The Fish and Wildlife Commission (Commission) and the Department of Fish and Wildlife (Department) operate under a mandate to preserve, protect, perpetuate, and manage the fish, shellfish, and wildlife of the state.  This responsibility includes the authority to establish hunting and fishing seasons and harvesting limits in ways that do not impair fish and wildlife resources, and a duty to attempt to maximize the public recreational hunting and fishing opportunities for all citizens regardless of age or ability.

The Advisory Committee on Hunters and Fishers with Disabilities (Advisory Committee), also referred to as the Americans with Disabilities Act Advisory Committee, was created as a pilot program in 2001 and made permanent in 2008.  The Advisory Committee is composed of seven volunteer members, each an individual with a disability, representing each of the Department's six administrative regions with one at-large member.

At least once every four years, the Commission must provide a report to the appropriate legislative committees on the effectiveness of the Advisory Committee, including participation levels, general interest, quality of advice, and recommendations about the Advisory Committee's modification or continuance.  The most recent report was completed in 2019 and the next report is due in 2023.

The Commission may appoint up to two additional Advisory Committee members who can demonstrate experience working with disabled persons in a natural resource environment.  The non-exhaustive list of disabilities that would qualify an individual with a disability for service on the Advisory Committee is deleted.

The requirement that the Commission report to the Legislature on the effectiveness of the Advisory Committee is modified.  Instead of at least every four years, the Commission must report to the Legislature at least every two years, by December 1.  The report must be concise and include levels of participation in hunting and fishing by persons with disabilities along with any recommendations to maintain accessibility for persons with disabilities.  The requirement that the report cover general interest, quality of advice, and recommendations about the Advisory Committee's modification or continuance is removed.