AN ACT Relating to the Columbia river recreational salmon and steelhead endorsement program;
Summary
HB 2003 creates the Columbia River recreational salmon and steelhead endorsement program and ties it to an account in the custody of the state treasurer. Under the bill, money collected from endorsement purchases and gifts for the program must be deposited into that account, and the funds may be spent only to support recreational salmon and steelhead selective fishing opportunities on the Columbia River and its tributaries. Authorized uses include monitoring, hatchery production, pinniped removal, and enforcement. The bill also specifies that only the director of the department, or the director’s designee, may authorize spending from the account, and that no separate appropriation is required for expenditures.
Impact
The bill amends Washington law governing recreational fishing licenses and endorsements by adding a new Columbia River salmon and steelhead endorsement requirement for anglers age 15 and older fishing for salmon or steelhead in authorized Columbia River fisheries. It sets different endorsement prices for residents, nonresidents, youth, and seniors, creates a dedicated revenue account, and exempts that account from the normal appropriation requirement while still subjecting it to allotment procedures. The bill also requires the department and relevant stakeholders to review the program by December 31, 2030, and submit a summary and recommendation to the legislature, and the new sections expire January 1, 2031.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have received mixed but ultimately sufficient support. It passed the House and Senate, but several votes were relatively close, especially on House final passage and Senate floor passage, indicating meaningful division. The committee votes were more favorable than the floor votes, suggesting the policy was acceptable to many lawmakers but still controversial among a substantial minority.
Contention
The main point of contention is the creation of a new mandatory endorsement fee for Columbia River salmon and steelhead anglers, which affects both resident and nonresident recreational fishers and adds a cost on top of existing fishing licenses. Some opposition likely centered on whether anglers should bear the cost of habitat, enforcement, hatchery, and predator-removal-related management through a dedicated fee. Supporters appear to have favored the user-funded approach and the targeted use of revenue to maintain selective fishing opportunities and related management activities.