BILL REQ. #:  S-2028.1 

Read first time 02/27/2007.   Referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

     AN ACT Relating to the state wildlife account; amending RCW 77.32.350, 77.32.370, 77.32.380, 77.32.430, 77.32.450, 77.32.460, 77.32.470, and 77.65.480; adding a new section to chapter 77.12 RCW; and adding a new section to chapter 77.55 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 77.12 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) It is the policy of the state that the state wildlife account be self-supporting and that the license and permit fee revenues to the state wildlife account must be sufficient to fund the cost of the department's programs that support those activities.
     (2) For each statutory license or permit fee that references this section, the commission shall periodically adjust the fee to ensure that state wildlife account revenues are sufficient to fund these activities. No fee may be increased by more than ten percent in any calendar year without prior legislative approval.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 77.55 RCW to read as follows:
     By July 1, 2009, the department shall develop and implement a fee schedule for hydraulic project permits issued by the department under this chapter. The fees must be set at a level that is sufficient to fund the cost of the hydraulic project permitting program, including the department's costs incurred in monitoring and inspecting permitted projects. The fees received by the department must be deposited into the state wildlife account and may be expended exclusively for the purposes of the hydraulic project permitting program.

Sec. 3   RCW 77.32.350 and 2002 c 283 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     In addition to a small game hunting license, a supplemental permit or stamp is required to hunt for western Washington pheasant or migratory birds.
     (1) A western Washington pheasant permit is required to hunt for pheasant in western Washington. Western Washington pheasant permits must contain numbered spaces for recording the location and date of harvest of each western Washington pheasant.
     (2) The permit shall be available as a season option, a youth full season option, or a three-day option. The fee for this permit is:
     (a) For the resident and nonresident full season option, thirty-six dollars;
     (b) For the youth full season option, eighteen dollars;
     (c) For the three-day option, twenty dollars.
     (3) A migratory bird validation is required for all persons sixteen years of age or older to hunt migratory birds. The fee for the validation for hunters is ten dollars for residents and nonresidents. The fee for the stamp for collectors is ten dollars.
     (4) The migratory bird license must be validated at the time of signature of the licensee.
     (5) The fees specified in this section are subject to adjustment by the commission under section 1 of this act.

Sec. 4   RCW 77.32.370 and 1998 c 191 s 26 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) A special hunting season permit is required to hunt in each special season established under chapter 77.12 RCW.
     (2) Persons may apply for special hunting season permits as provided by rule of the commission.
     (3) The application fee to enter the drawing for a special hunting permit is five dollars for residents, fifty dollars for nonresidents, and three dollars for youth.
     (4) The fees specified in this section are subject to adjustment by the commission under section 1 of this act.

Sec. 5   RCW 77.32.380 and 2003 c 317 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Persons who enter upon or use clearly identified department improved access facilities with a motor vehicle may be required to display a current annual fish and wildlife lands vehicle use permit on the motor vehicle while within or while using an improved access facility. An "improved access facility" is a clearly identified area specifically created for motor vehicle parking, and includes any boat launch or boat ramp associated with the parking area, but does not include the department parking facilities at the Gorge Concert Center near George, Washington. One vehicle use permit shall be issued at no charge with an initial purchase of either an annual saltwater, freshwater, combination, small game hunting, big game hunting, or trapping license, or a watchable wildlife decal, issued by the department. The annual fee for a fish and wildlife lands vehicle use permit, if purchased separately, is ten dollars. A person to whom the department has issued a vehicle use permit or who has purchased a vehicle use permit separately may purchase additional vehicle use permits from the department at a cost of five dollars per vehicle use permit. Revenue derived from the sale of fish and wildlife lands vehicle use permits shall be used solely for the stewardship and maintenance of department improved access facilities.
     Youth groups may use department improved access facilities without possessing a vehicle use permit when accompanied by a vehicle use permit holder.
     (2) The vehicle use permit must be displayed from the interior of the motor vehicle so that it is clearly visible from outside of the motor vehicle before entering upon or using the motor vehicle on a department improved access facility. The vehicle use permit can be transferred between two vehicles and must contain space for the vehicle license numbers of each vehicle.
     (3) Failure to display the fish and wildlife lands vehicle use permit if required by this section is an infraction under chapter 7.84 RCW, and department employees are authorized to issue a notice of infraction to the registered owner of any motor vehicle entering upon or using a department improved access facility without such a vehicle use permit. The penalty for failure to clearly display the vehicle use permit is sixty-six dollars. This penalty is reduced to thirty dollars if the registered owner provides proof to the court that he or she purchased a vehicle use permit within fifteen days after the issuance of the notice of violation.
     (4) The fees and penalties specified in this section are subject to adjustment by the commission under section 1 of this act.

