HSB 205 (LSB 2517HC (2) 90)

HOUSE FILE _____ 

BY  (PROPOSED COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS BILL BY CHAIRPERSON INGELS)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to hunting by persons with disabilities arising from military service.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 35A.14, Code 2023, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  4A.  Moneys appropriated to or received by the department for purposes of this section may be used to issue a grant for the purchase of an archery season deer hunting license and tag by a veteran who is eligible under subsection 4. A veteran receiving a license and tag under this subsection is authorized to use a crossbow in any archery season while hunting with the tag pursuant to section 483A.8.
    Sec. 2.  Section 483A.4, Code 2023, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  3.  The person served in the armed forces of the United States and has an injury arising from that person’s military service.
    Sec. 3.  Section 483A.8, subsection 8, Code 2023, is amended to read as follows:
   8.  a.  The commission shall adopt a rule rules permitting a resident to use a crossbow for taking deer during the late season that is designated for taking deer by muzzleloading rifle or muzzleloading pistol.
   b.  The commission shall adopt rules allowing a person who has a permanent disability due to an injury specified in section 483A.4, subsection 3, to use a crossbow while hunting with a tag designated for use in any archery season.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill relates to hunting by persons with disabilities arising from military service. Current law provides a definition of “permanent disability” for the purposes of obtaining a hunting or fishing license. A resident who has a permanent disability may purchase a hunting or fur harvester license that does not include the wildlife habitat fee. Additionally, a resident who has a permanent disability whose income falls below the federal poverty guidelines may receive a free annual fishing or combined hunting and fishing license. The bill adds a person who served in the armed forces of the United States and has an injury arising from that person’s military service to the definition of “permanent disability”.
   The bill requires the natural resource commission to adopt rules allowing a person who has a permanent disability based on an injury arising from that person’s military service to use a crossbow while hunting with a tag designated for use in any archery season. Moneys appropriated to or received by the Iowa department of veterans affairs for purposes of funding the injured veterans grant program may be used to issue a grant for the purchase of an archery season deer hunting license and tag by a veteran who is otherwise eligible to receive a grant under the program. A veteran receiving a license and tag through the use of a grant is authorized to use a crossbow in any archery season while hunting with the tag.