HB 1507-FN – AS INTRODUCED
2010 SESSION
10/04
HOUSE BILL 1507-FN
AN ACT relative to hunting and fishing licenses for disabled veterans, active duty members of the armed forces, and residents returning from active duty.
SPONSORS: Rep. Emiro, Rock 3; Rep. Fields, Belk 2; Rep. K. Roberts, Ches 3; Rep. Kappler, Rock 2; Rep. J. Johnson, Ches 6
COMMITTEE: Fish and Game and Marine Resources
The bill allows resident and nonresident active duty members of the armed forces, as well as residents returning from active duty, to receive free hunting and fishing licenses. This bill also allows veterans with a disability rating of 20 percent or greater to receive free hunting and fishing licenses.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
10-2586
10/04
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Ten
AN ACT relative to hunting and fishing licenses for disabled veterans, active duty members of the armed forces, and residents returning from active duty.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Fish and Game Licenses; Members of Armed Forces. Amend RSA 214:3 to read as follows:
214:3 Members of the United States Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard.
I. Any resident of this state who is on regular active duty in the United States army, navy, marines, air force, or coast guard and who is permanently stationed outside of the state, may acquire at no charge, upon application to the executive director and subject to the restrictions of title XVIII, a special license to hunt and fish during any period while on leave or furlough.
II. Any nonresident who is on regular active duty in the United States army, navy, marines, air force, or coast guard and who is permanently stationed within the state, may [purchase] acquire regular hunting and fishing licenses or combination licenses, subject to the restrictions of title XVIII, at [the same fee as is charged a legal resident of the state] no charge, upon application to the executive director.
II-a. An active military identification shall constitute satisfactory proof under paragraphs I and II.
II-b. Any resident of this state upon his or her discharge or release from active duty with the armed forces in a qualifying duty location, may acquire, for a one-year period following such discharge or release, regular hunting and fishing licenses or combination licenses, subject to the restrictions of title XVIII, at no charge, upon application to the executive director. For the purpose of this paragraph, a “qualifying duty location” means:
(a) A hazardous duty area, as recognized by the Internal Revenue Service; or
(b) A combat zone, as designated by Presidential Executive Order.
III. The executive director shall adopt rules pursuant to RSA 541-A relative to:
(a) Establishing any restrictions on the use of a special license issued under paragraph I or a regular license issued under paragraph II or II-b.
(b) The documentation required in order to qualify for a license under [this section] paragraph II-b.
(c) The locations at which a license may be issued.
2 Fish and Game Licenses; Disabled Veterans. Amend RSA 214:13 to read as follows:
214:13 Veterans[, Totally and Permanently Disabled]; Service-Connected Disability. If the applicant for a fishing and hunting license is a resident of the state, has received a discharge other than dishonorable from service in any war or police action in which the United States has been engaged and [is totally and permanently disabled from such] has a combined service-connected disability rating by the United States Department of Veterans’ Affairs of 20 percent or greater, the executive director shall issue a special veteran’s license to said applicant. Said license shall be perpetual. The executive director shall retain the records for such licenses for a period not less than 7 years. Loss or destruction of the license after 7 years shall obligate the licensee to re-establish eligibility. A $10 administrative fee shall be charged once, upon application to the executive director for such license.
3 Reciprocity; Reference Changed. Amend RSA 214:13-b to read as follows:
214:13-b Reciprocity; Nonresident Licenses; Certain Persons. The executive director may issue upon application complimentary nonresident hunting and fishing licenses to a person from another state who is suffering from paraplegia or who is suffering from the loss of, or the loss of the use of, both lower extremities, or [is a totally and permanently disabled veteran,] who has a combined service-connected disability rating by the United States Department of Veterans’ Affairs of 20 percent or greater and who would be eligible if a resident under RSA 214:13, if the state in which said person is a resident provides a reciprocal privilege for residents of this state who are similarly suffering. The executive director shall determine the form of such complimentary licenses. All such licenses shall be consecutively numbered. A license issued under this section shall be effective for the lifetime of the applicant unless sooner suspended or revoked by the executive director.
4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2010.
LBAO
10-2586
11/23/09
HB 1507-FN - FISCAL NOTE
AN ACT relative to hunting and fishing licenses for disabled veterans, active duty members of the armed forces, and residents returning from active duty.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Fish & Game Department states this bill will decrease state fish and game fund revenue by an indeterminable amount in FY 2011 and each fiscal year thereafter. There will be no fiscal impact on county and local revenue or state, county, and local expenditures.
METHODOLOGY:
The Fish and Game Department states section 1 of this bill allows additional residents who are discharged or released from active duty with the armed forces in a qualifying duty location to obtain, for a one year period following discharge, a free hunting, fishing, or combination license from the Department. The Department states it is unable to determine the reduction to fish and game fund revenue that will result from this section.
The Department states section 2 of this bill provides resident veterans with 20% or greater service-connected disability free combination hunting and fishing licenses. Currently, resident veterans must be rated at 100% disability. The Department calculated the potential loss of revenue resulting from this change using 2005 data from the Veterans Benefits Administration and the Department. The Department states that currently 57% of eligible residents hold a disabled veterans license (596 of 1,049). In 2005 there were 10,012 veterans with a disability rating of 20% or greater. If 57% of those eligible applied for the license, 5,707 licenses would be issued. Since 596 have already been issued, it is assumed an additional 5,111 licenses would be issued under this bill. The cost for each license is $48.50; therefore, the estimated potential loss of fish and game fund revenue is $247,884 in FY 2011 and each fiscal year thereafter.
The Department states section 3 of this bill provides non-resident veterans with 20% or greater service-connected disability free combination hunting and fishing licenses if the applicant’s state of residence allows the same privilege to New Hampshire residents. Currently, non-resident veterans must be rated at 100% disability, and the only state with reciprocity is Vermont. The Department states that currently 4% of eligible Vermont residents hold a disabled veterans license (21 of 541). In 2005 there were 3,898 Vermont veterans with a
LBAO
10-2586
11/23/09
disability rating of 20% or greater. If 4% of those eligible applied for the license, 156 licenses would be issued. Since 21 have already been issued, it is assumed an additional 135 licenses would be issued under this bill. The cost for each non-resident license is $143.50; therefore, the estimated potential loss of fish and game fund revenue is $19,373 in FY 2011 and each fiscal year thereafter.