Washington

2024

  • Senate Bill 5862
    • Summary: Would provide for free fishing & hunting license to State Guard members
    • Status: Engrossed on February 7 2024 – 50% progression, died in committee
    • Action: 2024-03-07 – By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading.

(1) Upon written application, a combination fishing license shall 7 be issued at the reduced rate of ((five dollars)) $5 and all hunting 8 licenses shall be issued at the reduced rate of a youth hunting license fee for the following individuals:

(3) Upon written application and department verification, the following recreational hunting licenses must be issued at no cost to a resident member of the state guard or national guard, as defined in
19 RCW 38.04.010, as long as the state guard or national guard member is: An active full-time state guard or national guard employee; or a state guard or national guard member whose status requires the state guard or national guard member to participate in drill training 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).

  • House Bill 2107
    • Summary: Provides free hunting licenses to tribal members of federally recognized Indian tribes with off-reservation hunting rights in Washington, acknowledging hunting’s cultural, spiritual, and practical significance for Native communities. It also extends the benefit of free hunting licenses to active members of the Washington State Guard and National Guard, recognizing their service to the state.
    • Status: Introduced on January 8 2024 – 25% progression, died in committee
    • Action: 2024-01-08 – First reading, referred to Agriculture and Natural Resources.

the legislature intends to provide free hunting 6 licenses to tribal members. In doing so, the legislature not only 7 honors the legacy of native hunters, but also contributes to the 8 continuity of traditional practices, ensuring that future generations 9 can inherit and carry forward the wisdom that hunting provides.

(1) Upon written application, a combination fishing license shall
13 be issued at the reduced rate of ((five dollars)) $5 and all hunting
14 licenses shall be issued at the reduced rate of a youth hunting
license fee for the following individuals:

A resident member of the state guard or national guard, as
4 defined in RCW 38.04.010, as long as the state guard or national
5 guard member is: An active full-time state guard or national guard
6 employee; or a state guard or national guard member whose status
7 requires the state guard or national guard member to participate in
8 drill training on a part-time basis

  • Senate Bill 5862
    • Summary: Concerning hunting and fishing licenses for nonresident college students.
    • Status: Engrossed on February 7 2024 – 50% progression, died in committee
    • Action: 2024-03-07 – By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading.
    • Pending: Senate Rules Committee

AN ACT Relating to hunting and fishing licenses for nonresident
college students; and amending RCW 77.32.480.2(3) Upon written application and department verification, the following recreational hunting licenses must be issued at no cost to
a resident member of the state guard or national guard, as defined in
RCW 38.04.010, as long as the state guard or national guard member
is: An active full-time state guard or national guard employee; or a
state guard or national guard member whose status requires the state
guard or national guard member to participate in drill training on a
part-time basis:23
(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).

  • House Bill 2014
    • Summary: Concerning the definition of veteran and restoring honor to veterans.
    • Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
      Status: Passed on March 18 2024 – 100% progression
      Action: 2024-03-18 – Effective date 6/6/2024*.

(3) Upon written application and department verification, the

following recreational hunting licenses must be issued at no cost to

a resident member of the state guard or national guard, as defined in

RCW 38.04.010, as long as the state guard or national guard member

is: An active full-time state guard or national guard employee; or a

state guard or national guard member whose status requires the state

guard or national guard member to participate in drill training on a

part-time basis:31

(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).

2014-S2.SL_

2023 Legislation

  • Senate Bill 5552
    • Summary: Allows State Military Forces to hold training exercises in State Park Land
    • Status: Introduced on January 25 2023 – 25% progression, died in committee
    • Action: 2024-01-08 – By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

The legislature finds that it is in the 5 best interest of the state to support the armed forces present in this state by authorizing the state parks and recreation commission to permit military exercises on state park land.

  • House Bill 1361
    • Summary: Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1361 updates state employment laws to modernize and streamline administrative processes. The bill removes outdated language, aligns reporting periods with the fiscal year, and improves payroll procedures, including requiring electronic funds transfer for employees hired after July 2023. It also refines policies on employee classifications, exemptions, and rights of reversion, enhancing efficiency and consistency in state personnel management.

Compensable benefits payable because of separation from state service shall be paid with the earnings for the final period worked unless the employee separating has not provided the agency with the proper notification of intent to terminate. One-half of the employee’s basic monthly salary shall be paid in each pay period. Employees paid on an hourly basis or employees who work less than a full pay period shall be paid for actual salary earned.

(4) Subsections (1), (2), and (3) of this section shall not apply in instances where it would conflict with contractual rights or, with the approval of the office of financial management, to short-term, intermittent, noncareer state employees, to student employees of institutions of higher education, and national or state guard members participating in state active duty and to liquor control
agency managers who are paid a percentage of monthly liquor sales. The University of Washington is not subject to the requirements of subsection (3) of this section until July 1, 2025.

(((3))) (5) When a national or state guard member is called to participate in state active duty, the paydate shall be no more than seven days following completion of duty or the end of the pay period, whichever is first. When the seventh day falls on Sunday, the paydate shall not be later than the following Monday. This subsection shall apply only to the pay a national or state guard member receives from the military department for state active duty.

  • House Bill 1235
    • Summary: Modifying miscellaneous provisions impacting department of fish and wildlife licensing requirements.
    • Status: Engrossed on March 8 2023 – 50% progression
    • Action: 2023-04-23 – By resolution, returned to House Rules Committee for third reading.

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:

Upon written application and department verification, the following recreational hunting licenses must be issued at no cost to a resident member of the state guard or national guard, as defined in RCW 38.04.010, as long as the state guard or national guard member is: An active full-time state guard or national guard employee; or a state guard or national guard member whose status requires the state guard or national guard member to participate in drill training 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).

2022 Legislation

  • House Bill 1122 – Click Here to Read Bill 
    • Summary: Concerning the retirement age for state guard members.
      • Age requirement can be extended beyond 64 per authorization
    • Status: Passed on March 31 2022 – 100% progression
    • Action: 2022-03-31 – Effective date 6/9/2022.

2021 Legislation

  • House Bill 1122
    • Summary: Concerning the retirement age for state guard members. The adjutant general, or the adjutant general’sdesignee, may extend the service age upon request by an active memberof the Washington state guard if the adjutant general, or theadjutant general’s designee, determines the member’s extension would be in the best interest of the Washington state guard.
    • Status: Senate State Government & Elections Committee
    • Final Status: Failed – Held in Committee 50% progression