Attorney General’s office and tribes back repeal of outdated anti‑tribal fishing statute

The committee heard Substitute House Bill 2554, which would repeal language in statute enacted by Initiative 456 (codified as RCW 77.11) that the sponsors and state counsel described as conflicting with federally reserved treaty fishing rights.

Jeff Olson summarized the historical context of Initiative 456 and noted that HB 2554 repeals the statutes created by that initiative. Representative (recorded in transcript as) Deborah (Lacanoff/Lekanoff) framed the bill as correcting historical errors and said portions of RCW 77.11 are unenforceable and conflict with federal law and existing cooperative fisheries-management processes.

Joe Pinesco, senior counsel in the Attorney General’s Office, said the operative provisions purport to direct the state to ignore treaty fishing rights and described those provisions as unconstitutional, urging repeal to remove the statute’s 'stain.' Jim Woods, director of tribal affairs at Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and a tribal citizen, said WDFW supports repeal and noted past proposals with the Attorney General’s Office to remove the anti‑tribal statute.

The committee closed public testimony; members indicated they may consider the underlying bill or striking amendment in executive session.