HF 21 (LSB 1041YH (3) 91)

HOUSE FILE 21

BY  COLLINS

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to fishing privileges of disabled veterans, and making penalties applicable.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 483A.6A, subsection 2, Code 2025, is amended to read as follows:
   2.  A Except for a nonresident qualified under section 483A.24, subsection 16, paragraph “b”, a nonresident fishing for paddlefish on the Missouri or Big Sioux river is required to have a fishing license that is valid in Iowa and, in addition, purchase a nonresident paddlefish fishing license.
    Sec. 2.  Section 483A.24, subsection 16, Code 2025, is amended to read as follows:
   16.  a.  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.
   b.  A person, regardless of whether the person is a resident, may fish without acquiring a fishing license if that person has served in the armed forces of the United States on federal active duty and was disabled during that veteran’s military service, as verified by the department of veterans affairs. While fishing pursuant to this paragraph, the person shall, upon request of a peace officer, display proof of the person’s veteran status and disability status in the same manner and subject to the same procedures and penalties as provided by section 483A.19.
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 fishing privileges for 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 is eligible to obtain a lifetime fishing license or lifetime hunting and fishing combined license.
   Under the bill, any person, regardless of whether the person is a resident, who is a disabled veteran may fish without acquiring a fishing license if the person’s disability occurred during the veteran’s military service. A person fishing in such manner shall, upon request of a peace officer, display proof of the person’s veteran status and disability status. A person who fails to provide the necessary documentation is guilty of a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation with a fine of $35. A person charged with failing to produce the necessary documentation may avoid conviction if the person produces in court, within a reasonable time, proof of the person’s veteran and disability status.
   The bill also makes a conforming change to the Code section concerning nonresident paddlefish fishing licenses and tags.