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State of
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JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM governor |
DEPARTMENT
OF NATURAL RESOURCES |
REBECCA A. HUMPHRIES director |
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State of
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JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM governor |
DEPARTMENT
OF NATURAL RESOURCES |
REBECCA A. HUMPHRIES director |
BILL NUMBER: SB 1148 as INTRODUCED
TOPIC: Free hunting/fishing licenses for military personnel
SPONSOR: Senator Prusi
CO-SPONSORS: Senators Patterson, Leland, Sanborn, Stamas, Thomas III, Cropsey, Goschka, Garcia, Hardiman,
Jacobs, Bernero, Brater,
Emerson, Barcia, Cherry, Basham, McManus and Switalski
COMMITTEE: Natural Resources and Environmental
Affairs
Analysis Done:
POSITION
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is neutral
on the enactment of Senate Bill 1148.
PROBLEM/BACKGROUND
Currently, active military personnel stationed
outside of the state must present their leave papers at a DNR field location to
purchase a discounted hunting or fishing license for $1.00.
DESCRIPTION OF BILL
SB 1148 would amend the current law in two ways. For those who qualify to receive the
discount, their licenses would now be provided free of charge rather than
$1.00. In addition, military personnel
would now be able to receive their discount from any of the approximately 1,700
licensed agents located around the state.
Currently, military personnel must go during business hours to one of 10
DNR offices located around the state to receive the military discount. This issue is currently being addressed by
the DNR’s Office of Grants, Contracts and Customer Systems,
and we expect to have military licenses available at any Point-of-Sale agent by
SUMMARY OF ARGUMENTS
Pro
This statutory change will make it easier for
military personnel to receive a free hunting/fishing license at hundreds of
locations around the state.
Con
Revenue will be decreased by the elimination of the
$1.00 military fee and widespread distribution of the military licenses. This legislation will also result in a loss
of Federal revenue due to the issuance of free licenses. The DNR is required annually to certify to
the United States Fish and Wildlife Service the number of hunting and fishing
licenses that were sold and resulted in revenue of at least $1.00. This number is used in determining the amount
of the Federal apportionment awarded to the State under the Dingell-Johnson and
Pittman-Robertson programs.
FISCAL/ECONOMIC
IMPACT
Are there revenue or
budgetary implications in the bill to the --
Budgetary:
None.
Revenue:
The DNR would lose Federal revenue due to this
bill. In Fiscal Year 2002-2003, the
certification of every license generating more than $1.00 in revenue resulted
in Federal revenue of $7.09 for every fishing license and $8.25 for every
hunting license. As a condition of
receiving some Federal grants, the DNR must report the number of licenses sold
during the previous license year. No-cost
licenses cannot be included as part of that count.
Comments:
None.
Budgetary:
None.
Revenue:
None.
Comments:
None.
Comments:
None.
OTHER STATE DEPARTMENTS
None.
ANY OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION
None.
ADMINISTRATIVE
RULES IMPACT
Rules can be
promulgated to provide for administration of the act.
_______________________________
Rebecca A. Humphries
Director
_______________________________
Date
GCACS/BSS
