77.15.750 - Unlawful use of a department permit -- Penalty.

Unlawful use of a department permit — Penalty.

(1) A person is guilty of unlawful use of a department permit if the person:

     (a) Violates any terms or conditions of the permit issued by the department or the director; or

     (b) Violates any rule of the commission or the director applicable to the requirement for, issuance of, or use of the permit.

     (2)(a) Permits covered under subsection (1) of this section include, but are not limited to, master hunter permits, crab pot removal permits and shellfish pot removal permits under RCW 77.70.500, depredation permits, landowner hunting permits, commercial carp license permits, permits to possess or dispense beer or malt liquor pursuant to RCW 66.28.210, and permits to hold, sponsor, or attend an event requiring a banquet permit from the liquor control board.

     (b) Permits excluded from subsection (1) of this section include fish and wildlife lands vehicle use permits, commercial use or activity permits, noncommercial use or activity permits, parking permits, experimental fishery permits, trial commercial fishery permits, and scientific collection permits.

     (3) Unlawful use of a department permit is a misdemeanor.

     (4) A person is guilty of unlawful use of an experimental fishery permit or a trial commercial fishery permit if the person:

     (a) Violates any terms or conditions of the permit issued by the department or the director; or

     (b) Violates any rule of the commission or the director applicable to the issuance or use of the permit.

     (5) Unlawful use of an experimental fishery permit or a trial commercial fishery permit is a gross misdemeanor.

     (6) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

     (a) "Experimental fishery permit" means a permit issued by the director for either:

     (i) An "emerging commercial fishery," defined as a fishery for a newly classified species for which the department has determined that there is a need to limit participation; or

     (ii) An "expanding commercial fishery," defined as a fishery for a previously classified species in a new area, by a new method, or at a new effort level, for which the department has determined that there is a need to limit participation.

     (b) "Trial commercial fishery permit" means a permit issued by the department for trial harvest of a newly classified species or harvest of a previously classified species in a new area or by a new means.

[2010 c 193 § 9; 2009 c 333 § 14.]