HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

SSB 5087

BYSenate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Senators Bender, Warnke, Rasmussen, Vognild, Owen and Conner)

Dealing with game and game fish.

House Committe on Fisheries & Wildlife

House Staff:Robert Butts (786-7841)

BACKGROUND:

Under current law, honorably discharged veterans may receive an annual Department of Wildlife hunting and fishing license free of charge if they:  (1) are 65 years of age or older; (2) have a service-connected disability; and (3) have been a resident for five years.

There are no provisions for free hunting and fishing licenses for disabled veterans younger than 65, or specific criteria regarding the extent of a disability necessary to qualify for a free license.

SUMMARY:

Honorably discharged veterans who have been residents for five years and who are 65 years of age or older at the time the act becomes effective may receive free permanent hunting and fishing licenses, no matter the extent of their disabilities.

Disabled veterans who are younger than 65 when the bill becomes effective may receive a permanent hunting and fishing license if: (1) the disability has been determined to be permanent; (2) the disability is 30 percent or greater; and (3) the disabled veteran has been a resident for five years.

All disabled veterans who apply for free licenses must provide documentation from the Veterans Administration verifying their disability.

Fiscal Note:      Available.