Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee |
HB 1351
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Concerning license fees for national guard members under Title 77 RCW.
Sponsors: Representatives Blake, Harris, DeBolt and Stanford.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/27/15
Staff: Peter Clodfelter (786-7127).
Background:
Introduction to Fishing and Hunting Licenses.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is responsible for issuing hunting and fishing licenses at fees that are set in statute for each license type. These fees generally are a set amount for an adult state resident, an elevated rate for a non-state resident, and a reduced rate for a youth participant. Reduced rate licenses are also available to individuals with certain disabilities and certain veterans.
Reduced Rate Licenses.
Residents: To qualify for a reduced rate license (the fee set for a youth license), a Washington resident must satisfy one of the following criteria:
be an honorably-discharged veteran who is at least 65 years old and who has a service-related disability of any kind;
be an honorably-discharged veteran of any age who has a 30 percent or greater service-related disability; or
have, regardless of military service, a developmental disability, or a disability that results in the permanent use of a wheelchair, blindness, or another visual impairment.
Non-Residents: To qualify for a reduced rate license (the fee set for a resident license), a non-Washington resident must be an honorably-discharged veteran who is either 65 years old with a service-related disability or who has a 30 percent or greater service-related disability of any kind. Additionally, active duty military personnel serving in any branch of the United States Armed Forces qualify for a combination fishing license at the fee set for a resident license.
Types of Licenses.
Various licenses, permits, and tags are required to fish or hunt for specific types of fish and wildlife and at specific times of the year. The following are types of recreational fishing and hunting licenses that the WDFW issues:
small game hunting license;
supplemental migratory bird permit;
big game hunting license;
special hunting season permit (fee to enter drawing to receive a permit);
disabled hunter permit;
primary turkey tag and additional turkey tags;
western Washington pheasant permit;
personal use fishing license (freshwater, saltwater, or combination license);
group fishing permit;
shellfish and seaweed license;
razor clam license; and
scientific permit.
Summary of Bill:
Upon verification of qualification, the WDFW must issue to a Washington resident member of the National Guard the following recreational hunting licenses at no cost to the Washington resident member of the National Guard:
a small game hunting license;
a supplemental migratory bird permit; and
a big game hunting license.
To qualify, the Washington resident member of the National Guard must be either: (1) an active full-time employee of the National Guard, or (2) a National Guard member whose status in the national guard requires the National Guard member to participate in drill training for pay or retirement points on a part-time basis.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.