WSR 25-18-014
RULES OF COURT
STATE SUPREME COURT
[July 2, 2025]
IN THE MATTER OF THE SUGGESTED AMENDMENTS TO IRLJ 6.2—MONETARY PENALTY SCHEDULE FOR INFRACTIONS
)
)
)
)
ORDER
NO. 25700-A-1654
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, having recommended the adoption of the suggested amendments to IRLJ 6.2—Monetary Penalty Schedule for Infractions, and the Court having considered the suggested amendments, and having determined that the suggested amendments will aid in the prompt and orderly administration of justice;
Now, therefore, it is hereby
ordered:
(a) That the suggested amendments as shown below are adopted.
(b) That pursuant to the emergency provisions of GR 9 (j)(1), the suggested amendments will be expeditiously published in the Washington Reports and will become effective July 27, 2025.
dated at Olympia, Washington this 2nd day of July, 2025.
 
 
Stephens, C.J.
Johnson, J.
 
Yu, J.
Madsen, J.
 
Montoya-Lewis, J.
Gonzalez, J.
 
Whitener, J.
Gordon McCloud, J.
 
Mungia, J.
GENERAL RULE 9
RULE AMENDMENT COVER SHEET
PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO RULE IRLJ 6.2 (d)(5)
1. Proponent Organization: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
2. Spokesperson & Contact Info: Jeff Wickersham, Enforcement Captain; Jeffrey.wickersham@dfw.wa.gov; 509-254-1829
3. Purpose of Proposed Rule Amendment: Align infraction numbering and penalties with updates from SHB 1325, which amends RCW 77.15.160, and subsequently impacts the penalty schedule under IRLJ 6.2 (d)(5).
Changes Made?
Added new violations to IRLJ 6.2 (d)(5) from SHB 1325 (2025 session), added base penalty amounts for the new violations, and updated existing penalty amounts within the rule to align with legislative changes to RCW 77.15.160.
Is Expedited Consideration Requested?
Yes. SHB 1325 goes into effect July 27, 2025, and resulted in new or updated RCW violation codes. As such, almost all existing penalties have to be restated to align the numbering in the court rule with statute.
4. Is a Public Hearing Recommended? No. The substantive legal changes are required by statute.
Attachment:
IRLJ 6.2 (d)(5)—Fish and Wildlife Infractions (redline)
IRLJ 6.2(d)
MONETARY PENALTY SCHEDULE FOR
INFRACTIONS
(a)-(c) [Unchanged.]
(d) Penalty Schedule. The following infractions shall have the penalty listed, not including statutory assessments.
 
Base Penalty
(1)-(4) [Unchanged.]
 
 
(5) Fish and Wildlife Infractions
 
 
Fish for Personal Use—Barbed Hooks (RCW 77.15.160 (1)(a))
$29
$48
Fail to Immediately Record Fish/Shellfish on Catch Record Card (RCW 77.15.160 (1)(b))
$29
$48
Fail to Return Catch Record Card (RCW 77.15.160 (1)(c))
$29
 
Recreational Fishing—License not with Person (RCW 77.15.160 (1)(d)(i)(A))
$48
$87
Recreational Fishing—Rule Violation:
 
 
Involves Salmon or Steelhead (RCW 77.15.160 (1)(d)(ii)(AB)(I))
$87
$122
Involves Sturgeon (RCW 77.15.160 (1)(d)(ii)(B)(II))
$48
$87
Involves Game Fish (RCW 77.15.160 (1)(d)(ii)(CB)(III))
$48
$87
Involves Food Fish (RCW 77.15.160 (1)(d)(ii)(DB)(IV))
$38
$87
Involves Shellfish (RCW 77.15.160 (1)(d)(ii)(EB)(V))
$38
$74
Involves Unclassified Fish or Shellfish (RCW 15.160(1)(d)(ii)(FB)(VI))
$28
$87
Involves Waste of Food Fish, Game Fish or Shellfish (RCW 77.15.160 (1)(d)(ii)(GB)(VII)
$97
 
Seaweed—License not with Person (<2x daily limit) (RCW 77.15.160 (1)(e)(i))
$28
$87
Seaweed—Rule Violation (<2x daily limit) (RCW 77.15.160 (1)(e)(ii))
$28
$29
Hunting Wild Animals—Infraction no license on person except big game (RCW 77.15.160 (2)(a))
$48
$73
Harm Bird Eggs/Nests (not endangered/protected wild birds) (RCW 77.15.160 (2)(b))
$73
$87
Small Game Hunting InfractionsHunting Infractions for Wildlife, except big game:
 
