SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 5653

BYSenate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Senators Bender and Vognild)

Providing for free hunting and fishing license for disabled veterans.

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 16, 1987; January 25, 1988

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5653 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Metcalf, Chairman; Smith, Vice Chairman; Benitz, DeJarnatt, Kreidler, Owen, Patterson, Rinehart.

Senate Staff:Ross Antipa (786-7413)

                  February 9, 1988

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 8, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Disabled veterans 65 years of age and older may receive a free fishing and hunting license from the Department of Wildlife if they have been a state resident for five years.  Current law does not specify the degree of service connected disability that is needed to qualify for a free hunting and fishing license.

SUMMARY:

Age requirements and length of residency requirements are removed from the qualifications for issuance of disabled veteran free fishing and hunting licenses.  The definition of disabled veteran is changed to conform with the terminology of the Veterans Administration.  A service connected disability of 30 percent to 100 percent, as determined by the Veterans Administration, qualifies a veteran for a free hunting and fishing license.

The bill is updated with technical changes to make it compatible to the 1987 Wildlife Code revision.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested January 19, 1988

Senate Committee - Testified: Rich Poelker, Department of Wildlife; Ron Hoffman, Department of Veteran's Affairs; John Libby, VFW Washington; Oscar Johnson; Paul Telford