FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 2010

PARTIAL VETO

                                  C 297 L 89

BYRepresentatives R. King, Basich, McLean and Inslee

Allowing nonambulatory disabled persons to hunt from nonhighway motor vehicles.

House Committe on Fisheries & Wildlife

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

To hunt legally in the State of Washington, a person must obtain the proper hunting licenses and must observe laws relating to possessing and discharging weapons.

A licensed hunter may not carry a loaded weapon in a motor vehicle, a nonhighway vehicle, or a snowmobile, and may not hunt from a nonhighway vehicle or a snowmobile.  A hunter may not shoot from, across, or along the maintained portion of a public highway.

SUMMARY:

A disabled hunter may obtain a permit from the Department of Wildlife to hunt from a non-moving motor vehicle that has the engine turned off.  Motor vehicles to which this provision applies include highway vehicles, nonhighway vehicles, and snowmobiles.

A disabled hunter may not hunt from a vehicle that is parked on or beside the maintained portion of a public highway, and may not possess a loaded weapon in a motor vehicle that is moving.

The disabled hunter may have one non-disabled hunter assist in killing, tagging, and retrieving the animal; however, the non-disabled hunter may not carry a loaded weapon in a vehicle or hunt from the vehicle.

A disabled hunter must possess all necessary hunting licenses and must comply with permits for concealed weapons and must comply with all laws regarding discharge of a weapon.

A disabled hunter is a person of disability who is permanently disabled and who is not ambulatory without the assistance of a wheelchair, crutches, or similar devices.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 95   0

      Senate    44     2

EFFECTIVE:July 23, 1989

Partial Veto Summary:  This bill does not allow any exception to the prohibition against hunting from the maintained portion of a public highway.  An unnecessary amendment to current law that repealed this prohibition was removed by the Governor's veto.  (See VETO MESSAGE)