Bill > SB5599

This bill modifies existing Washington state law regarding emerging commercial fisheries by updating reporting requirements and establishing a process for creating new commercial fishing licenses. Specifically, the bill requires that within five years of adopting rules for an emerging commercial fishery, the director must provide a report to legislative committees detailing the fishery's status and recommending whether a separate commercial fishing license or limited harvest program should be established. The report must include comprehensive information about the fishery's program, benefits to commercial fishers, effectiveness of selective fishing gear, and efforts to manage wild and hatchery fish. If the director recommends establishing a separate commercial fishery license, the bill mandates that such a license must be created according to the recommendation. The bill also provides provisions for converting existing limited entry commercial salmon fishing licenses to the new fishery and ensures that current experimental license holders can transition to the new commercial fishery license. Importantly, the bill stipulates that establishing a new license will not increase the total number of Puget Sound commercial fishing licenses.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5599&Year=2025&Initiative=false