HB 1351: Hunting Licenses for National Guard Members

[bigtex]

HB 1351 Sponsored by Blake, Harris, DeBolt, and Stanford impacts hunting licenses for National Guar members. Under the bill:

Upon written application and department verification, the following recreational hunting licenses must be issued at no cost to a resident member of the national guard, as defined in RCW 38.04.010, as long as the national guard member is an active full-time national guard employee or a national guard member whose status requires the national guard member to participate in drill training for pay or retirement points on a part-time basis:
(a) A small game hunting license under RCW 77.32.460(1);
(b) A supplemental migratory bird permit under RCW 77.32.350; and
(c) A big game hunting license under RCW 77.32.450 (1) and (2).

[GUscottie]

Having been a National Guard member for over 6 years, I'm not a fan of this. I can think of better things for us to get to help/support the Guard. I don't know of any other state that gives this sort of "incentive" to guard members. I've seen it for AD, but not Guard.

[youngbull]

Great idea
what would be the negative side

[washelkhunter]

Please; unless you're full on active duty and you already get a discount already for that, pay your own way.

[csaaphill]

Having been a National Guard member for over 6 years, I'm not a fan of this. I can think of better things for us to get to help/support the Guard. I don't know of any other state that gives this sort of "incentive" to guard members. I've seen it for AD, but not Guard.

I'd have to look but think Oregon does. I know it's greatly reduced is not completly free.

[bobcat]

HB 1351 Sponsored by Blake, Harris, DeBolt, and Stanford impacts hunting licenses for National Guar members. Under the bill:

Upon written application and department verification, the following recreational hunting licenses must be issued at no cost to a resident member of the national guard, as defined in RCW 38.04.010, as long as the national guard member is an active full-time national guard employee or a national guard member whose status requires the national guard member to participate in drill training for pay or retirement points on a part-time basis:
(a) A small game hunting license under RCW 77.32.460(1);
(b) A supplemental migratory bird permit under RCW 77.32.350; and
(c) A big game hunting license under RCW 77.32.450 (1) and (2).

So what does (c) include? Would that mean all big game tags? (deer, bear, elk, and cougar)

[bigtex]

HB 1351 Sponsored by Blake, Harris, DeBolt, and Stanford impacts hunting licenses for National Guar members. Under the bill:

Upon written application and department verification, the following recreational hunting licenses must be issued at no cost to a resident member of the national guard, as defined in RCW 38.04.010, as long as the national guard member is an active full-time national guard employee or a national guard member whose status requires the national guard member to participate in drill training for pay or retirement points on a part-time basis:
(a) A small game hunting license under RCW 77.32.460(1);
(b) A supplemental migratory bird permit under RCW 77.32.350; and
(c) A big game hunting license under RCW 77.32.450 (1) and (2).

So what does (c) include? Would that mean all big game tags? (deer, bear, elk, and cougar)

Correct. As well as second deer and elk

[bearpaw]

I voted no, but I would agree with this if it was for disabled vets!

[adamR]

Why should full time guard get it at no cost when disabled vets don't even get that?  Non disabled vets don't get a discount and I think they should... I hate to say this but over half of the full time guard in my old unit were fat worthless people riding the retirement train and staying away from deployments... Most of them couldn't pass a pt test and frankly there are more deserving military personnel than full time guard members...

[bigtex]

Current law:

(1) Upon written application, a combination fishing license shall be issued at the reduced rate of five dollars and all hunting licenses shall be issued at the reduced rate of a youth hunting license fee for the following individuals:

     (a) A resident sixty-five years old or older who is an honorably discharged veteran of the United States armed forces having a service-connected disability;

     (b) A resident who is an honorably discharged veteran of the United States armed forces with a thirty percent or more service-connected disability;

     (c) A resident with a disability who permanently uses a wheelchair;

     (d) A resident who is blind or visually impaired; and

     (e) A resident with a developmental disability as defined in RCW 71A.10.020 with documentation of the disability certified by a physician licensed to practice in this state.

     (2) Upon department verification of eligibility, a nonstate resident veteran with a disability who otherwise satisfies the criteria of subsection (1)(a) and (b) of this section must be issued a combination fishing license or any hunting license at the same cost charged to a nondisabled Washington resident for the same license.

[montana44mag]

How bout they just use our hard earned tax dollars to buy their own tags like everybody else?

I'd rather see incentives for people who SAVE the state money. Something like::

Not on welfare or food stamps? gets one point
Homeschool a child? one point per child
carry CCW and have had a firearms class? get a point
every 50k in taxes: get a point
VOLUNTEER in approved community programs: get a point


points can be traded in for incentives, tabs, license, ID, boat license, dog license, etc.... Hopefully encouraging people to be more self sufficient.

 

[ctwiggs1]

Yeah, no.   

Find a way to pay for the schools, then we can talk about silly things like this.

[pianoman9701]

No.