Washington State will increase hunting and fishing license fees by 38% starting July 1st, the first increase since 2011. The hike, proposed by Senator Marko Liias to address a $16 billion budget shortfall, aims to preserve the state’s natural landscape. Critics argue the increase, which will impact families relying on hunting and fishing for food, could be mitigated by alternative funding sources.

The Center Square reports:

For the first time in over a decade, families that hunt and fish to put food on the table will see the price of that license increase on July 1 — a 38% “inflationary adjustment” — raising the average cost by more than $16.

The Washington State Legislature gave its final approval on Wednesday after House Democrats passed Senate Bill 5583 off the floor without any amendments. Supporters argue that the hike is necessary to preserve the state’s natural landscape, but critics point the blame at Democrat spending.

Sen. Marko Liias, D-Edmonds, proposed the 38% jump amid a $16 billion shortfall. The majority turned to tax increases to fill the gap, hoping to avoid cuts that Republicans favor to keep the cost of living down.

Representing the largest, most rural district, Rep. Hunter Abell, R-Inchelium, said the “sticker shock” from the first increase since 2011 could make it harder for people to feed their families.

“My district is unique,” Abell testified on the House floor. “For many of my constituents, hunting and fishing is not just a form of cultural activity or an activity you do for fun or for a hobby. It’s a matter of subsistence. It’s a matter of putting food on the table for the family members.”

Democrats rejected amendments that would have phased in the increase by 2029, maintained the current prices for low-income individuals, eliminated future surcharges, increased bag limits, granted free licenses to veterans and allocated a portion of the revenue to wildlife studies.

According to the final bill report, the average increase across the eight types of licenses will cost $16.34. The most significant change is to the package with tags for deer, elk, bear and cougar, which currently costs residents $85 but will rise to $117.30 in July 2025, a $32.30 jump.

A combination fishing license, valid for saltwater and freshwater fishing, currently costs $45.50 and will soon increase to $62.49, a $17.29 difference. Conservation Northwest, a nonprofit that restores native habitats, says SB 5583 addresses a “compounding challenge.”

“Costs have outpaced revenues for too long,” CNW Communications Manager Andrea Wolf told The Center Square. “At the same time, this underscores the urgent need for more stable, diversified funding to support an agency that serves all Washingtonians.”

Wolf said the fees will hit some families harder and reaffirmed a commitment to working with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to identify a way to reduce the burden in the future.

Senior citizens, or individuals at least 70 years old, will pay reduced rates under SB 5583. Liias included a provision that offers them a 66% discount. Under that rate, seniors would pay $39.88 for the standard big game combination package and $21.39 for the combination fishing license.

The Senate passed SB 5583 last month with a 25-24 vote that saw five Democrats break from the majority to vote with Republicans against the 38% increase. Seven others from the majority also voted with House Republicans against it on Wednesday, passing by a 51-46 floor vote.

Rep. Mia Gregerson, D-SeaTac, said Republicans aren’t alone; her family also hunts and fishes.

“Over 31 million people since 2020 have enjoyed these activities,” Gregerson said, “but inflation does continue to go up. These fees have not gone up. It is time to do that. We are in a budget crisis, and we do need to tighten our belts and be responsible, and this is part of that.”

Despite bipartisan opposition, enough of the majority held strong, driving SB 5583 across the finish line. Assuming Gov. Bob Ferguson signs the bill into law, hunters and fishers will face the first fee increase since 2011, potentially pushing the sports out of reach for some families who use it to put food on the table.

Rep. Jim Walsh introduced House Bill 2076, which would create the Washington Department of Government Efficiency (WA DOGE) to audit state agencies and identify inefficiencies. The proposed department, inspired by President Trump’s federal DOGE, would withhold 6% of agency funding pending review and could reapportion funds if agencies fail to cooperate. Walsh acknowledges the bill’s challenges in the current session but hopes it will gain traction in the next session or as a potential initiative.

The Center Square reports:

Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, has introduced House Bill 2076 that would create the Washington Department of Government Efficiency, or WA DOGE, to identify outdated rules, eliminate waste and crack down on agencies operating beyond their legal authority.

The proposed department is inspired by President Donald Trump’s federal Department of Government Efficiency helmed by Elon Musk.

On Saturday, HB 2076 was referred to the House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee.

Walsh, who also serves as the chair of the Washington State Republican Party, is not holding his breath that his bill will advance this session as majority party Democrats focus on revenue-generating proposals to fill a projected $16 billion operating budget shortfall over the next four years.

“The WA DOGE bill creates a temporary agency within state government, and the purpose of the agency is to do a really thorough audit of agencies,” he said. “Think in terms of Department of Ecology, L&I, Department of Commerce, Department of Health.”

The Center Square emailed the office of Rep. Sharlett Mena, D-Tacoma, who chairs the House Government & Tribal Relations Committee, to inquire if the bill would receive a public hearing, but it did not receive a response.

During a Tuesday interview, Walsh said Republicans are aware of inefficiencies in state agencies that should be addressed immediately, especially given that most Democrats are suggesting huge tax increases are unavoidable to balance the budget.

“Volunteer agencies, some using the DOGE name, have already been digging in,” said Walsh, who noted early findings show plenty of room for improvement. “Things that look like crony capitalism, grant grifting, these sorts of things.”

For example, what started out as a spontaneous on-air comment by KVI conservative radio talk show host Ari Hoffman has turned into “Washington State DOGE,” where everyday citizens can act as watchdogs.

Walsh said WA DOGE, as crafted in HB 2076, would operate much differently than Trump’s DOGE.

“At the federal level, DOGE is an advisory agency to the president. The WA DOGE agency is a legislative creature, and it operates under the wing of the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee, and the proposal gives the state agency a little more real teeth than the federal one,” he noted. “Federal DOGE just researches and then reports, and it’s up to the President to take action. WA DOGE gives the state more power.”

Walsh explained that HB 2076, as drafted, withholds some agency funding pending the outcome of WA DOGE investigations.

“It withholds 6% of each of the state agencies budgets for the upcoming two-year cycle in reserve, in kind of an escrow account, pending the completion of the WA DOGE review of that agency’s operations,” he said. “If it passes, then the 6% gets released back to the agency. If it doesn’t cooperate and participate, and it doesn’t pass the review, then the 6% stays withheld and could be reapportioned.”

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