The bill aims to recognize judicially affirmed and treaty-reserved fishing rights while promoting cooperative agreements between the state and tribes for the management of salmon, trout, and steelhead resources. It identifies inconsistencies between existing law, specifically chapter 77.110 RCW, and these rights, as well as conflicts with established state-tribal cooperative fishery management agreements. To address these issues and maintain commitments to Pacific Northwest tribes, the bill proposes the repeal of chapter 77.110 RCW.

As part of this legislative change, several specific sections of RCW 77.110 are repealed, including the declaration of fishing rights, petitions to Congress, state policy on natural resource management, and provisions related to the denial of rights based on race, sex, origin, or cultural heritage. The bill emphasizes the importance of aligning state law with tribal rights and cooperative management practices to avoid legal confusion and strengthen relationships with tribal communities.