Washington State

House of Representatives

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BILL

ANALYSIS

Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee

HB 2636

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.

Brief Description: Concerning recordkeeping requirements of secondary commercial fish receivers.

Sponsors: Representatives Walkinshaw, Blake and Ryu; by request of Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Contracts the requirement that secondary fish receivers must keep certain records regarding fish and shellfish either with the fish or shellfish or at their principal place of business and specifies that the records may only be kept at the principal place of business if the fish or shellfish are no longer in the possession of the secondary fish receiver.

Hearing Date: 1/27/16

Staff: Jason Callahan (786-7117).

Background:

A person who sells fish or shellfish at retail, stores fish or shellfish, ships fish or shellfish, or serves as a broker for transactions involving fish or shellfish is considered to be a secondary fish receiver. To conduct these business transactions lawfully, a secondary fish receiver is required to maintain certain records. The records include identifying information for the person who provided the fish or shellfish, the unique tracking number relating to the fish or shellfish, and information relating to the date of purchase and the quantity and species purchased. These records must be kept at the location of where the fish or shellfish are being sold or held or at the principal place of business of the shipper or broker.

The crime of failure to account for commercial harvest by a secondary commercial fish receiver may be prosecuted if the secondary fish receiver fails to accurately maintain the required records or otherwise violates the duties of a secondary fish receiver. These violations are punishable as a misdemeanor.

Summary of Bill:

The requirement that secondary fish receivers must keep certain records regarding fish and shellfish either with the fish or shellfish or at their principal place of business is contracted to specify that the records may only be kept at the principal place of business if the fish or shellfish are no longer in the possession of the secondary fish receiver.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.