BILL REQ. #:  S-4224.1 

Read first time 01/24/2006.   Referred to Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation.

     AN ACT Relating to hunter education; 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)(a) 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.
     (b) The director shall prescribe the type of instruction and the qualifications of the instructors.
     (c) 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.
     (d) 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.
     (3)(a) In addition to any program in existence on the effective date of this section, the director shall, by December 1, 2006, establish a program for the training of persons in the safe handling of firearms, conservation, and sportsmanship. Upon successful completion of a course of instruction under this program, a trainee must receive a hunter education certificate signed by an authorized instructor. The certificate is evidence of compliance with this section.
     (b) In establishing the program under (a) of this subsection, the director must prescribe procedures for the certification of instructors, approval of instruction methods, and approval of course materials.
     (c) Instructors certified under the program established under (a) of this subsection may profit from the teaching of hunter education courses. Fees charged under the program may not exceed fifty dollars per person, per course.
     (d) The department must operate the program established under (a) of this subsection without the use of federal funds.
     (e) By December 1, 2006, the director shall provide a report to the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the senate and house of representatives detailing the substance and status of the program established under (a) of this subsection.