BILL ANALYSIS Ó
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UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Bill No: SB 1288
Author: Harman (R), et al.
Amended: 6/15/12
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
SENATE FLOOR : 33-0, 5/25/12 (Consent)
AYES: Alquist, Anderson, Berryhill, Blakeslee, Cannella,
Corbett, Correa, De León, DeSaulnier, Dutton, Emmerson,
Evans, Fuller, Gaines, Harman, Hernandez, Huff, La Malfa,
Leno, Lieu, Liu, Lowenthal, Negrete McLeod, Padilla,
Pavley, Price, Rubio, Steinberg, Vargas, Walters, Wolk,
Wright, Yee
NO VOTE RECORDED: Calderon, Hancock, Kehoe, Runner,
Simitian, Strickland, Wyland
ASSEMBLY FLOOR : 79-0, 8/16/12 (Consent) - See last page
for vote
SUBJECT : Hunting licenses
SOURCE : Author
DIGEST : This bill requires the Department of Fish and
Game (DFG) to issue a reduced fee hunting license to
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military personnel who are recovering service members, as
defined, and who provide documentation of eligibility, as
prescribed.
Assembly Amendments add coauthors and make other technical
changes.
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.
This bill requires DFG to issue a reduced fee hunting
license to military personnel who are recovering service
members, as defined, and who provide documentation of
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% 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).
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Wounded Warrior programs are efforts by the United States
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,
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 8/17/12)
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
Newport Beach Sunrise Rotary
Vietnam Veterans of America - California State Council
OPPOSITION : (Verified 8/17/12)
Department of Finance
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
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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 : The Department of Finance
states while the intent of this bill is meritorious, this
bill will result in a reduction in revenue to the Fish and
Game Preservation Fund which is structurally imbalanced by
approximately $17.7 million.
ASSEMBLY FLOOR : 79-0, 8/16/12
AYES: Achadjian, Alejo, Allen, Ammiano, Atkins, Beall,
Bill Berryhill, Block, Blumenfield, Bonilla, Bradford,
Brownley, Buchanan, Butler, Charles Calderon, Campos,
Carter, Cedillo, Chesbro, Conway, Cook, Davis, Dickinson,
Donnelly, Eng, Feuer, Fletcher, Fong, Fuentes, Furutani,
Beth Gaines, Galgiani, Garrick, Gatto, Gordon, Gorell,
Grove, Hagman, Halderman, Hall, Harkey, Hayashi, Roger
Hernández, Hill, Huber, Hueso, Huffman, Jeffries, Jones,
Knight, Logue, Bonnie Lowenthal, Ma, Mansoor, Mendoza,
Miller, Mitchell, Monning, Morrell, Nestande, Nielsen,
Norby, Olsen, Pan, Perea, V. Manuel Pérez, Portantino,
Silva, Skinner, Smyth, Solorio, Swanson, Torres, Valadao,
Wagner, Wieckowski, Williams, Yamada, John A. Pérez
NO VOTE RECORDED: Lara
CTW:RM:dn 8/17/12 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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