DNR Letterhead

BILL ANALYSIS

BILL NUMBER:	Senate Bill 755 (As Introduced)
TOPIC:	To make hunting & fishing licenses free to disabled veterans
SPONSOR:	Senator Allen
CO-SPONSORS:	Senators Garcia, Richardville, Birkholz, Pappageorge, Kahn, Hardiman, Jelinek, Van Woerkom, Patterson, Cropsey, McManus, Kuipers, Olshove, Jansen, Switalski, Cherry, Stamas, Jacobs, Brown, Barcia, Gleason, Whitmer, Sanborn, Anderson, Basham, Bishop, Schauer, Hunter, Scott, Clark-Coleman, and Clarke
COMMITTEE:	Senior Citizens and Veterans Affairs
Analysis Done:	October 1, 2007

POSITION

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is opposed to the enactment of SB 755. The bill would waive license fees for most veterans who are permanently and totally disabled.

PROBLEM/BACKGROUND

Currently, disabled veterans entitled to receive benefits at the 100 percent rate and who are not legally blind, may purchase hunting and fishing licenses at the discounted senior rate of 60 percent. Other veterans, regardless of when they served or whether they were injured in combat, pay the full rate.

DESCRIPTION OF BILL

SB 755 would amend 1994 Public Act 451, "Natural resources and environmental protection act," which allows resident veterans who were permanently and totally disabled as a result of military service and entitled to veterans' benefits at the 100 percent rate, for a disability other than blindness, to obtain free of charge, any hunting and fishing license. This bill would also allow a resident who was a member of the armed services during World War I or World War II, or a resident who was a recipient of the Purple Heart medal, to obtain free hunting and fishing licenses.

SUMMARY OF ARGUMENTS

Pro

This legislation would make hunting and fishing licenses free to many disabled and other veterans as a small gesture of the State's gratitude for their sacrifice for the country.

Con

The DNR agrees that it is important to support our troops and veterans and that every opportunity to help express the State's gratitude should be made. In principle, the DNR agrees with this legislation. However, the loss of revenue would only exacerbate the DNR's current financial situation. In addition, making the licenses free would also disqualify these sales from being submitted for Federal matching dollars under the Dingell Johnson-Pittman Robertson programs. Lastly, it is uncertain how the DNR would verify proof of eligibility for on-line sales of these licenses. Development of the on-line system to reprogram additional checks on these purchases would also be an additional cost to the DNR.

FISCAL/ECONOMIC IMPACT

Are there revenue or budgetary implications in the bill to the --

(a) Department

Budgetary:

None

Revenue:

A revenue reduction to the program would occur under SB 755 because the subject veterans would receive free licenses. The revenue impact is not quantifiable since the subset of people who would qualify for and take advantage of this benefit is unknown, and current sales records do not separately capture this sub-population.

Free licenses are not eligible for receiving the Federal matching dollars for these hunters and anglers. In Fiscal Year 2006-2007, certified hunting and fishing licenses generated $11.43 and $9.86, respectively, per unique license.

Comments:

None

(b) State

Budgetary:

None

Revenue:

None

Comments:

None

(c) Local Government

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

OLAF/BSS