Decades after American Indians were arrested for exercising
treaty-protected fishing rights during the "Fish Wars," a
proposal in the state Legislature would give those who were
jailed a chance to clear their convictions from the record.
During fish-ins and other civil disobedience protests of the
1960s and 1970s, tribal members and others were roughed up,
harassed and arrested while asserting their right to fish for
salmon in violation of state regulations at the time.  Rep.
David Sawyer, a Democrat from Tacoma, is the prime sponsor of
the bill. He says it's time to allow people to clear those
charges.  Lawmakers are hearing public testimony Tuesday
afternoon.  Under House Bill 2080, tribal members who were
arrested before 1975 could apply to the court to expunge their
misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor or felony convictions if they
were exercising their treaty fishing rights.