HOUSE BILL REPORT

EHB 1231

As Amended by the Senate

BYRepresentatives R. King, S. Wilson, Hargrove and Fuhrman

Modifying procedures regarding disposal of skins and furs.

House Committe on Fisheries & Wildlife

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendment.  (11)

      Signed by Representatives R. King, Chair; Morris, Vice Chair; S. Wilson, Ranking Republican Member; Basich, Bowman, Brooks, Cole, Haugen, Smith, Spanel and Vekich.

House Staff:Pamela Madson (786-7310)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 24, 1989

BACKGROUND:

The director of the Department of Wildlife has authority to dispose of wildlife that is destroying or injuring real or personal property.  Property owners may remove or destroy animals that are causing damage with the assistance of the department, or department employees may dispose of the animals.  Hot spot hunts are usually used for bear outside of the usual season and hunting area.  These hunts involve hunters with hounds that are capable of taking the animal.

The director of the Wildlife Department is required to sell skins and furs by public auction at a designated time and place that are taken by or in possession of the department.  The skins and hides from department hot spot hunts or from department trappers are sold through organized auctions like the Seattle Fur Exchange or the annual Washington State Trappers' Association auction.  The number of skins sold and the money received for them do not cover costs of storage, preparation (particularly in the case of beaver hides), and auction fees.

SUMMARY:

The director of the Department of Wildlife is no longer required to sell skins and furs at public auction.

EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENTS:  The proceeds from the sale of any destructive wildlife in addition to skins and furs taken by the department shall be deposited in the wildlife fund.

Fiscal Note:      No Impact.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Jim King, Washington State Hound Council; John Gillespie, Washington Department of Wildlife.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Requiring skins and furs to be disposed of by public auction may actually cost the agency money because of storage costs and costs of preparing hides for selling.  In exchange for assisting the department in hot spot hunts, hunters could keep the animal hides.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.

VOTE ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Yeas 88; Absent 4; Excused 6

Absent:     Representatives Basich, Cantwell, Gallagher and Locke

Excused:    Representatives Brough, Chandler, Day, Dellwo, Hankins and Wang