The amended version of the fish landing tax proposal would share 50 percent of the state tax with the city or county in which the commercial fishing vessel landed. HB 1806 passed out of the House Finance Committee on February 25 but did not pass out of the Appropriations Committee before the fiscal cut-off. Like many proposals that added to the state’s budget gap, it will not be considered further this year.

Portion of state’s fish landing tax to be reeled in to help cities dependent on commercial fishing

February 21, 2025

Cities would share 50 percent of the state’s fish landing tax imposed on commercial fishing. The bill proposed by Rep. Steve Tharinger (D–Sequim) would share 50 percent of the state’s share of the enhanced food fish tax (landing tax) with the city in which the commercial fishing vessel landed (HB 1806). This revenue would help coastal cities that are dependent on commercial fishing and that provide services to some of the largest commercial fishing operations in the country.

The bill was heard in the House Finance Committee on February 21.