Sec. 6   RCW 77.32.430 and 2005 c 192 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Catch record card information is necessary for proper management of the state's food fish and game fish species and shellfish resources. Catch record card administration shall be under rules adopted by the commission. There is no charge for an initial catch record card. Each subsequent or duplicate catch record card costs ten dollars.
     (2) A license to take and possess Dungeness crab is only valid in Puget Sound waters east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line if the fisher has in possession a valid catch record card officially endorsed for Dungeness crab. The endorsement shall cost no more than three dollars, including any or all fees authorized under RCW 77.32.050, when purchased for a personal use saltwater, combination, or shellfish and seaweed license. The endorsement shall cost no more than one dollar, including any or all fees authorized under RCW 77.32.050, when purchased for a temporary combination fishing license authorized under RCW 77.32.470(3)(a).
     (3) Catch record cards issued with affixed temporary short-term charter stamp licenses are not subject to the ten-dollar charge nor to the Dungeness crab endorsement fee provided for in this section. Charter boat or guide operators issuing temporary short-term charter stamp licenses shall affix the stamp to each catch record card issued before fishing commences. Catch record cards issued with a temporary short-term charter stamp are valid for one day.
     (4) The department shall include provisions for recording marked and unmarked salmon in catch record cards issued after March 31, 2004.
     (5) The funds received from the sale of catch record cards and the Dungeness crab endorsement must be deposited into the wildlife ((fund)) account. The funds received from the Dungeness crab endorsement may be used only for the sampling, monitoring, and management of catch associated with the Dungeness crab recreational fisheries. Moneys allocated under this section shall supplement and not supplant other federal, state, and local funds used for Dungeness crab recreational fisheries management.
     (6) The fees specified in this section are subject to adjustment by the commission under section 1 of this act.

Sec. 7   RCW 77.32.450 and 2005 c 140 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) A big game hunting license is required to hunt for big game. A big game license allows the holder to hunt for forest grouse, unclassified wildlife, and the individual species identified within a specific big game combination license package. Each big game license includes one transport tag for each species purchased in that package. A hunter may not purchase more than one license for each big game species except as authorized by rule of the commission. The fees for annual big game combination packages are as follows:
     (a) Big game number 1: Deer, elk, bear, and cougar. The fee for this license is sixty-six dollars for residents, six hundred sixty dollars for nonresidents, and thirty-three dollars for youth.
     (b) Big game number 2: Deer and elk. The fee for this license is fifty-six dollars for residents, five hundred sixty dollars for nonresidents, and twenty-eight dollars for youth.
     (c) Big game number 3: Deer or elk, bear, and cougar. At the time of purchase, the holder must identify either deer or elk. The fee for this license is forty-six dollars for residents, four hundred sixty dollars for nonresidents, and twenty-three dollars for youth.
     (d) Big game number 4: Deer or elk. At the time of purchase, the holder must identify either deer or elk. The fee for this license is thirty-six dollars for residents, three hundred sixty dollars for nonresidents, and eighteen dollars for youth.
     (e) Big game number 5: Bear and cougar. The fee for this license is twenty dollars for residents, two hundred dollars for nonresidents, and ten dollars for youth.
     (2) In the event that the commission authorizes a two animal big game limit, the fees for the second animal are as follows:
     (a) Elk: The fee is twenty dollars for residents, two hundred dollars for nonresidents, and ten dollars for youth.
     (b) Deer: The fee is twenty dollars for residents, two hundred dollars for nonresidents, and ten dollars for youth.
     (c) Bear: The fee is ten dollars for residents, one hundred dollars for nonresidents, and five dollars for youth.
     (d) Cougar: The fee is ten dollars for residents, one hundred dollars for nonresidents, and five dollars for youth.
     (3) In the event that the commission authorizes a special permit hunt for goat, sheep, or moose, the permit fees are as follows:
     (a) Mountain goat: The fee is one hundred dollars for residents, one thousand dollars for nonresidents, and fifty dollars for youth.
     (b) Sheep: The fee is one hundred dollars for residents, one thousand dollars for nonresidents, and fifty dollars for youth.
     (c) Moose: The fee is one hundred dollars for residents, one thousand dollars for nonresidents, and fifty dollars for youth.
     (4) Multiple season big game permit: The commission may, by rule, offer permits for hunters to hunt deer or elk during more than one general season. Only one deer or elk may be harvested annually under a multiple season big game permit. The fee is one hundred fifty dollars for residents and one thousand five hundred dollars for nonresidents.
     (5) Authorization to hunt the species set out under subsection (3)(a) through (c) of this section or in multiple seasons as set out in subsection (4) of this section is by special permit issued under RCW 77.32.370.
     (6) The commission may adopt rules to reduce the price of a license or eliminate the transportation tag requirements concerning bear or cougar when necessary to meet harvest objectives.
     (7) The fees specified in this section are subject to adjustment by the commission under section 1 of this act.