 
Involves Unclassified Wildlife (RCW 77.15.160 (2)(c)(i))
$48
$73
Involves Small Game (RCW 77.15.160 (2)(c)(ii))
$73
$87
Involves Furbearers (RCW 77.15.160 (2)(c)(iii))
$73
$87
Involves Game Birds (RCW 77.15.160 (2)(c)(iv))
$87
 
Involves Wild birds (RCW 77.15.160 (2)(c)(v))
$73
$87
Involves Wild Animals (RCW 77.15.160 (2)(c)(vi))
$48
$87
Involves Waste of Small Game (RCW 77.15.160 (2)(c)(vii))
$97
$87
Taxidermist/Fur Dealer/Wildlife Meat Cutter—Fail to Maintain Records (RCW 77.15.160 (3)(a)(i))
$73
$87
Taxidermist/Fur Dealer/Wildlife Meat Cutter—Fail to Report Information (RCW 77.15.160 (3)(a)(ii))
$48
$87
Trapper—Fail to Report Trapping Activity (RCW 77.15.160 (3)(b))
$48
$87
Limited Fish Seller Infraction (RCW 77.15.160(4))
$73
$87
Invasive Species Infraction—No out-of-state certificate (RCW 77.15.160 (5)(a)(i))
$43
$87
Invasive Species Infraction—Clean and Drain Requirements (RCW 77.15.160 (5)(a)(ii))
$43
$87
Invasive Species Infraction—Fail to Obey Clean and Drain Order (RCW 77.15.160 (5)(a)(iii))
$87
 
Invasive Species Infraction—Fail to Possess aquatic invasive species prevention permit (RCW 77.15.160 (5)(a)(iv))
$43
$87
Big Game Infractions
 
 
Big Game—License not with Person (RCW 77.15.160 (6)(a))
$500
 
Big Game Rule Violation—Deer, Elk, Black Bear, Cougar (RCW 77.15.160 (6)(b))
$500
 
General Hunting Violations
 
 
Rifle/Shotgun violation—Live Rounds in Magazine (RCW 77.15.160 (7)(a))
$122
 
Discharge Firearm from or across maintained highway (RCW 77.15.160 (7)(b))
$122
 
Fail to properly notch a transport tag (RCW 77.15.160 (7)(c))
$122
 
Hydraulic Activities
 
 
Operate a motor vehicle in wetted portion of a streambed (RCW 77.15.160 (8)(a))
$122
 
Construct a rock dam or similar structure by hand that impedes fish movement (RCW 77.15.160 (8)(b))
$48
 
Department licensed guides
 
 
Failing to display department registration stickers as required (RCW 77.15.160 (9)(a))
$87
 
Fail to initiate, complete or submit guide logbooks a required (RCW 77.15.160 (9)(b))
 
 
Fishing Guide or Charter Boat operator violations
 
 
Guide or charter aids in commission of a recreational fishing infraction (RCW 77.15.160 (10)(a)(i))
$146
 
Guide or charter permits recreational fishing violation by a client (RCW 77.15.160 (10)(a)(ii))
$122
 
Other Infractions
 
 
Other Infractions—Unlawfully Conducting or Holding a Fishing Contest or Field Trial (RCW 77.15.160 (11)(6)(a))
$146
 
Other Infractions—Violate any other Department rule designated as an infraction (RCW 77.15.160 (11)(6)(b))
$73
$87
Other Infractions—Unlawfully posting signs (RCW 77.15.160 (11)(6)(c))
$122
 
Department Permits—Violates any Terms or Conditions (RCW 77.15.160 (11)(6)(d)(i))
$122
 
Department Permits - Violates any Department rule applicable to issuance or use of permits (RCW 77.15.160 (11)(d)(ii))
$122
 
Department Permits—Violates any commercial use or activityactive permits, noncommercial use or activityactive permits, or parking permits issued by the Department (RCW 77.15.160 (11)(d)(iii)(6)(d)(ii))
$122
 
Violate Distance/Feeding Prohibitions for Southern Resident Orca Whales (RCW 77.15.740)
$500
 
Negligently Feed/Attempt to Feed Large Wild Carnivores (RCW 77.15.790)
$500
 
Reviser's note: The typographical errors in the above material occurred in the copy filed by the state supreme court and appear in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.