Not easy to track the process through the RCW and the WAC. Found the following 2 sections in WAC 220 - Fishing that appear to be applicable and tie back to RCW references giving the Commission/Director the authority to set licensing requirements.

220-55-015
Valid recreational license required.
It is unlawful for any person required to have a recreational license to take or possess fish, shellfish, seaweed, or wildlife for personal use without having in physical possession a valid license or a valid internet or telephone authorization number.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.32.050. WSR 00-11-178 (Order 00-80), § 220-55-015, filed 5/24/00, effective 6/24/00. Statutory Authority: 1998 c 191 and RCW 75.08.080. WSR 99-03-029 (Order 99-02), § 220-55-015, filed 1/13/99, effective 2/13/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 75.08.080. WSR 94-23-059 (Order 94-162), § 220-55-015, filed 11/14/94, effective 12/15/94; WSR 94-01-001, § 220-55-015, filed 12/1/93, effective 1/1/94; WSR 89-07-071 (Order 89-05), § 220-55-015, filed 3/20/89; WSR 79-09-021 (Order 79-58), § 220-55-015, filed 8/10/79.]

220-55-160
Free fishing weekend.
The Saturday and Sunday following the first Monday in June is declared to be free fishing weekend in Washington. On this weekend a fishing license is not required for any person, regardless of age or residency, to fish for or possess fish and shellfish and a fish and wildlife lands vehicle use permit is not required to utilize department parking facilities except that it is unlawful to fish for or possess any species for which a catch record is required without a valid catch record card in possession. Anglers may fish with two poles in all lakes where it is legal to do so without purchasing a two-pole endorsement, and may also fish in all open areas of the Columbia River and tributaries without purchasing a Columbia River endorsement. During free fishing weekend only the license, endorsements, and permit provided for in this section are affected, and all other rules including the catch record card requirement remain in effect.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.020 and 77.12.047. WSR 11-16-103 (Order 11-184), § 220-55-160, filed 8/3/11, effective 9/3/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047. WSR 06-13-023 (Order 06-135), § 220-55-160, filed 6/13/06, effective 7/14/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 75.08.080 and 77.12.040. WSR 99-08-029 (Order 99-13), § 220-55-160, filed 3/30/99, effective 5/1/99.]

All of the fishing regulations can be found in this link to WAC 220
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=220

BB I found the same on this after looking around. As to the APA BB nope they are gonna get there sorry ass hides nailed to the wall hopefully sooner than later.

Rather than cut and paste, one can look at the powers and duties of the Commission and Director in this part of RCW 77 as they can relate to the requirements for licenses, seasons, etc.

http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=77.04&full=true

One of my major concerns was/is the merging of the Dept of Fisheries and Dept of Game statutes at the time of merger. It would have been a good time to cut out unneeded/duplicative statutes and shortened/clarified the new RCW 77. It still needs to happen.

It was tried at least a couple of times. Without a lot of leadership support.

still needs to be on the table. the penalties need to be cleaned up, too, along with the license suspension process

Should be. But each separate integration/rule has its supporters or reasons. Would take some cooperation.

I agree. Took two years to get the Colorado re-write done. Cut out about 25% of the old statutes. There were legislators who were just sure we were trying to hide something, even when they had a page by page/side by side comparison.

It is my understanding that the "hack" on the Active system was apparently restricted to WA, OR, and ID license sales

I'm sure no legislators nor hunter/fishers here would be that suspicious of our WDFW.

I think the pool of folks suspicious of WDFW is significant larger than just some Legislators and hunters/fishers. Like comparing that kiddie wading pool in your backyard to an Olympic pool.

Here is an article of interest related to the hacking:

http://www.columbian.com/news/2016/aug/2...ense-purchases/

For the WAC

Concise Explanatory Statement
New Combination Licenses
Rules created as part of this rulemaking:
WAC 220-55-165 Reduced rate annual Fish Washington license, and license upgrades.
1. Background/Summary of Project:
a. To better serve our customers, the new rule was proposed to make the purchase process more convenient for residents and seniors as well as to allow residents an opportunity to upgrade from an annual freshwater, saltwater, or shellfish/seaweed license to an all-inclusive combination license.

