The bill amends various sections of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) concerning recreational fishing and hunting licenses, introducing several key changes. It raises the maximum price for raffle tickets from $25 to $30 and increases the age for youth hunting and fishing from 15 to 16 years old. Additionally, it mandates that five percent of the revenue from small game hunting licenses be deposited into the eastern Washington pheasant enhancement account. The bill also establishes new reporting requirements for licensees, imposing administrative penalties for non-compliance, and requires hunters who failed to report their wildlife harvests in the previous year to complete a report and pay any penalties before obtaining a new license.

Further amendments include the introduction of a supplemental migratory bird permit for individuals aged 16 and older, updated fee structures for various hunting and fishing licenses, and a one-time discount of up to $20 for first-time resident hunters who have completed the Washington hunter education training program. The bill also restructures fees for turkey tags, allocating two-thirds of the revenue for turkey or upland game bird management. It allows the commission to establish a surcharge on all fees to cover increased operating costs and permits the creation of combination licenses for hunting and fishing. Most provisions of the bill will take effect on July 1, 2025, while the surcharge provision will take effect on September 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 77.08.010, 77.12.810, 77.12.820, 77.32.155, 77.32.350, 77.32.370, 77.32.430, 77.32.440, 77.32.450, 77.32.470, 77.32.480, 77.32.520, 77.32.570, 77.32.575
Substitute Bill: 77.08.010, 77.12.810, 77.12.820, 77.32.155, 77.32.350, 77.32.370, 77.32.430, 77.32.440, 77.32.450, 77.32.470, 77.32.480, 77.32.520, 77.32.570, 77.32.575
Bill as Passed Legislature: 77.08.010, 77.12.810, 77.12.820, 77.32.155, 77.32.350, 77.32.370, 77.32.430, 77.32.440, 77.32.450, 77.32.470, 77.32.480, 77.32.520, 77.32.570, 77.32.575
Session Law: 77.08.010, 77.12.810, 77.12.820, 77.32.155, 77.32.350, 77.32.370, 77.32.430, 77.32.440, 77.32.450, 77.32.470, 77.32.480, 77.32.520, 77.32.570, 77.32.575