HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2003
As Reported by House Committee On:
Appropriations
Title: An act relating to the Columbia river recreational salmon and steelhead endorsement program.
Brief Description: Concerning the Columbia river recreational salmon and steelhead endorsement program.
Sponsors: Representatives Reeves, Fitzgibbon and Pollet.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Appropriations: 2/24/25, 2/26/25 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requires a Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement for any person 15 years or older to fish recreationally for salmon or steelhead in the Columbia River and its tributaries.
  • Creates the Columbia River Recreation Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement Program Account.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by 19 members:Representatives Ormsby, Chair; Gregerson, Vice Chair; Macri, Vice Chair; Berg, Bergquist, Callan, Cortes, Doglio, Fitzgibbon, Leavitt, Lekanoff, Peterson, Pollet, Ryu, Springer, Stonier, Street, Thai and Tharinger.
Minority Report: Do not pass.Signed by 12 members:Representatives Couture, Ranking Minority Member; Connors, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Penner, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Schmick, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Burnett, Caldier, Corry, Dye, Keaton, Manjarrez, Marshall and Rude.
Staff: Dan Jones (786-7118).
Background:

Beginning in 2010 any person 15 years or older fishing recreationally for salmon or steelhead in the Columbia River and its tributaries was required to purchase a Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement (Endorsement).  Revenue from the Endorsement went into a Columbia River Recreational Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement Program Account (Account), and was used for salmon and steelhead fishing opportunities on the Columbia River and its tributaries. 

 

The Endorsement and Account expired on June 30, 2019.  At the time of expiration, the cost of the Endorsement was $7.50 for residents and nonresidents, and $6 for youth and seniors.
Summary of Bill:

A Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement (Endorsement) is required for any person 15 years or older to fish recreationally for salmon or steelhead in the Columbia River and its tributaries.  The cost of the Endorsement is $7.50 for residents and nonresidents, and $6 for youth and seniors.

 

The Columbia River Recreational Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement Program Account (Account) is created, and receives revenue from the Endorsement.  Expenditures from the Account may only be used to facilitate recreational salmon and steelhead selective fishing opportunities on the Columbia River and its tributaries, including scientific monitoring and evaluation, data collection, permitting, reporting, and enforcement.  Only the Director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife or the Director's designee may authorize expenditures, and appropriations are not required for expenditures.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect on January 1, 2026.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) None. 

 

(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: None.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.