FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 2293

                                   C 35 L 90

BYHouse Committee on Fisheries & Wildlife (originally sponsored by Representatives R. King, Bowman, Sayan, Morris, Brumsickle, Basich, Brooks, Spanel, Smith, Day, Leonard, D. Sommers, Youngsman, Cole, P. King and Wood; by request of Department of Fisheries)

Authorizing the department of fisheries to issue group fishing permits to state-licensed or state-operated care facilities.

House Committe on Fisheries & Wildlife

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

Western State Hospital and other facilities that care for the aged, handicapped, and mentally ill have requested that the Department of Fisheries issue a group fishing permit to permit the patients of the facility to fish for food fish in supervised groups without individual licenses.  The Department of Wildlife has authority to issue a group license to these facilities for game fish.  The Department of Fisheries does not have this authority.

SUMMARY:

Physically or mentally handicapped persons, hospital patients, mentally ill persons, and senior citizens who are under the care of a state-operated or licensed care facility may fish for food fish and shellfish without individual licenses under certain conditions.  The fishing may only be occasional, and must be done as part of a supervised group.  The care facility will hold the permit issued by the director of the Department of Fisheries.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 96   0

      Senate    46     0

EFFECTIVE:March 13, 1990