HOUSE BILL REPORT

SHB 1192

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 Passed House:

March 13, 2013

Title: An act relating to license fees under Title 77 RCW for veterans with disabilities.

Brief Description: Regarding license fees under Title 77 RCW for veterans with disabilities.

Sponsors: House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Short, Blake, Takko, Taylor, Kretz, Crouse, Springer, Chandler, Ryu and Morrell).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Agriculture & Natural Resources: 1/30/13, 1/31/13 [DP];

Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government: 2/25/13 [DPS].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 3/13/13, 97-0.

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

  • Allows non-state resident veterans with disabilities to purchase hunting licenses and combination fishing licenses at the same price paid by nondisabled Washington residents.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 14 members: Representatives Blake, Chair; Lytton, Vice Chair; Chandler, Ranking Minority Member; MacEwen, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Buys, Dunshee, Haigh, Kretz, Orcutt, Pettigrew, Schmick, Stanford, Van De Wege and Warnick.

Staff: Jason Callahan (786-7117).

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE ON GENERAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Hudgins, Chair; Parker, Ranking Minority Member; Buys, Chandler, Dunshee, Hunt, Pedersen, Springer and Taylor.

Staff: Michael Bennion (786-7118).

Background:

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is responsible for issuing hunting and fishing licenses at fees that are set in statute for each license type. These fees generally have a set amount for an adult state resident, and then an elevated price for a non-state resident and a reduced price for a youth participant (under 15 years old for fishing; under 16 years old for hunting).

Reduced license prices are also available to certain individuals with disabilities. These individuals may receive a fishing license for $5 and any of the various state hunting licenses for the price that is charged to a youth participant for that license.

To qualify for one of these reduced rates, the individual must be a Washington resident and satisfy one of the following criteria:

Summary of Substitute Bill:

The lower hunting and fishing license prices available to Washington residents are extended to residents of other states who are veterans with a disability. To qualify, the non-state resident hunter or fisher must satisfy the same requirements for a discounted rate that state resident veterans with a disability must satisfy. These requirements are being an honorably discharged veteran of the United States armed forces and being either:

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect on February 1, 2014.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony (Agriculture & Natural Resources):

(In support) Nonresident veterans with disabilities deserve the same showing of gratitude that we provide for state residents. Most veterans with disabilities are not able to enjoy Washington's hunting opportunities because of the high nonresident fees. Encouraging nonresident veterans with disabilities to visit Washington will not only say thank you to them, but also provide economic stimulus in rural eastern Washington communities.

The ultimate goal is have other states provide full reciprocity for Washington's veterans with disabilities.

(Opposed) None.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony (Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government):

(In support) The start date for the bill would be 2014 so that the Department of Fish and Wildlife can work with the vendor that sells permits to make the adjustments and reduce any possible fiscal impacts.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying (Agriculture & Natural Resources): Representative Short, prime sponsor; Ted Wisorek and Dan Miller, Veterans Legislation Coalition; Stan Christie; and Brian Dansel, Ferry County.

Persons Testifying (Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government): Representative Short, prime sponsor.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying (Agriculture & Natural Resources): None.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying (Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government): None.