2. Reasons for adopting the rule:
a. The department believes that combination fishing licenses it will increase participation in all angling activities, improve retention of customers, and grow revenue opportunities for the department.
b. Supporting information for the new rule:
i. Fish Washington: A survey was conducted to find out if customers would be likely to purchase a fishing combination package. Out of 7,024 responses, 54.7% stated they would be likely to purchase the package.
ii. Combination Upgrade: Pilot program for the upgrade was available in 2014 from May 21st – July 20th and led to over 2,000 upgrades sold.
iii. Senior Upgrade: 23% of residents purchase a combination license, but once they become seniors at age 70, they option is no longer available and the number seniors that purchase all components of the combination license (annual freshwater, saltwater, and shellfish/seaweed) drops to 11%.
3. Differences between the text of the proposed rule and the rule as adopted:
a. Change: Section one (1) add “residents”.
b. Change: Section two (2) remove “non-residents disabled vets”, remove “razor,” and add, “plus transaction and dealer fees. The director may limit the times of the year that this upgrade is made available for sale.”
c. Change: Section three (3) remove “seventy years of age and older”
4. Public comments, response to comments, and consideration of comments
a. Two public comments were received and both supported the proposed

and the rational

NEW SECTION
WAC 220-55-165 Reduced rate annual fish Washington license, and license upgrades. (1) There is hereby created an annual fish Washington license for residents that combines recreational freshwater and saltwater fishing, shellfish, and seaweed harvest privileges. The fee for the annual fish Washington license will not be priced higher than the sum of the individual items. The fish Washington license also includes the following: (a) The Columbia River salmon and steelhead endorsement; (b) A Puget Sound Dungeness Crab endorsement; and (c) A two-pole endorsement. (2) The director is authorized to allow any Washington state resident who has purchased an annual freshwater, saltwater, or shellfish/ seaweed license to upgrade to a combination license for the cost difference between his or her current annual fishing license(s) and the cost of the combination license, plus transaction and dealer fees. The director may limit the times of the year that this upgrade is made available for sale. (3) There is hereby created an annual senior combination recreation fishing license which includes freshwater and saltwater fishing, shellfish, and seaweed harvest privileges. The state fee for the annual senior combination fishing license will not be priced higher than the sum of the individual items and is available to any senior residents

and to finish off this:

Permanent Rules Filed (rules are effective 31 days after filing unless otherwise specified):



• New Combination Recreational Fishing Licenses
The department is considering new rules to establish new types of combination fishing licenses. Chapter 77.32 RCW allows the Fish and Wildlife Commission to set the period of validity for a license and to combine licenses to one license at a fee less than the cost of the combined licenses. Creating new combination fishing licenses will increase participation in all angling activities, improve retention of customers, and grow revenue opportunities for the department.

The Fish Washington license is being adopted as a "value added license package for recreational anglers". Purpose of this license is to create a one-stop shop license package that contain all fishing license privileges. The license is being requested based on input from recreation anglers and the dealer community.

Fark, who buys licenses anymore, as soon as the injuns do I will. I'm native American.

In common with.

Shaking my head tonight reading this "stuff" FUBAR> That Is All

Nice looking Dog.

Looks like the whole reason for the Fish Washington license is an opportunity to see how many bites they can get on early renewals at a small discount, before the grim reality of the year's fishing opportunities is made public each year. Sell us the premium package, then show us the small print a couple months later.

I buy my license when there is a fishery or hunt that I am able and want to participate in. Love waterfowl, but will be out of the hemisphere for the first part of the season so won't buy a license until I decide if it is worth it later.

With all the NOF bs that goes on it is amazing that anybody buys a license before at least knowing what the seasons and conditions are.

I understand your point but I had very good fishing in April and May, June might have been epic.