BILL REQ. #:  S-4134.1 

Read first time 01/11/2006.   Referred to Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation.

     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.
     (2) 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.
     (3) The director shall prescribe the type of instruction and the qualifications of the instructors.
     (4) 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.
     (5) 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.
     (6) The hunter education certificate requirements of this section do not apply to active duty personnel in the United States armed forces who provide documentation establishing successful completion of firearms qualification requirements for his or her branch of the armed forces.