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Committee approves hike to nonresident Smith River bonus fee, 10–2 roll call
Summary
The Senate Fish and Game Committee approved SB257, raising the nonresident Smith River bonus-points fee from $50 to $125 after debate about fairness, maintenance costs and whether higher fees could reduce participation; roll-call vote 10–2 sends the bill to the floor.
The Senate Fish and Game Committee voted 10–2 to advance Senate Bill 257 to the Senate floor after approving an increase in the nonresident Smith River bonus-points fee from $50 to $125.
Casey, a committee staff member, summarized the bill as “revising the cost for nonresident Smith River bonus points from $50 to a $125.” During discussion, Senator Nolan asked why the amount jumped to $125 rather than a smaller increase and sought the basis for the calculation. Senator Ellsworth said the Smith River “is highly used by nonresidents” and that charging nonresidents more makes sense to help cover maintenance and protect the environment.
One member referenced that the commission had previously capped nonresident permits on the Smith River at 10 percent; another senator noted there are roughly 20,000 applicants vying for about 1,100 permits, though the number of those permits allocated to nonresidents was not specified in the discussion. Committee members expressed conflicting views: some supported the hike to shift more cost to nonresidents, while others warned a higher fee might reduce revenue or access.
The committee conducted a roll-call vote and the clerk recorded 10 yes and 2 no; Chair Logie announced that SB257 moves on to the floor.
Next steps: SB257 will be scheduled for floor consideration. The committee did not provide a detailed revenue estimate or breakout of how additional fee revenue would be spent during the meeting.
