HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1020

BYRepresentatives L. Smith,  Ferguson, Beck, Doty and Padden

Providing for a five dollar limited steelhead punchcard.

House Committe on Natural Resources

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (11)

      Signed by Representatives Sutherland, Chair; K. Wilson, Vice Chair; Amondson, Beck, Bumgarner, Hargrove, R. King, Schmidt, C. Smith, B. Williams and S. Wilson.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (6)

      Signed by Representatives Belcher, Cole, Haugen, Meyers, Sayan and Spanel.

House Staff:Bill Koss (786-7129)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES MARCH 3, 1987

BACKGROUND:

In order to fish for steelhead, a person must have a fishing license and a steelhead punchcard.  Residents may purchase an annual license for $14, obtain a free license if they are under the age of 15 or are a senior citizen (and meet eligibility requirements), or buy a 3-day fishing license for $7.  Non-residents must pay $40 for an annual license and $14 for a 3-day license.  A steelhead punchcard costs $15 and entitles the holder to catch and retain up to 30 steelhead.

In the 1985/86 steelhead season, the Department sold approximately 121,500 steelhead punchcards.  One hundred thirty-seven thousand steelhead were caught by sports anglers.

SUMMARY:

SUBSTITUTE BILL:  Residents and non-residents may purchase a 1-day steelhead punchcard for $5.  This entitles the holder to catch and retain a maximum of five steelhead.  Juveniles under the age of 15 may purchase an annual punchcard for $5.  It also entitles the holder to catch and retain up to five steelhead.  A person may purchase more than one 1-day or juvenile punchcard per year.

One-day punchcards must be returned to the Department or a licensed dealer upon expiration.  No credit will be given for the return of the punchcard towards the purchase of a subsequent license, permit, tag, or stamp when the 1-day punchcard is returned.

Individuals purchasing a 1-day punchcard must possess a fishing license.

SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  The 3-day steelhead punchcard is changed to a 1-day steelhead punchcard.  The provision that a person fishing with a $5 steelhead punchcard does not need a fishing license is dropped.

Fiscal Note:      Attached.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Representative Linda Smith, Prime Sponsor; Bernie Jones, Citizen; and Dan Collins, Vancouver Bass Trackers.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Under current law, it is too expensive for a family to go steelheading -- $15 for an annual punchcard for each family member.  This lowers the cost, while still providing revenue to the Game Department and charges out-of-state residents more than state residents.  It may act as an incentive to encourage more fishing.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.