HF 2021 (LSB 5050YH (3) 91)

HOUSE FILE 2021

BY  GEARHART

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to ginseng harvesting privileges for disabled veterans.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  456A.39  Lifetime ginseng harvesting permit for disabled veterans.
   1.  As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
   a.  “Disabled veteran” means a veteran who has been honorably discharged from active military service in the armed forces of the United States and who has a service-connected disability rating of zero percent or higher as certified by the United States department of veterans affairs.
   b.  “Harvest ginseng” means the taking, possessing, and selling of American ginseng pursuant to a program established by the department under section 456A.24.
   2.  A resident of Iowa who is a disabled veteran may submit an application the department for a lifetime ginseng harvesting permit as provided in this section.
   3.  Upon application and payment of a one-time fee of seven dollars and issuance of a lifetime ginseng harvesting permit by the department, a disabled veteran shall be authorized to harvest ginseng in accordance with applicable season restrictions, quantity limits, and reporting requirements established by the department. The permit shall be valid for the lifetime of the permittee.
   4.  A lifetime ginseng harvesting permit issued under this section shall be used in lieu of an annual ginseng harvesting permit and shall be subject to the same rules and enforcement provisions governing ginseng harvesting under this chapter and chapter 481A.
   5.  The department shall prepare an application form and adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A as necessary to implement this section. The department of veterans affairs shall assist the department in verifying the status or claims of applicants under this section.
   6.  Fees collected under this section shall be deposited in the state fish and game protection fund established under section 456A.17.
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 ginseng harvesting permits for disabled veterans. The bill defines “disabled veteran” as a resident of Iowa who has been honorably discharged from active military service in the armed forces of the United States and who has a service-connected disability rating of 0 percent or higher. A disabled veteran may obtain a lifetime ginseng harvesting permit upon payment of a fee of $7 to the department of natural resources (DNR). The permit shall authorize a disabled veteran to harvest ginseng in accordance with applicable season restrictions, quantity limits, and reporting requirements. DNR shall prepare an application to be used by a person requesting a lifetime ginseng harvesting permit under the bill. The department of veterans affairs shall assist DNR in verifying the status or claims of applicants.
   The bill directs all fees collected to be deposited in the state fish and game protection fund.