The bill aims to promote youth engagement in fishing and shellfishing by eliminating financial barriers related to licensing. It raises the age requirement for obtaining a fishing license from 15 to 18 years, allowing more young individuals to participate in these activities without the burden of license fees. The bill also updates the definition of "youth" to encompass individuals aged 18 and under for fishing and under 16 for hunting. Additionally, it revises the fee structure for various fishing licenses, establishing a youth fishing license fee at $5, while adjusting fees for other licenses to reflect new pricing.

Moreover, the bill modifies the age requirement for personal use shellfish and seaweed licenses, increasing the minimum age from 15 to 18 years. It sets the annual fee for residents aged 18 and older at $10 and for nonresidents at $27, while also updating razor clam license fees. The legislation introduces a 50 cent surcharge for the temporary combination fishing license and associated charter stamp, which will support rockfish research. Furthermore, it allows the commission to create rules for combination licenses and the use of two fishing poles, with specific fees designated for the maintenance of state-owned fish hatcheries.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 77.08.010, 77.32.470, 77.32.520