BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    Ó



                                                                      



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          |SENATE RULES COMMITTEE            |                  SB 1288|
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                                    CONSENT


          Bill No:  SB 1288
          Author:   Harman (R)
          Amended:  4/26/12
          Vote:     21

           
           SENATE NATURAL RESOURCES AND WATER COMM.  :  9-0, 4/24/12
          AYES:  Pavley, La Malfa, Cannella, Evans, Fuller, Kehoe, 
            Padilla, Simitian, Wolk

           SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE  :  Senate Rule 28.8


           SUBJECT  :    Hunting licenses

           SOURCE  :     Author


           DIGEST  :    This bill requires the Department of Fish and 
          Game (DFG) to issue a reduced fee hunting license to 
          military personnel who are recovering service members, as 
          defined, and who demonstrate eligibility, as prescribed. 

           ANALYSIS  :    

          Existing law:

          1.Requires DFG to issue a hunting license, upon payment of 
            a fee, to eligible California residents and nonresidents, 
            as specified.

          2.Requires DFG to issue a reduced fee hunting license, as 
            specified, to a disabled veteran, as defined.
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          This bill requires DFG to issue a reduced fee hunting 
          license to military personnel who are recovering service 
          members, as defined, and who demonstrate eligibility, as 
          prescribed.

           Background  

          A hunting license is required to take birds and mammals in 
          the state of California. Hunting licenses are acquired 
          through DFG.

          Existing law requires DFG to provide reduced fee hunting 
          licenses to disabled veterans. Military personnel who are 
          at least 70 percent 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 
          sporting opportunities to aid in their recovery process and 
          to promote a healthy and productive lifestyle."

          Several states currently offer reduced cost (Florida, 







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          Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Virginia, Wisconsin) or free 
          hunting licenses (Colorado, Illinois, Texas, Vermont) for 
          active duty military personnel.

           FISCAL EFFECT  :    Appropriation:  No   Fiscal Com.:  Yes   
          Local:  No

           SUPPORT  :   (Verified  4/24/12)

          California Waterfowl Association
          Military Order of the Purple Heart of the USA, Inc., 
          Department of 
             California
          Newport Beach Sunrise Rotary

           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."


          CTW:do  5/22/12   Senate Floor Analyses 

                         SUPPORT/OPPOSITION:  SEE ABOVE

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