HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 5108

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                      Natural Resources

Title:  An act relating to hunting licenses.

Brief Description:  Concerning the hunter education training program.

Sponsors:  Senators Snyder, Winsley and Palmer.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Natural Resources:   3/28/95, 3/28/95 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Fuhrman, Chairman; Buck, Vice Chairman; Pennington, Vice Chairman; Basich, Ranking Minority Member; Beeksma; Cairnes; Elliot; Sheldon; Stevens; B. Thomas and Thompson.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 4 members:  Representatives Regala, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; G. Fisher; Jacobsen and Romero.

Staff:  Rick Anderson (786-7114).

Background:  Any person under the age of 18 must receive hunter safety education prior to purchasing a hunting license.  As of January 1, 1995, any person born after January 1, 1972 must receive hunter safety instruction if purchasing a hunting license for the first time.  Hunter safety education consists of at least ten hours of instruction in safety, conservation,  sportsmanship, and the safe handling of firearms. 

Summary of Bill:  Hunter safety education requirements for persons over 18 years old are deleted.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  Twenty-nine other states have similar legislation and report no problems.  The majority of hunting accidents are caused by 20-30 year olds with no hunter safety education.

Testified:  Ed Manary, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (neutral); Gary Kasowski, Washington State Hunter Education Instructors Association; and Lyle Lewis, Washington State Hunter Education Instructors Association (oppose).