Legislature(1993 - 1994)
05/03/1994 09:10 AM Senate FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE BILL NO. 232 An Act relating to a bow hunting tag and bow hunting safety; and providing for an effective date. Co-chair Pearce directed that HB 232 be brought on for discussion and referenced the Senate Resources version, a memorandum and sponsor statement from Representative Bunde, a sectional analysis from Legislative Legal Services, correspondence in support of the legislation, and accompanying fiscal notes. Senator Kelly raised questions concerning the budgeting of $45.0 for the bow hunting education program. Senator Kerttula voiced support for the program but stressed that it should be self- supporting and also cover protection efforts. PATTI SWENSON, aide to Representative Bunde, came before committee. She deferred questions relating to the fiscal note to the department. DAVE KELLYHOUSE, Director, Division of Wildlife and Conservation, Dept. of Fish and Game, explained that the department's hunter education program is supported by Pittman/Robertson and fish and game funds. The department attempts to refrain from charging for the course to encourage greater firearm safety and hunter education. An excise tax on bows and arrows provides a portion of the funding. The proposed bill would help defray the cost. Co-chair Pearce inquired regarding the cost of developing the safety program. Mr. Kellyhouse advised that he could not speak to the actual cost since the program relies heavily upon certified volunteer instructors through the International Bow Hunter Association. A full-time range 18 position and a clerk typist run the program. The cost of salaries is $100.0 plus a small operating budget of about $30.0. With that funding, the program trains approximately 1,000 general hunter education students and qualifies close to 1,000 bow hunters. In response to further questions from Senator Kelly, Mr. Kellyhouse explained that bow hunter safety is only a portion of the much broader hunter education program. The majority of those enrolled in the education course are rifle hunters. Senator Kerttula asked if it would cost more to implement the program than it is likely to generate in revenues. Mr. Kellyhouse responded that he did not believe so. He said that the department would not upscale the program in excess of revenues. Senator Kerttula MOVED for passage of SCS HB 232 (Res) with individual recommendations. No objection having been raised, SCS HB 232 (Res) was REPORTED OUT of committee with a fiscal note from the Dept. of Fish and Game showing operating costs of $5.0 and revenues of $9.1. Co-chair Pearce and Senators Jacko and Sharp signed the committee report with a "do pass" recommendation. Senators Kelly, Kerttula, and Rieger signed "no recommendation." Co-chair Frank was temporarily absent from the meeting and did not sign. HB 239 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 239(RES) am Act relating to raffles and auctions of certain permits to take big game; and providing for an effective date. Co-chair Pearce directed that CSHB 239 (Res)am be brought on for discussion. REPRESENTATIVE CON BUNDE, sponsor of the legislation, came before committee. He observed that the proposed bill is anticipated to generate revenues as high as $250.0, annually, for the fish and game fund. The program mirrors those in eleven western states. Outdoorsmen purchase "these memorial kinds of tags" with the "notion of giving something back to the sport that they have enjoyed." The thrust of the bill is to provide a positive revenue flow in the face of declining budgets. Co-chair Pearce inquired concerning changes effected in the Senate Resources bill. Representative Bunde advised that they address concerns raised by both the department and outdoor groups. Changes are minor. One would allow the existing safeguard program, which deals with fish and game violations, to retain a larger percentage of the proceeds of a raffle the program presently conducts. A provision was also added allowing an in-state organization to "get one of the tags." The department will select the organization based on ability to generate a positive cash flow. Other changes are technical. Senator Sharp MOVED that SCS CSHB 239 (Resources) pass from committee with individual recommendation. No objection having been raised, SCS CSHB 239 (Res) was REPORTED OUT of committee with a fiscal note from the Dept. of Fish and Game showing a cost of $1.0 and $25.0 in revenue. All members signed the committee report with a "do pass" recommendation, with the exception of Senator Kerttula who signed "no recommendation."
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