SF 22 (LSB 1308XS (3) 90)

SENATE FILE 22

BY  ZAUN

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to lifetime hunting and fishing licenses available for certain disabled veterans.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 483A.24, subsection 16, Code 2023, is amended to read as follows:
   16.  Upon payment of the fee established by rules adopted pursuant to section 483A.1 for a lifetime fishing license or lifetime hunting and fishing combined license, the department shall issue a lifetime fishing license or lifetime hunting and fishing combined license to a resident of Iowa who has served in the armed forces of the United States on federal active duty and who was disabled or was a prisoner of war during that veteran’s military service. The department shall prepare an application to be used by a person requesting a lifetime fishing license or lifetime hunting and fishing combined license under this subsection. The department of veterans affairs shall assist the department in verifying the status or claims of applicants under this subsection. As used in this subsection, “disabled” means entitled to a service connected rating under  38 U.S.C. ch. 11.
    Sec. 2.  Section 483A.24, Code 2023, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  21.  The department shall issue without fee a lifetime fishing license or lifetime hunting and fishing combined license to a resident of Iowa who has served in the armed forces of the United States on federal active duty and who was disabled during that veteran’s military service. The department shall prepare an application to be used by a person requesting a lifetime fishing license or lifetime hunting and fishing combined license under this subsection. Upon application, the person shall provide proof of service in the armed forces of the United States on federal active duty, proof of disability resulting from that service, a disability rating of at least zero percent determined by the department of veterans affairs, and proof of Iowa residency at the time of application. The department of veterans affairs shall assist the department in verifying the status or claims of applicants under this subsection. As used in this subsection, “disabled” means entitled to a service-connected rating between zero and one hundred percent under 38 U.S.C. ch. 11.
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 lifetime hunting and fishing licenses available to certain disabled veterans. Under current law, a resident who served in the armed forces of the United States on federal active duty and who was disabled during that veteran’s military service shall be issued a lifetime fishing license or lifetime hunting and fishing combined license after payment of a fee established by rule.
   Under the bill, a resident disabled veteran may apply for and receive a lifetime fishing license or a lifetime hunting and fishing combined license without fee. A person applying for a license under the bill shall provide proof of service in the armed forces of the United States on federal active duty, proof of disability resulting from that service, a disability rating of at least 0 percent determined by the department of veterans affairs, and proof of Iowa residency at the time of application. The bill requires the department of veterans affairs to assist the department of natural resources in verifying the status or claims of applicants under the bill. For purposes of the bill, “disability” means entitled to a service-connected rating between 0 and 100 percent under 38 U.S.C. ch. 11.