BILL REQ. #:  H-0274.1 

Read first time 01/23/2003.   Referred to Committee on Fisheries, Ecology & Parks.

     AN ACT Relating to hunter education certificate requirements; and amending RCW 77.32.155.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 77.32.155 and 1998 c 191 s 17 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) When purchasing any hunting license, persons under the age of eighteen shall present certification of completion of a course of instruction of at least ten hours in the safe handling of firearms, safety, conservation, and sportsmanship. Beginning January 1, 1995, all persons purchasing any hunting license for the first time, if born after January 1, 1972, shall present such certification.
     The director may establish a program for training persons in the safe handling of firearms, conservation, and sportsmanship and may cooperate with the National Rifle Association, organized sportsmen's groups, or other public or private organizations.
     The director shall prescribe the type of instruction and the qualifications of the instructors.
     Upon successful completion of the course, a trainee shall receive a hunter education certificate signed by an authorized instructor. The certificate is evidence of compliance with this section.
     The director may accept certificates from other states that persons have successfully completed firearm safety, hunter education, or similar courses as evidence of compliance with this section.
     (2) The hunter education certificate requirements of this section do not apply to:
     (a) All active military personnel permanently stationed at a military installation within the state of Washington; and
     (b) All residents of the state of Washington who have received an honorable discharge or received a discharge for medical reasons with an honorable record from federal military service.
     (3) All persons born after January 1, 1972, when purchasing any hunting license for the first time, and who qualify for the exemption to the hunter education certificate requirements provided by this section, shall provide identification or paperwork authenticating their active military service or of their discharge from military service.