H-1699.1
SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1806
State of Washington
69th Legislature
2025 Regular Session
By House Finance (originally sponsored by Representatives Tharinger, McEntire, Lekanoff, Bernbaum, Ramel, Santos, Doglio, and Reed)
READ FIRST TIME 02/26/25.
AN ACT Relating to ensuring that commercial fishing revenue benefits communities most dependent on the industry; amending RCW 82.27.070 ; creating a new section; and providing an effective date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that commercial fishing is an important industry to Washington, and particularly to the rural, coastal communities of southwest Washington. Upon landing certain species of fish and shellfish, commercial fishers are subject to the enhanced food fish excise tax, also known as the "landing tax." Because the tax is paid to the state, it does not directly support the communities on which the industry depends. In order to serve the families residing in these communities, many of whom are active participants in the commercial fishing industry, municipalities need the resources to provide adequate public safety services and transportation infrastructure. The legislature intends to direct a portion of landing tax revenue to the communities that host this important industry and ensure that they directly benefit from the taxes paid by commercial fishers landing fish within their jurisdiction.
Sec. 2. RCW 82.27.070 and 2020 c 148 s 28 are each amended to read as follows: