BILL REQ. #:  H-0477.1 

Read first time 01/18/13.   Referred to Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources.

     AN ACT Relating to license fees under Title 77 RCW for veterans with disabilities; and amending RCW 77.32.480 and 77.04.150.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 77.32.480 and 2007 c 254 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     Upon written application, a combination fishing license shall be issued at the reduced rate of five dollars((,)) and all hunting licenses shall((,)) be issued at the reduced rate of a youth hunting license fee for the following individuals:
     (1) A resident or nonresident sixty-five years old or older who is an honorably discharged veteran of the United States armed forces having a service-connected disability;
     (2) A resident or nonresident who is an honorably discharged veteran of the United States armed forces with a thirty percent or more service-connected disability;
     (3) A resident with a disability who permanently uses a wheelchair;
     (4) A resident who is blind or visually impaired; and
     (5) A resident with a developmental disability as defined in RCW 71A.10.020 with documentation of the disability certified by a physician licensed to practice in this state.

Sec. 2   RCW 77.04.150 and 2008 c 294 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The commission must appoint an advisory committee to generally represent the interests of hunters and fishers with disabilities on matters including, but not limited to, special hunts, modified sporting equipment, access to public land, and hunting and fishing opportunities. The advisory committee is composed of seven members, each being an individual with a disability. The advisory committee members must represent the entire state. The members must be appointed so that each of the six department administrative regions, as they existed on January 1, 2007, are represented with one resident on the advisory committee. One additional member must be appointed at large. The chair of the advisory committee must be a member of the advisory committee and shall be selected by the members of the advisory committee.
     (2) The advisory committee created in this section has the authority to contact other states and promote the discounted hunting and fishing opportunities made available to nonresident veterans with disabilities under RCW 77.32.480 and collaborate with other states in an effort to encourage similar treatment for Washington's veterans with disabilities when they are hunting and fishing in other states.
     (3) For the purposes of this section, an individual with a disability includes but is not limited to:
     (a) An individual with a permanent disability who is not ambulatory over natural terrain without a prosthesis or assistive device;
     (b) An individual with a permanent disability who is unable to walk without the use of assistance from a brace, cane, crutch, wheelchair, scooter, walker, or other assistive device;
     (c) An individual who has a cardiac condition to the extent that the individual's functional limitations are severe;
     (d) An individual who is restricted by lung disease to the extent that the individual's functional limitations are severe;
     (e) An individual who is totally blind or visually impaired; or
     (f) An individual with a permanent disability with upper or lower extremity impairments who does not have the use of one or both upper or lower extremities.
     (((3))) (4) The members of the advisory committee are appointed for a four-year term. If a vacancy occurs on the advisory committee prior to the expiration of a term, the commission must appoint a replacement within sixty days to complete the term.
     (((4))) (5) The advisory committee must meet at least semiannually, and may meet at other times as requested by a majority of the advisory committee members for any express purpose that directly relates to the duties set forth in subsection (1) of this section. A majority of members currently serving on the advisory committee constitutes a quorum. The department must provide staff support for all official advisory committee meetings.
     (((5))) (6) Each member of the advisory committee shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for travel expenses as authorized in RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.
     (((6))) (7) The members of the advisory committee, or individuals acting on their behalf, are immune from civil liability for official acts performed in the course of their duties.
     (((7))) (8) Beginning December 1, 2011, and again at least once every four years, the commission shall present a report to the appropriate legislative committees detailing the effectiveness of the advisory committee including, but not limited to, the participation levels, general interest, quality of advice, and recommendations as to the advisory committee's continuance or modification.