BILL ANALYSIS Ó
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| SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND WATER |
| Senator Fran Pavley, Chair |
| 2011-2012 Regular Session |
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BILL NO: SB 1288 HEARING DATE: April 24, 2012
AUTHOR: Harman URGENCY: No
VERSION: As proposed to be amended CONSULTANT: Alena Pribyl
DUAL REFERRAL: No FISCAL: Yes
SUBJECT: Hunting licenses.
BACKGROUND AND EXISTING LAW
A hunting license is required to take birds and mammals in the
state of California. Hunting licenses are acquired through the
Department of Fish and Game (DFG).
Current law requires DFG to provide reduced fee hunting licenses
to disabled veterans. Military personnel who are at least 70%
disabled are also eligible for a free hunting permit during the
period of time the person is in the medical facility.
Active military personnel who are recovering service members are
defined as a member of the Armed Forces, including a member of
the National Guard or a Reserve, who is undergoing medical
treatment, recuperation, or therapy and is in an outpatient
status while recovering from a serious injury or illness related
to the member's military service (Section 1602 of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008).
Wounded Warrior programs are efforts by the U.S. Armed Services
to care for recovering service members during their transition
back to civilian life. This system of support and advocacy
guides soldiers from evacuation through treatment and
rehabilitation until they return to duty or leave the military.
Research on individuals with physical disabilities shows
participation in recreational activities develops an enhanced
sense of control in their physical and social lives (Blinde and
McClung 1997). In the U.S. Marines Wounded Warrior Regiment
Strategic Plan for 2011-2012, under Goal 1, objective 1.2, they
list "Empower Wounded, Ill and Injured Marines and families by
providing a variety of leisure/recreation activities and
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sporting opportunities to aid in their recovery process and to
promote a healthy and productive lifestyle."
Several states currently offer reduced cost (Florida, Michigan,
Nevada, New Mexico, Virginia, Wisconsin) or free hunting
licenses (Colorado, Illinois, Texas, Vermont) for active duty
military personnel.
Blinde, E.M. and L.R. McClung. 1997. Enhancing the Physical and
Social Self Through Recreational Activity:
Accounts of Individuals With Physical Disabilities. Adapted
Physical Activity Quarterly 14: 327-344.
PROPOSED LAW
This bill would require DFG to provide reduced fee hunting
licenses to active military personnel who are recovering service
members. A person would need to submit a letter from their
commanding officer and from a military medical doctor stating
that they are a recovering service member to be eligible for the
reduced fee.
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT
The author states that a significant part of the healing process
for seriously injured service members is enabling and
encouraging them to experience some of the recreational
activities they enjoyed prior to their injury or illness. This
bill would allow service members to enjoy California's natural
resources as part of their rehabilitative care at a discounted
price. Disabled veterans are currently eligible for reduced fee
hunting licenses, however those in active service and are
participating in therapy for their injuries are currently not
covered by the present law. This bill remedies that disparity
and allows DFG to recognize both disabled veterans and wounded
warriors equitably.
ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION
None received
COMMENTS
The author has requested the following amendments to be taken in
committee. Recovering service personnel may not be in contact
with their commanding officer, thus they will be required to
provide a letter from either their commanding officer or a
military medical doctor.
AMENDMENT 1
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Page 2, line 28: replace "and" with "or"
AMENDMENT 2
Page 2, line 30: replace "sport fishing" with "hunting"
Page 2, line 33: replace "sport fishing" with "hunting"
Page 2, line 34: replace "sport fishing" with "hunting"
SUPPORT
Military Order of the Purple Heart of the USA, Inc., Department
of California
California Waterfowl Association
Newport Beach Sunrise Rotary
OPPOSITION
None Received
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