(1) Unless otherwise provided in this title, a license issued under this chapter is not transferable from the license holder to any other person.

     (2) The following restrictions apply to transfers of commercial fishery licenses, salmon delivery licenses, and salmon charter licenses that are transferable between license holders:

     (a) The license holder shall surrender the previously issued license to the department.

     (b) The department shall complete no more than one transfer of the license in any seven-day period.

     (c) The fee to transfer a license from one license holder to another is:

     (i) The same as the resident license renewal fee if the license is not limited under chapter 77.70 RCW;

     (ii) Three and one-half times the resident renewal fee if the license is not a commercial salmon license and the license is limited under chapter 77.70 RCW;

     (iii) Fifty dollars if the license is a commercial salmon license and is limited under chapter 77.70 RCW;

     (iv) Five hundred dollars if the license is a Dungeness crab-coastal fishery license; or

     (v) If a license is transferred from a resident to a nonresident, an additional fee is assessed that is equal to the difference between the resident and nonresident license fees at the time of transfer, to be paid by the transferee.

     (d) In addition to the fees under (c) of this subsection, an application fee of one hundred five dollars applies to all commercial license transfers.

     (3) A commercial license that is transferable under this title survives the death of the holder. Though such licenses are not personal property, they shall be treated as analogous to personal property for purposes of inheritance and intestacy. Such licenses are subject to state laws governing wills, trusts, estates, intestate succession, and community property, except that such licenses are exempt from claims of creditors of the estate and tax liens. The surviving spouse, estate, or beneficiary of the estate may apply for a renewal of the license. There is no fee for transfer of a license from a license holder to the license holder's surviving spouse or estate, or to a beneficiary of the estate.

[2011 c 339 § 15; 2000 c 107 § 28; 1997 c 418 § 1; 1995 c 228 § 1; 1993 sp.s. c 17 § 34. Formerly RCW 75.28.011.]

NOTES:

     Effective date -- 2011 c 339: See note following RCW 43.84.092.

     Contingent effective date -- 1993 sp.s. c 17 §§ 34-47: "Sections 34 through 47 of this act shall take effect only if Senate Bill No. 5124 becomes law by August 1, 1993." [1993 sp.s. c 17 § 48.] Senate Bill No. 5124 [1993 c 340] did become law. Sections 34 through 47 of 1993 sp.s. c 17 did become law.

     Finding -- Contingent effective date -- Severability -- 1993 sp.s. c 17: See notes following RCW 77.32.520.