HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SSB 6052

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                      Natural Resources

Title:  An act relating to funding hunter safety programs.

Brief Description:  Assisting volunteers in hunter safety programs.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation (originally sponsored by Senators Jacobsen and Rasmussen).

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Natural Resources:  3/24/99, 3/30/99 [DP].

           Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

$Allows a portion of the late renewal penalty for concealed weapons applications to be used secondarily to support volunteer firearm safety instructors.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 8 members:  Representatives Buck, Republican Co-Chair; Regala, Democratic Co-Chair; Sump, Republican Vice Chair; Doumit; Eickmeyer; Ericksen; Rockefeller and Stensen.

Minority Report:  Without recommendation.  Signed by 2 members:  Representatives Clements and Pennington.

Staff:  Josh Weiss (786-7129).

Background:

The hunter education program offers classes that all new hunters in the state are required to complete.  Funding is provided through the federal Pitman Robinson Fund.  At the present time, many volunteers are helping with the program, but there is insufficient funding to reimburse volunteers for mileage or per diem costs. 

Concealed weapon permits may be offered by the chief of police of a municipality or the sheriff of a county.  A $36 fee is required with every application for a concealed weapon.  In addition, a $32 fee is due with an annual license renewal.  A license renewal must be filed within 90 days before or after the expiration date of the license. 

A license which is renewed after the expiration date of the license must pay a late renewal penalty of $10 in addition to the $32 renewal fee.  Three dollars of the late renewal penalty is deposited in the state wildlife fund, and $7 is paid to the issuing authority.   Currently, the moneys deposited in the state wildlife fund are to be used exclusively for the printing and distribution of a pamphlet on the legal limits of the use of firearms, firearm safety, and the preemptive nature of state law.  These pamphlets are distributed to concealed weapon license applicants.

Summary of Bill:

The $3 deposited into the state wildlife fund from the $10 late renewal penalty is to be primarily used for printing and distribution of the applicant pamphlet and secondarily to support volunteer instructors in the basic firearm safety training program conducted by the Department of Fish and Wildlife.   

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  There are 700 instructors in Washington which educate approximately 10,000 students annually.  The Department of Fish and Wildlife provides some equipment, but instructors have to come up with additional equipment and usually go to other organizations for support.  Instructors themselves have to be trained and get certified, and this often requires travel.  The pamphlet should be the first priority for funding.   

Testimony Against:  None. 

Testified:  Larry Lufkin, Chief Instructor, Hunter Education; and Myrtle Cooper, citizen.