Bill > HB1806

This bill aims to ensure that commercial fishing communities in Washington state, particularly those in rural, coastal areas of southwest Washington, directly benefit from the taxes paid by commercial fishers. Currently, commercial fishers pay an "enhanced food fish excise tax" (known as the "landing tax") to the state, which does not directly support the communities where the fishing occurs. The bill modifies existing law to require that 50 percent of the tax collected from landing enhanced food fish be distributed to the city or county where the fish was first possessed after being landed. This applies to taxes collected on anadromous game fish and salmon from ocean waters, Columbia River, Willapa Bay, and Grays Harbor. The legislation recognizes the importance of commercial fishing to these communities and seeks to provide them with additional resources to support public safety services and transportation infrastructure. The changes will take effect on January 1, 2027, giving municipalities time to prepare for the new revenue allocation method.

Budget and Finance

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1806&Year=2025&Initiative=false