20 dollar registration fee to take hunter safety class SHB 1199

[BIGINNER]

DO THEY? I DIDNT KNOW THAT

[Rainier10]

Yeah, I just bought my license, my wifes and my daughters, the kids license was less than half of ours.  I think everything is half price and kids don't have to by a fishing license depending on how young they are.  Mine is 10 years old, not sure what the cutoff is for the fishing license but the hunting stuff is half price until they are 16.  It is a great deal and applies to special permit applications also.

[arees]

1) I believe the instructors can (and some do) already charge a fee for the class and can (and some do) refund some of it if you show up and take the test.

2) If 1) is true, this bill does not provide any of the deterrent benefits people ascribe to it because those deterrents can (and in some places are) already be implemented now.

3) If 2) is true, this is just a money grab by WDFW.

4) What part of this bill requires the money collected to go back into more Hunter Ed classes or supporting those classes in any way?

5) Even if this money was required to go into Hunter Ed, what would prevent them from cutting money from other sources?

Please refute these points if you can.  They are numbered for your ease of response.

[bigtex]

1) I believe the instructors can (and some do) already charge a fee for the class and can (and some do) refund some of it if you show up and take the test.

2) If 1) is true, this bill does not provide any of the deterrent benefits people ascribe to it because those deterrents can (and in some places are) already be implemented now.

3) If 2) is true, this is just a money grab by WDFW.

4) What part of this bill requires the money collected to go back into more Hunter Ed classes or supporting those classes in any way?

5) Even if this money was required to go into Hunter Ed, what would prevent them from cutting money from other sources?

Please refute these points if you can.  They are numbered for your ease of response.

1- Money is being pocketed by the instructors, not being provided to WDFW. How much money is being given to these instructors? $1,000 or $100,000? Under the current system WDFW doesn’t know

2- Yes it will provide a deterrent. Right now the courses that do require a fee are collected during the course, not at sign up. This bill would require it at sign-up

4- The bill requires it to go into the Hunter Ed program.

5- The only authority who could divert/move money is the legislature, WDFW can’t do this on their own.

Nobody mentioned it, but this bill passed the House unanimously!

[Smossy]

Would love to hear what others think about charging a registration few for hunters safety classess..I apologize if this topic has already been brought up.

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2013-14/Pdf/Bills/House%20Bills/1199-S.pdf

(4)(a) Beginning August 1, 2013, the director is authorized to
27 charge a registration fee of not more than twenty dollars for any
28 hunter education training course. This fee must be collected as
29 program income as defined in 50 C.F.R. Sec. 80.120 (2011). Program
30 income may be added to the moneys committed to the grant agreement by
31 the federal agency and the grantee. The program income must be used

I think its fair. 

[Skyhigh]

Nobody mentioned it, but this bill passed the House unanimously!

In this bill there is minimum age requirements for taking the hunters safety course..I believe it to be 8 yo..All our classes that I am involved with have been free of charge, we do however put a donation bucket up. The money generated from this covers costs of various nick nack supplies, hall rental, sometimes pizza on the final day..

Someone mentioned above that this 20 dollar fee was refundable after they completed the class? I cant find anything about that in the document,,can you explaine that comment

[Elkaholic daWg]

Nobody mentioned it, but this bill passed the House unanimously!

In this bill there is minimum age requirements for taking the hunters safety course..I believe it to be 8 yo..All our classes that I am involved with have been free of charge, we do however put a donation bucket up. The money generated from this covers costs of various nick nack supplies, hall rental, sometimes pizza on the final day..

Someone mentioned above that this 20 dollar fee was refundable after they completed the class? I cant find anything about that in the document,,can you explaine that comment

 As does it work with my friends classes,  and Is mostly put back in to the program by them......NOW where will it go? Bigger Govt, more regulation

1) I believe the instructors can (and some do) already charge a fee for the class and can (and some do) refund some of it if you show up and take the test.

Please refute these points if you can.  They are numbered for your ease of response.

1- Money is being pocketed by the instructors, not being provided to WDFW. How much money is being given to these instructors? $1,000 or $100,000? Under the current system WDFW doesn’t know

 If I were an instructor, I just might find that statement offensive since I have seen how much time and effort he put's into those classes!

[Bob33]

1- Money is being pocketed by the instructors, not being provided to WDFW. How much money is being given to these instructors? $1,000 or $100,000? Under the current system WDFW doesn’t know

Yes, there are always a few bad apples but to make a statement like that is offensive to the vast majority of dedicated volunteer instructors who don't get a penny.

