SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6260
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Reported By Senate Committee On:
Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation, January 24, 2008
Title: An act relating to enhancing the department of fish and wildlife's ability to facilitate outdoor recreation opportunities for seriously ill children.
Brief Description: Providing hunting and fishing opportunities to seriously ill children.
Sponsors: Senators Kilmer, Swecker, Jacobsen, Morton and Schoesler.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation: 1/17/08, 1/24/08 [DPS].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, OCEAN & RECREATION
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6260 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by Senators Jacobsen, Chair; Hatfield, Vice Chair; Morton, Ranking Minority Member; Fraser, Hargrove, Rockefeller, Spanel, Stevens and Swecker.
Staff: Karen Epps (786-7424)
Background: The Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) is charged with the management of the state's wildlife resources, including classifying wildlife, regulating the taking of wildlife, regulating the equipment and methods used to take wildlife, and establishing game reserves and areas closed to hunting. DFW issues a license to a person who wishes to hunt or take wild animals, wild birds, or fish.
Summary of Bill (Recommended Substitute): DFW may provide licenses, tags, permits,
stamps, and fees without a charge or a transaction fee to provide a hunting or fishing opportunity
to a terminally ill person. As an example, a donor could donate a raffle permit, an incentive
permit, or an opportunity to hunt during a special hunting season back to DFW so that a
terminally ill person could use that opportunity.
DFW may accept special permits or other special hunting opportunities from donors who want
to provide a hunting opportunity for a terminally ill person. DFW may also enter into agreements
with a landowner to provide a hunting opportunity for a terminally ill person. DFW may
promulgate rules as necessary to implement this section.
EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY NATURAL RESOURCES, OCEAN & RECREATION COMMITTEE (Recommended Substitute): The donation of hunting or fishing opportunities is limited to the terminally ill. The donations are expanded to include all persons not only children. The donation is allowed to go directly to a terminally ill person. DFW is authorized to promulgate rules as necessary to implement this section.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 14, 2008.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill: PRO: This bill will allow a terminally or seriously ill child an opportunity that he or she would not normally get to enjoy. This would provide support to nonprofits, like the Safari Wish Program, in waiving the costs of fees for a terminally or seriously ill child to hunt or fish. British Columbia currently waives fees for a terminally or seriously ill child to hunt or fish. Other states have some sort of program providing hunting or fishing opportunities for terminally or seriously ill children.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Derek Kilmer, prime sponsor; Thom Halligan, Safari Club International; Steve Pozzaghera, Department of Fish and Wildlife.