HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS
SSB 6052
Title: An act relating to funding hunter safety programs.
Brief Description: Assisting volunteers in hunter safety programs.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation (originally sponsored by Senators Jacobsen and Rasmussen).
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL
RESOURCES
Meeting Date:March 24, 1999.
Bill Analysis Prepared by: Josh Weiss, Counsel (786-7129)
Background:
The hunter education program offers classes that all new hunters in the state are required to complete. Funding is provided through the federal Pitman Robinson Fund. At the present time, many volunteers are helping with the program, but there is insufficient funding to reimburse volunteers for mileage or per diem costs.
Concealed weapons permits may be offered by the chief of police of a municipality or the sheriff of a county. A $36 fee is required with every application for a concealed weapon. In addition, a $32 fee is due with an annual license renewal. A license renewal must be filed within 90 days before or after the expiration date of the license.
A license which is renewed after the expiration date of the license must pay a late renewal penalty of $10 in addition to the $32 renewal fee. Three dollars of the late renewal penalty are deposited in the state wildlife fund, and $7 are paid to the issuing authority. Currently, the money deposited in the state wildlife fund are to be used exclusively for the printing and distribution of a pamphlet on the legal limits of the use of firearms, firearm safety, and the preemptive nature of state law. These pamphlets are distributed to concealed weapon license applicants.
Summary of Bill: The $3 deposited into the state wildlife fund from the $10 late renewal penalty are to be primarily used for printing and distribution of the applicant pamphlet and secondarily to support volunteer instructors in the basic firearm safety training program conducted by the Department of Fish and Wildlife.