SF 425 (LSB 2020XS (3) 85)

SENATE FILE 425

BY  JOHNSON

A BILL FOR

An Act providing for the issuance of special hunting licenses to certain nonresident disabled persons who are veterans or who are serving in the military.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 483A.24, Code 2013, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  11A.  The commission shall issue a special turkey hunting license or any sex deer hunting license to a nonresident who served in the armed forces of the United States on active federal service and is disabled, or who is serving in the armed forces of the United States on active federal service and is disabled, to enable the disabled person to participate in a hunt that is conducted by an organization that conducts hunting experiences in this state for such disabled persons. The licenses shall be issued as follows:
   a.  The commission shall prepare an application to be used by the person requesting the special license, which requires that the person’s attending physician sign the form declaring that the person has a disability and is eligible for the special license. The person is not required to have a disability that was sustained during military service to be eligible for a license under this subsection.
   (1)  The department shall verify that the license will be used by the applicant in connection with a hunt conducted by an approved organization that conducts hunting experiences in this state for disabled veterans and members of the armed forces serving on federal active duty who are disabled. The commission shall specify, by rules adopted under chapter 17A, what requirements an organization must meet in order to be approved to conduct hunts for disabled persons who obtain licenses under this subsection.
   (2)  The department of veterans affairs shall assist the department in verifying the status or claims of applicants under this subsection.
   b.  A license issued under this subsection shall be in addition to the number of nonresident wild turkey hunting licenses authorized pursuant to section 483A.7 and nonresident deer hunting licenses authorized pursuant to section 483A.8. However, a nonresident who obtains a license pursuant to this subsection is not eligible to obtain a nonresident wild turkey hunting license or deer hunting license under any other provision of law.
   c.  The turkey hunting licenses are valid in all zones open to turkey hunting and shall be available for issuance and use during any turkey hunting season. The deer hunting licenses are valid in all zones open to deer hunting and shall be available for issuance and use during any deer hunting season.
   d.  A disabled person who receives a special license under this subsection shall purchase a hunting license that includes the wildlife habitat fee, and a wild turkey hunting license or a deer hunting license, if applicable, all for the same fees that are charged to resident hunters. If hunting deer, the disabled person shall also pay a one dollar fee that shall be used and is appropriated for the purpose of deer herd population management, including assisting with the cost of processing deer donated to the help us stop hunger program administered by the commission.
   e.  A special hunting license that includes the wildlife habitat fee shall be available for issuance under this subsection to a disabled veteran or disabled member of the armed forces serving on active federal service, for the same fee that is charged to a resident hunter, to enable such a disabled person to participate in a hunt conducted by an organization approved under this subsection for which only a hunting license is required.
   f.  A disabled person who receives a special license under this subsection shall complete the hunter safety and ethics education course.
   g.  A license issued under this subsection is valid for use only on a hunt conducted by an organization approved under this subsection.
   h.  The commission shall adopt rules under chapter 17A for the administration of this subsection.
EXPLANATION
   This bill requires the natural resource commission to issue special deer hunting licenses and wild turkey hunting licenses to certain nonresident disabled veterans and disabled persons currently on federal active duty in the military for use on hunts conducted by approved organizations that conduct hunting experiences in the state for such disabled persons. The department of natural resources is to adopt rules specifying what requirements an organization must meet to be approved.
   The special licenses are available to nonresident disabled veterans and persons currently on federal active duty who are disabled, regardless of whether the disability is related to their military service. The department of veterans affairs shall assist the department in verifying the status of applicants for the licenses.
   The special licenses are in addition to the number of nonresident wild turkey and deer hunting licenses that are otherwise authorized by law. A nonresident who obtains one of the special licenses is not eligible to obtain another nonresident wild turkey or deer hunting license under any other provision of law.
   The special licenses are valid in all zones open to turkey or deer hunting, and during all turkey or deer hunting seasons, as applicable.
   A nonresident who purchases a special license must also purchase a hunting license that includes the wildlife habitat fee, all for the same fees as a resident hunter. A nonresident who purchases a special deer hunting license must also pay the $1 fee for the purpose of deer herd population management, including assisting with the cost of processing deer donated to the help us stop hunger program.
   A special hunting license that includes the wildlife habitat fee is available to such disabled persons for the same fee that is charged to a resident hunter to enable the disabled persons to participate in a hunt conducted by an approved organization for which only a hunting license is required.
   A disabled person who receives one of the special licenses must complete the hunter safety and ethics education course.