Washington State wants to raise hunting and fishing licenses. Senate Bill 5583, which advanced to the House of Representatives following a 25-24 party-line vote, calls for the “inflationary adjustment” to the price of licenses for the first time since 2011 – and “amid a significant budget shortfall,” according to The Center Square.

Senate Democrats say that the shortfall is close to $12 billion over the next four years, while Republicans say it’s closer to $6.7 billion. Either way, according to a fiscal note, SB 5583 has the potential to generate $19.6 million next year, even after assuming an 11% decline in license sales due to the prices.

Those in favor of SB 553 like Sen. Marko Liias, D-Edmonds, said that “hunting and fishing fees are falling behind the cost of maintaining the Pacific Northwest.”

“This bill proposes to make an inflationary adjustment. It’s a big adjustment, but inflation has been significant over the last 15 years to keep up with those costs,” said Liias, “and as the amendment alluded, it also charts a sustainable path forward.”

If passed, the fees would look like the following (check out the bill document for a full view of the fee increases for seniors and youth).

If approved, hunters and anglers will begin paying the increased rates in July.