WA Hunter Ed Legislation 4/15 Update

[arees]

If this bill passes, the intent is to have class registration fees collected at the time of online registration. That would mean that an individual registering for five concurrent classes (as some do now) would pay $100.

What is preventing this from happening without the bill passing?  Doesn't this just redirect the money from the instructors (paying for supplies) to the department?  Is the department going to use the money to open more classes?

[Bob33]

As I understand it the primary limitation is the legal authority to charge all students a fixed amount of up to $20. As has been noted here, the fees charged by different classes vary from $0 to $20.

The money would be collected by the systems provider (Kalkomey). They would keep a small portion for a processing fee; the remainder would be given to WDFW.

I don't believe money has anything to do with the number of classes currently offered. All instructors are volunteers, and I'm not aware of any plans to hire instructors.

[huntrights]

I just heard a comment today saying thre aren't enough hunter education classes in the Olympia area.  Taking the class online appears to be the only option and then hope to hook up with a group for the range part of course.  There are a lot of kids that want to go hunting this year, but it appears the system is making it difficult for that to happen.

[lokidog]

I just heard a comment today saying thre aren't enough hunter education classes in the Olympia area.  Taking the class online appears to be the only option and then hope to hook up with a group for the range part of course.  There are a lot of kids that want to go hunting this year, but it appears the system is making it difficult for that to happen.

Sounds like SOP to me, the state doesn't want to make it easy to be an instructor... the less hunters the more they can cater to the enviro wackos with less complaints from us that help fund the system.

[bigtex]

I just heard a comment today saying thre aren't enough hunter education classes in the Olympia area.  Taking the class online appears to be the only option and then hope to hook up with a group for the range part of course.  There are a lot of kids that want to go hunting this year, but it appears the system is making it difficult for that to happen.

There is a class that is in Rochester in a little over a week. Only about half filled....

[arees]

As I understand it the primary limitation is the legal authority to charge all students a fixed amount of up to $20. As has been noted here, the fees charged by different classes vary from $0 to $20.

The money would be collected by the systems provider (Kalkomey). They would keep a small portion for a processing fee; the remainder would be given to WDFW.

I don't believe money has anything to do with the number of classes currently offered. All instructors are volunteers, and I'm not aware of any plans to hire instructors.

So, this is simply a money grab by the department.

Did they attach the "safety" issue on it to hope it will be passed with no criticism?  This is a youth "safety" issue that does not address any real issue and a money grab that does not help hunters education.  This is the poster child for bad legislation.

[huntrights]

I just heard a comment today saying thre aren't enough hunter education classes in the Olympia area.  Taking the class online appears to be the only option and then hope to hook up with a group for the range part of course.  There are a lot of kids that want to go hunting this year, but it appears the system is making it difficult for that to happen.

There is a class that is in Rochester in a little over a week. Only about half filled....

Thanks.  I found the class you referred to and passed the information on.

[bigtex]

The House version (fees still in tact) passed the House will no nay votes on 3/6 and is now in the Senate.

The Senate version (no fees) is still held up in the Senate.

[bigtex]

3/11 Update

The House version is the bill that would most likely become law, as it is further along. The minimum age of 8 to enroll in classes has been removed. The fees for the course is still in tact.

[xd2005]

But still maintains the requirement that the accompanying adult be licensed in WA, correct?

[lokidog]

But still maintains the requirement that the accompanying adult be licensed in WA, correct?

That's the buggering going on, I actually have no problem with an 8 yo minimum, or hunting while accompanied (although 12 would be better than 14), but the "licensed" part is BS.

[bigtex]

But still maintains the requirement that the accompanying adult be licensed in WA, correct?

Yes. There was a proposal to drop the age from 14 to 12, but that fell through.

[bigtex]

4/15 Update

The House Bill has been passed through the Senate committee it will now go before a full Senate vote then to Governor Inslee.

[lokidog]

Woohoo.....   

[Elkaholic daWg]

But still maintains the requirement that the accompanying adult be licensed in WA, correct?

That's the buggering going on, I actually have no problem with an 8 yo minimum, or hunting while accompanied (although 12 would be better than 14), but the "licensed" part is BS.

SURE IS!!!