HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2450

As Reported by House Committee On:

Rural Development, Agriculture, & Natural Resources

Title: An act relating to license fees for emergency medical services personnel under Title 77 RCW.

Brief Description: Concerning license fees for emergency medical services personnel under Title 77 RCW.

Sponsors: Representatives Schmick and Cody.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Rural Development, Agriculture, & Natural Resources: 1/21/20, 1/28/20 [DP].

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Blake, Chair; Shewmake, Vice Chair; Chandler, Ranking Minority Member; Dent, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Chapman, Kretz, Orcutt, Schmick and Walsh.

Minority Report: Without recommendation. Signed by 2 members: Representatives Lekanoff and Ramos.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 1 member: Representative Fitzgibbon.

Staff: Rebecca Lewis (786-7339).

Background:

Hunting and Fishing Licenses.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) issues 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. Free hunting licenses are available for certain Washington State Guard and National Guard members.

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; and

• razor clam license.

Reduced Rate Hunting and Fishing 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.

Active Duty Military and State and National Guard Member Licenses.

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.

Members of the Washington State Guard and National Guard who are either full-time, active guard members, or are required to participate in drill training on a part-time basis, are eligible for a small game hunting license, supplemental migratory bird permit, and big game hunting license free of charge, upon written application and verification by the WDFW.

Types of Emergency Medical Service Personnel.

Emergency medical service (EMS) personnel are certified by the Department of Health, which is also responsible for their discipline in cases involving unprofessional conduct. Categories of EMS personnel include paramedics, emergency medical technicians, advanced emergency medical technicians, and first responders. Emergency medical service personnel may only provide services within the scope of care established in the curriculum of the person's level of certification or any specialized training. In addition, the services must be included in the protocols of each county's medical program director.

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Summary of Bill:

Emergency medical technicians, advanced emergency medical technicians, first responders, and paramedics licensed by the Department of Health with at least five consecutive years of volunteer EMS service are eligible for the following hunting and fishing licenses free of charge, as verified by the Department of Fish and Wildlife:

• a combination saltwater and freshwater fishing license;

• a small game hunting license;

• a supplementary migratory bird permit; and

• a big game hunting license.

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Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) In rural areas, the amount of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) is dwindling. Some areas are not served by any emergency management personnel. This is an idea from Virginia which will help retain EMT's by providing the incentive of free hunting and fishing licenses.

(Opposed) None.

(Other) The Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) recognizes that the Legislature has the authority to set license fees. The WDFW also supports first responders. This bill would have minor impacts to staffing costs related to processing license approvals. The WDFW estimates that about 4,000 volunteer emergency management personnel would be eligible for the free licenses, and estimates that the revenue impact of this bill will be approximately $130,000 per fiscal year.

Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Schmick, prime sponsor.

(Other) Nate Pamplin, Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.