Signed by Governor Jay Inslee

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with senate amendments and pass a bill that increases the catch limit for bass, walleye, and catfish.

Highlights:

• Requires the state conservation commission to adopt rules to liberalize bag limits for bass, walleye, and channel catfish in all anadromous waters of the state in order to reduce the predation risk to salmon smolts (Sec. 2).

• Requires the state conservation commission and the Departments of Agriculture, Natural Resources, Fish and Wildlife, and Ecology to jointly identify and assess three demonstration projects that test the efficacy and costs of river management by using various management strategies and techniques for the following goals, including the (Sec. 13):

• Protection of agricultural lands;

• Restoration or enhancement of fish runs; and

• Protection of public infrastructure and recreational access.

• Requires the state conservation commission to coordinate the development of a report to the legislative committees, with the oversight of agriculture, water, rural economic development, ecology, fish and wildlife, and natural resources, by December 31, 2020 (Sec. 13).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass with amendment a bill that increases the catch limit for bass, walleye, and catfish.

Highlights:

• Requires the state conservation commission to adopt rules to liberalize bag limits for bass, walleye, and channel catfish in all anadromous waters of the state in order to reduce the predation risk to salmon smolts (Sec. 2).

• Requires the state conservation commission and the Departments of Agriculture, Natural Resources, Fish and Wildlife, and Ecology to jointly identify and assess three demonstration projects that test the efficacy and costs of river management by using various management strategies and techniques for the following goals, including the (Sec. 13):

• Protection of agricultural lands;

• Restoration or enhancement of fish runs; and

• Protection of public infrastructure and recreational access.

• Requires the state conservation commission to coordinate the development of a report to the legislative committees, with the oversight of agriculture, water, rural economic development, ecology, fish and wildlife, and natural resources, by December 31, 2020 (Sec. 13).

Full Bill Text