 percent. The report must include the sales and revenue data for the licenses and any reasons for the decrease.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: Frequently during the razor clam tides, it is quite windy and your license blows away. This is a good government bill. No other hunting or fishing license is required to be worn or displayed in the same way. Originally DFW issued color coded licenses so there was a reason to display the license. Now the agency just issues all white licenses which alleviates the need to wear the license on the outside of ones clothing.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Brian Blake, prime sponsor; Morris Barker, Department of Fish and Wildlife.