BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SB 1288
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Date of Hearing: June 12, 2012
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON WATER, PARKS AND WILDLIFE
Jared Huffman, Chair
SB 1288 (Harman) - As Amended: April 26, 2012
SENATE VOTE : 33 - 0
SUBJECT : Hunting licenses - Recovering Service Members
SUMMARY : Allows recovering service members of the military to
purchase a reduced fee hunting license. Specifically, this
bill : Adds recovering service members to those eligible to
purchase a reduced fee hunting license. A person would need to
submit a letter from their commanding officer or from a military
medical doctor stating that they are a recovering service member
to be eligible for the reduced fee.
EXISTING LAW
1)Requires a hunting license, acquired through the Department of
Fish and Game (DFG), for the take of birds and mammals in the
state of California.
2)Requires DFG to provide reduced fee hunting licenses to
disabled veterans meaning a person having a 50 % or greater
service-connected disability and an honorable discharge from
military service.
3)Requires DFG to provide a free hunting permit to any member of
the armed forces of the United States who is in a military
medical facility and who is at least 70 % disabled.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Senate Appropriations
Committee, pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8, negligible state costs.
COMMENTS :
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.
Recreation can improve people's physical and mental health and
SB 1288
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well-being, and it is widely used by the U.S. military for
training and rehabilitation. The U.S. Marines Wounded Warrior
Regiment Strategic Plan for 2011-2012 states a goal to "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." 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.
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.
Colorado legislation (2010) stated that "offering reduced-cost
or free big game hunting licenses to such recovering service
members is a small, but recognizable, acknowledgment of their
selfless service and sacrifice."
Supporting Arguments: The author states, "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. SB 1288 would allow these service members to enjoy
California's natural resources as part of their rehabilitative
care at a discounted price. Those in uniform who remain in
active service and who are participating in therapy for their
injuries are currently not covered by present law and thus not
recognized by DFG as with their veteran counterparts. SB 1288
remedies this disparity and allows DFG to recognize both
veterans and wounded warriors equitably."
Suggested Committee Amendments: a minor technical amendment and
addition of co-authors.
Amendment 1:
Per author request, add the following co-authors:
Senators Dutton, Fuller, Runner
Assemblymembers Harkey, Jefferies
Amendment 2:
SB 1288
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Page 2, line 22-24:
(c) "Recovering service member" means a member of the military
who meets the definition of "recovering service member" in
section 1602(7) The National Defense Administration
Authorization Act for fiscal year 2008?"
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
American Legion-Department of California
AMVETS Department of California
California Association of County Veterans Service Officers
California State Commanders Veterans Council
California Waterfowl Association
Military Order of the Purple Heart of the USA, Inc., Department
of California
Vietnam Veterans of America - California State Council
Opposition
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by : Mandy Arens / W., P. & W. / (916)
319-2096