BILL NUMBER: SB 1287	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 26, 2012
	AMENDED IN SENATE  MARCH 26, 2012

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Harman
   (Coauthors: Senators Berryhill, Cannella, and Correa)
   (Coauthor: Assembly Member Cook)

                        FEBRUARY 23, 2012

   An act to amend Section 7150 of the Fish and Game Code, relating
to fish.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 1287, as amended, Harman. Sport fishing licenses. 
   Existing law generally requires 
    Under existing law,  a sport fishing license 
for the taking of a fish, reptile, or amphibian   grants
the privilege to take fish, reptiles, and amphibia  . Existing
law requires the Department of Fish and Game to issue a  sport
fishing  license, upon payment of a fee, to eligible California
residents and nonresidents, as specified. Existing law requires the
department to issue a reduced fee  sport fishing  license,
as specified, to a disabled veteran, as defined.
   This bill would also require the department to issue a reduced fee
 sport fis   hing  license to active military
personnel who are recovering service members, as defined, and who
demonstrate eligibility, as prescribed.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 7150 of the Fish and Game Code is amended to
read:
   7150.  (a) Upon application to the department's headquarters
office in Sacramento and payment of a base fee of four dollars ($4),
as adjusted pursuant to Section 713, the following persons, who have
not been convicted of any violation of this code, shall be issued a
reduced fee sport fishing license that is valid for the calendar year
of issue, or, if issued after the beginning of the year, for the
remainder thereof and that authorizes the licensee to take any fish,
reptile, or amphibians anywhere in this state as otherwise authorized
pursuant to this code and regulations adopted pursuant thereto for
purposes other than profit:
   (1) A disabled veteran having a 50 percent or greater
service-connected disability upon presentation of proof of an
honorable discharge from military service and proof of the
disability. Proof of the disability shall be by certification from
the United States Veterans Administration or by presentation of a
license issued pursuant to this paragraph in the preceding license
year.
   (2) A member of the military who is a "recovering service member"
pursuant to Section 1602(7) of the  federal  National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (Public Law 110-181).
A person shall be eligible for a reduced fee sport fishing license
pursuant to this paragraph upon the submission of a letter, online or
in hardcopy, to the department from that person's commanding officer
 and   or  from a military medical doctor
stating that the person is a recovering service member.
   (3) A person over 65 years of age who is a resident of this state
and whose total monthly income from all sources, including any old
age assistance payments, does not exceed the amount in effect on
September 1 of each year contained in subdivision (c) of Section
12200 of the Welfare and Institutions Code for single persons or
subdivision (d) of Section 12200 of the Welfare and Institutions Code
combined income for married persons, as adjusted pursuant to that
section. The amount in effect on September 1 of each year shall be
the amount used to determine eligibility for a reduced fee license
during the following calendar year.
   (b) A person applying for a reduced fee sport fishing license
shall submit adequate documentation for the department to determine
whether the applicant is, in fact, eligible for a reduced fee sport
fishing license. The documentation shall be in the form of a letter
or other document, as specified by the department, from a public
agency, except as provided in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision
(a). The department shall not issue a reduced fee sport fishing
license to any person unless it is satisfied that the applicant has
provided adequate documentation of eligibility for that license.
   (c) The adjustment of the base fee pursuant to Section 713
specified in subdivision (a) shall be applicable to the fishing
license years beginning on or after January 1, 1996.