HOUSE BILL REPORT

ESB 5478

BYSenators Amondson, Owen, Metcalf, Kreidler, DeJarnatt, McMullen and Smith

Creating a two-day steelhead punchcard.

House Committe on Fisheries & Wildlife

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendments.  (8)

      Signed by Representatives R. King, Chair; Morris, Vice Chair; Basich, Bowman, Cole, Smith, Spanel and Vekich.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (1)

      Signed by Representative Haugen.

House Staff:Robert Butts (786-7841)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES & WILDLIFE MARCH 31, 1989

BACKGROUND:

To fish for steelhead, a recreational angler needs a steelhead punchcard and, with several exceptions (e.g. elderly, disabled, children under 15), a game fish license.

The fee for an annual steelhead punchcard, which entitles the holder to 30 steelhead, is $15, plus a dealer fee.  If a person returns a steelhead punchcard by June 1, the person is entitled to a $5 credit towards that day's purchase of any license, permit, transport tag, punchcard, or stamp.

The fee for an annual fishing license is $14 for residents and $40 for non-residents.

A three-consecutive day fishing license also is available, which costs $7 for residents and $14 for non-residents.

With the current fee schedule, a resident who goes steelhead fishing once a year is required to pay $22 ($7 for a three-day license and $15 for a steelhead punchcard), while a non-resident is required to pay $29.

SUMMARY:

BILL AS AMENDED:  A three-consecutive day steelhead punchcard is created.  The fee for residents and non-residents is $10.  In addition to the punchcard, a game fish license is required. The catch limit for the punchcard shall be determined by rule, and more than one, three-day punchcards may be purchased a year.

The $5 credit given for annual $15 steelhead punchcards is not applicable for the three-day punchcards.

AMENDED BILL COMPARED TO ENGROSSED BILL:  The amendments changed the duration of the newly created punchcard from two to three days.

Fiscal Note:      Requested March 22, 1989.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Lee Smith, Department of Wildlife.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The temporary steelhead punchcard created in this bill will make it slightly less expensive for persons who want to go steelhead fishing for a day or two.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.