SENATE BILL REPORT

                           EHB 2061

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, MARCH 31, 1993

Brief Description:  Changing hunter education provisions.

SPONSORS: Representatives Chappell and King

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES & WILDLIFE

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Owen, Chairman; Hargrove, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Erwin, Franklin, Haugen, Oke, Snyder, and Spanel.

Staff:  Vic Moon (786‑7469)

Hearing Dates: March 24, 1993; March 31, 1993

BACKGROUND:

RCW 75.08.420 requires anyone under 18 years of age who purchases a hunting license from the Department of Wildlife to complete a hunter safety education course of at least six hours.  WAC 232-12-227 requires that the course be at least 10 hours.  In 1992, between 10,000 and 11,000 individuals completed the course.

SUMMARY:

The minimum number of hours of hunter safety education required for a license is changed from six to 10 hours.  Anyone born after January 1, 1972, who purchases a hunting license for the first time after January 1, 1995, from the Department of Wildlife must have completed such a course.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested March 2, 1993

TESTIMONY FOR:

The hunter education program must be brought into compliance with federal law.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Gerald Rowlands; Neal Houser; Eric Weigland, Department of Wildlife; Gary Kasowski