Legislation was introduced Thursday for the first across-the-board increase in Washington hunting and fishing license fees in 14 years.

House Bill 1387 would result in an increase in revenue from hunting licenses of 7.3 percent, 12.6 percent from sport-fishing licenses and 51.4 percent from commercial licenses.

Rep. Brian Blake, D-Aberdeen, and Rep. Bruce Chandler, R-Granger, are the prime sponsors. The measure was introduced at the request of the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Sen. Debbie Regala, D-Tacoma, is expected to introduce a companion measure in the Senate today.

"This legislation is our top priority for this legislative session,'' said Phil Anderson, director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife. "Its outcome will greatly determine this department's ability to maintain fishing and hunting opportunities and move forward with conservation efforts around the state.''

A resident freshwater fishing license would jump from $26 to $29.50 (13 percent) and a .... http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/jan/20/hunting-fishing-license-fee-increase-legislation-i/