Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee |
HB 1944
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. |
Brief Description: Exempting certain law enforcement officers from the hunter education training program.
Sponsors: Representatives Condotta and Hayes.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/14/17
Staff: Rebecca Lewis (786-7339).
Background:
Hunter Education.
All individuals born after January 1, 1972, must show proof of completion of a hunter education course before purchasing a hunting license for the first time. The course must include at least 10 hours of instruction covering firearms and outdoor safety, hunter responsibility, and wildlife management. To receive proof of completion a person must pass an exam, either in a classroom setting or online, and demonstrate safe firearms handling skills in the field. Members of the United States Military who complete the online hunter education course are exempt from the field firearms skills portion.
Law Enforcement Officers.
Law enforcement officers in Washington are either general authority Washington peace officers (general authority officers), limited authority Washington peace officers (limited authority officers), or specially commissioned Washington peace officers (specially commissioned officers).
General authority officers are full-time and fully compensated, and are either an elected, appointed, or an employed officer of a general authority Washington law enforcement agency who may enforce any traffic or criminal law of the state throughout the state. General authority law enforcement agencies include the Washington State Patrol and the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Limited authority officers are full-time, and fully compensated officers of a law enforcement agency that has, as one of its functions, the enforcement of traffic or specific criminal laws relating to limited subject areas or within specific geographic boundaries. Limited authority law enforcement agencies include the departments of Natural Resources, Social and Health Services, and Corrections, and the Parks and Recreation Commission.
Specially commissioned officers are commissioned by a general authority law enforcement agency, but do not qualify as either a general or limited authority law enforcement officer. Specially commissioned law enforcement officers include full-time, fully compensated peace officers duly commissioned by the states of Oregon or Idaho or a unit of local government of Oregon or Idaho.
Summary of Bill:
General authority officers and specially commissioned officers, and limited authority officers authorized to carry a concealed pistol are exempt from the field firearms skills portion of any hunter education course completed online.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.