SB1509 - Relating to Columbia River fisheries; declaring an emergency.

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The Act stops the lottery for Columbia River gillnet fishing permits. The Act directs an agency to start a work group to make suggestions on creating a program for buying the permits from willing sellers. The Act directs the agency to report on the suggestions of the work group on a due date. The Act goes into effect when the Governor signs it. (Flesch Readability Score: 61.9). [Digest: The Act stops the lottery for Columbia River gillnet fishing permits. The Act directs an agency to create a short-term program for buying the permits from willing sellers. The Act directs an agency to report on a due date on creating a long-term version of the program. The Act goes into effect when the Governor signs it. (Flesch Readability Score: 63.2).] Eliminates the lottery for Columbia River gillnet vessel permits. [Directs the State Fish and Wildlife Commission to establish a Columbia River gillnet vessel permit purchase program that ends on January 2, 2026.] Directs the State Department of Fish and Wildlife to convene a work group to provide recommendations on a voluntary Columbia River gillnet vessel permit buyback program. Directs the department to report to [interim] committees of the Legislative Assembly that relate to natural resources, on or before [September] November 15, 2024, on [establishing a Columbia River gillnet vessel permit buyback program] the recommendations. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.