[pianoman9701]

1- Money is being pocketed by the instructors, not being provided to WDFW. How much money is being given to these instructors? $1,000 or $100,000? Under the current system WDFW doesn’t know

Yes, there are always a few bad apples but to make a statement like that is offensive to the vast majority of dedicated volunteer instructors who don't get a penny.

  x 2. I get nothing from HE but the satisfaction of helping people become hunters. I'm not alone.

[arees]

1- Money is being pocketed by the instructors, not being provided to WDFW. How much money is being given to these instructors? $1,000 or $100,000? Under the current system WDFW doesn’t know

Yes, there are always a few bad apples but to make a statement like that is offensive to the vast majority of dedicated volunteer instructors who don't get a penny.

At least it is an interesting new argument.  This bill is now intended to protect us from thieving hunter ed instructors.  Did I miss the part of the bill that prohibits the instructors from charging additional fees?  Does this bill state that all the instructor expenses that were being covered by the fees they were charging will now be covered by WDFW?

If this passes, will we see WDFW's $20 fee plus the instructor's fee?

Here are a few selections from the Hunter Ed registration site:

From a course in Bonney Lake:

Special Instructions for All Students
In order to Register for Hunter Education Classes with Evergreen SureFire FireArms Safety Club, you must do the following:
1. Register Online & Send in your $25.00 Refundable Deposit 30 Days Prior to First Date of Class
2. Write a $25.00 Refundable Deposit Check Payable to: Evergreen SureFire
3. Mail Refundable Deposit Check 30 Days Prior to First Date of Class to:
xxxx
4. If Refundable Deposit is not Received 30 Days Prior to First Date of Class, Your Spot will be Forfeited and given to Someone Else
5. Do Not Call Swiss Park Sportsmen

From a class in Oldtown:

Special Instructions for All Students
Welcome to hunter education. A MANDATORY orientation for this class will be on March 25 from 6:00-9:00 PM at the Rotary Park Building in Oldtown, ID. The class will take place from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Mon, Wed, Thur, and Fri April 1-5. Saturday March 6th there will be a field skills evaluation beginning promplty at 8 AM at the Newport Gun Club. There is a $20.00 deposit payable to, xxx. Please send payment to xxxx to hold your position in this class. If your fee is not paid prior to March 18, your name could be removed from roster to make room for someone else. Students 18 yrs. and under must download, have signed a copy of the Parent Agreement form. Students 12 yrs. and under must have a parent or guardian with them at all times during class.

From a class in Amboy:

Special Instructions for All Students
March 28 NO CLASS pay $20.00 deposit & pick-up book to guarantee spot in class. Money refunded on range day. Class held up-stairs at fire hall. Manditory attendance all classes & range day. All students age 11 & under must have adult with them in class. All students 18 & under signed parent permission slip, found on line WDFW web site.

Everything this bill claims to do can already be done except giving the money to WDFW.  If WDFW came out and said "we need more money and this is a way to get it" it would be a more believable argument.

[bearpaw]

I am opposed because basically this is another new tax/fee on people wanting to become hunters or shooters. A few years from now they will raise this tax as that is how taxes work. But, if hunters want this tax/fee then I can't see worrying about it.

Are we going to ask for a new tax on ammo too? 

[bigtex]

1- Money is being pocketed by the instructors, not being provided to WDFW. How much money is being given to these instructors? $1,000 or $100,000? Under the current system WDFW doesn’t know

Yes, there are always a few bad apples but to make a statement like that is offensive to the vast majority of dedicated volunteer instructors who don't get a penny.

  x 2. I get nothing from HE but the satisfaction of helping people become hunters. I'm not alone.

I didn't make it to be offensive. Watch the House committees on the bill. WDFW doesn't know how much is coming into those courses because there is no accounting system in place under state law.

[Tman]

Ive never been to a he class where the deposit wasnt refunded or offered by the end of the class. Its simply a deterant to stop people from taking up the limited seats and then not showing.

To those of you complaining, step up and be an instructor so you can do it "your way", or quit whining.

[danderson]

Bigtex, with these comments you just showed your true self, do you have  any idea who build the current Hunter Education program, no you don't because there the ones that your degrading.



 

1- Money is being pocketed by the instructors, not being provided to WDFW. How much money is being given to these instructors? $1,000 or $100,000? Under the current system WDFW doesn’t know

Yes, there are always a few bad apples but to make a statement like that is offensive to the vast majority of dedicated volunteer instructors who don't get a penny.

  x 2. I get nothing from HE but the satisfaction of helping people become hunters. I'm not alone.

[bearpaw]

Ive never been to a he class where the deposit wasnt refunded or offered by the end of the class. Its simply a deterant to stop people from taking up the limited seats and then not showing.

To those of you complaining, step up and be an instructor so you can do it "your way", or quit whining.

Maybe I misread, but doesn't this bill create a $20 fee for WDFW, a nonrefundable fee?