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Senate extends leader‑license exemption for youth fishing outings to 14‑ and 15‑year‑olds, passes HB 125 to third reading
Summary
HB 125 expands an existing leader‑license exception so that youth groups (e.g., Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts) may include 14‑ and 15‑year‑olds under a leader's fishing license; senators debated whether the change undermines teaching fee responsibility before the Senate voted to read it for third time (22‑5‑2).
Senator Shiozawa presented House Bill 125, which increases the age for youth groups fishing under a leader’s license from 14 to include 14‑ and 15‑year‑olds. The sponsor said the change was crafted to reach 14‑ and 15‑year‑olds who may not otherwise have access to a one‑day fishing opportunity.
Opponents, including Senator Dayton and Senator Hilliard, argued that the bill removes an opportunity to teach personal responsibility and that the licensing cost is small ($5 for younger youths). Supporters responded that the provision is intended to give occasional opportunities to youth who otherwise lack access and that the oversight agency (Division of Wildlife Resources) testified it was comfortable with minimal fiscal impacts.
After floor debate and several senators explaining their votes, the Senate voted to read HB 125 for a third time: the chair announced 22 yay votes, 5 nay votes and 2 absent. The bill will proceed through the legislative calendar for further consideration.
