Hewitt bill to assist military members passes Senate

March 12, 2009

OLYMPIA…Today the state Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 5008, which would assist members of the U.S. military in obtaining a hunting license in Washington.  

Under the bill any active duty member of the U.S. armed forces, National Guard or reserves who has been called to active duty may purchase a hunting license in Washington without the additional burden of completing a hunter safety course. Sen. Mike Hewitt, R-Walla Walla, is prime sponsor of the bill.  

“It seems like common sense that members of our military are skilled at handling firearms, but the law doesn’t recognize those skills when they apply for a hunting license,” said Hewitt. “There are some great hunting opportunities in Washington, and members of our military should be able to spend what little time they do have off recreating this way, if they choose to do so. This bill makes it easier for them to get through the hoops of applying for a hunting license by not forcing them to sit through a course to learn something they already know.”  

SB 5008 now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.  

For more information contact Senate Republican Caucus Communications Director  Rebecca Japhet at (360) 786-7516 or japhet.rebecca@leg.wa.gov.