BILL REQ. #:  H-2011.1 

READ FIRST TIME 03/04/03.   

     AN ACT Relating to hunter education certificate requirements; and amending RCW 77.32.155.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 77.32.155 and 1998 c 191 s 17 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1)(a) When purchasing any hunting license, persons under the age of eighteen shall present certification of completion of a course of instruction of at least ten hours in the safe handling of firearms, safety, conservation, and sportsmanship. Beginning January 1, 1995, all persons purchasing any hunting license for the first time, if born after January 1, 1972, shall present such certification.
     (b) The director may establish a program for training persons in the safe handling of firearms, conservation, and sportsmanship and may cooperate with the National Rifle Association, organized sportsmen's groups, or other public or private organizations.
     (c) The director shall prescribe the type of instruction and the qualifications of the instructors.
     (d) Upon successful completion of the course, a trainee shall receive a hunter education certificate signed by an authorized instructor. The certificate is evidence of compliance with this section.
     (e) The director may accept certificates from other states that persons have successfully completed firearm safety, hunter education, or similar courses as evidence of compliance with this section.
     (2) A person on active duty in the United States armed forces who was born after January 1, 1972, is exempt from the firearms range safe handling portion of the hunter education course required by subsection (1) of this section if the person:
     (a) Is currently stationed at a military installation located in Washington; and
     (b) Has successfully completed any firearms qualification requirements required by his or her branch of the military within the twenty-four month period prior to purchasing an initial hunting license.
     (3)(a) A person on active duty in the United States armed forces who was born after January 1, 1972, and who is currently stationed at a military installation located in Washington may receive a current year hunting license without satisfying the certification requirements of subsection (1) of this section if their transfer to a Washington military installation is within the ninety-day period preceding the purchase of an initial hunting license.
     (b) The provisions of (a) of this subsection may be exercised by a person one time. The certification requirements of subsection (1) of this section, as modified by subsection (2) of this section, must be met before purchasing a subsequent hunting license.
     (4) Active duty military personnel applying for the exemption provided in subsection (2) or (3) of this section are responsible for providing identification and documentation to the department establishing that the requirements of subsection (2) or (3) of this section have been satisfied.