Sec. 8   RCW 77.32.460 and 2006 c 15 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) A small game hunting license is required to hunt for all classified wild animals and wild birds, except big game. A small game license also allows the holder to hunt for unclassified wildlife.
     (a) The fee for this license is thirty dollars for residents, one hundred fifty dollars for nonresidents, and fifteen dollars for youth.
     (b) The fee for this license if purchased in conjunction with a big game combination license package is sixteen dollars for residents, eighty dollars for nonresidents, and eight dollars for youth.
     (c) The fee for a three-consecutive-day small game license is fifty dollars for nonresidents.
     (2) In addition to a small game license, a turkey tag is required to hunt for turkey.
     (a) The fee for a primary turkey tag is fourteen dollars for residents and forty dollars for nonresidents. A primary turkey tag will, on request, be issued to the purchaser of a youth small game license at no charge.
     (b) The fee for each additional turkey tag is fourteen dollars for residents, sixty dollars for nonresidents, and nine dollars for youth.
     (c) All moneys received from turkey tags must be deposited in the state wildlife account. One-third of the moneys received from turkey tags must be appropriated solely for the purposes of turkey management. An additional one-third of the moneys received from turkey tags must be appropriated solely for upland game bird management. Moneys received from turkey tags may not supplant existing funds provided for these purposes.
     (3) The fees specified in this section are subject to adjustment by the commission under section 1 of this act.

Sec. 9   RCW 77.32.470 and 2005 c 192 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) A personal use saltwater, freshwater, combination, temporary, or family fishing weekend license is required for all persons fifteen years of age or older to fish for or possess fish taken for personal use from state waters or offshore waters.
     (2) The fees for annual personal use saltwater, freshwater, or combination licenses are as follows:
     (a) A combination license allows the holder to fish for or possess fish, shellfish, and seaweed from state waters or offshore waters. The fee for this license is thirty-six dollars for residents, seventy-two dollars for nonresidents, and five dollars for youth.
     (b) A saltwater license allows the holder to fish for or possess fish taken from saltwater areas. The fee for this license is eighteen dollars for residents, thirty-six dollars for nonresidents, and five dollars for resident seniors.
     (c) A freshwater license allows the holder to fish for, take, or possess food fish or game fish species in all freshwater areas. The fee for this license is twenty dollars for residents, forty dollars for nonresidents, and five dollars for resident seniors.
     (3)(a) A temporary combination fishing license is valid for one to five consecutive days and allows the holder to fish for or possess fish, shellfish, and seaweed taken from state waters or offshore waters. The fee for this temporary fishing license is:
     (i) One day - Seven dollars for residents and fourteen dollars for nonresidents;
     (ii) Two days - Ten dollars for residents and twenty dollars for nonresidents;
     (iii) Three days - Thirteen dollars for residents and twenty-six dollars for nonresidents;
     (iv) Four days - Fifteen dollars for residents and thirty dollars for nonresidents; and
     (v) Five days - Seventeen dollars for residents and thirty-four dollars for nonresidents.
     (b) The fee for a charter stamp is seven dollars for a one-day temporary combination fishing license for residents and nonresidents for use on a charter boat as defined in RCW 77.65.150.
     (c) A transaction fee to support the automated licensing system will be taken from the amounts set forth in this subsection for temporary licenses.
     (d) Except for active duty military personnel serving in any branch of the United States armed forces, the temporary combination fishing license is not valid on game fish species for an eight-consecutive-day period beginning on the opening day of the lowland lake fishing season.
     (4) A family fishing weekend license allows for a maximum of six anglers: One resident and five youth; two residents and four youth; or one resident, one nonresident, and four youth. This license allows the holders to fish for or possess fish taken from state waters or offshore waters. The fee for this license is twenty dollars. This license is only valid during periods as specified by rule of the department.
     (5) The commission may adopt rules to create and sell combination licenses for all hunting and fishing activities at or below a fee equal to the total cost of the individual license contained within any combination.
     (6) The fees specified in this section are subject to adjustment by the commission under section 1 of this act.

Sec. 10   RCW 77.65.480 and 1991 sp.s. c 7 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) A taxidermy license allows the holder to practice taxidermy for profit. The fee for this license is one hundred eighty dollars.
     (2) A fur dealer's license allows the holder to purchase, receive, or resell raw furs for profit. The fee for this license is one hundred eighty dollars.
     (3) A fishing guide license allows the holder to offer or perform the services of a professional guide in the taking of game fish. The fee for this license is one hundred eighty dollars for a resident and six hundred dollars for a nonresident.
     (4) A game farm license allows the holder to operate a game farm to acquire, breed, grow, keep, and sell wildlife under conditions prescribed by the rules adopted pursuant to this title. The fee for this license is seventy-two dollars for the first year and forty-eight dollars for each following year.
     (5) A game fish stocking permit allows the holder to release game fish into the waters of the state as prescribed by rule of the commission. The fee for this permit is twenty-four dollars.
     (6) A fishing or field trial permit allows the holder to promote, conduct, hold, or sponsor a fishing or field trial contest in accordance with rules of the commission. The fee for a fishing contest permit is twenty-four dollars. The fee for a field trial contest permit is twenty-four dollars.
     (7) An anadromous game fish buyer's license allows the holder to purchase or sell steelhead trout and other anadromous game fish harvested by Indian fishermen lawfully exercising fishing rights reserved by federal statute, treaty, or executive order, under conditions prescribed by rule of the director. The fee for this license is one hundred eighty dollars.
     (8) The fees specified in this section are subject to adjustment by the commission under section 1 of this act.