BILL ANALYSIS �
SB 1287
Page 1
Date of Hearing: June 12, 2012
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON WATER, PARKS AND WILDLIFE
Jared Huffman, Chair
SB 1287 (Harman) - As Amended: April 26, 2012
SENATE VOTE : 33 - 0
SUBJECT : Sport Fishing Licenses - Recovering Service Members
SUMMARY : Allows a recovering service member of the military to
be eligible for a reduced fee sport fishing license.
Specifically, this bill : Adds recovering service members to
those eligible for a reduced fee fishing 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 that a fishing license, issued through the Department
of Fish and Game, be held by any person who is 16 years of age
or older when taking any fish, shell fish, reptile, or
amphibian in California.
2)Provides that a reduced fee annual sport fishing license may
be offered to:
a) Disabled veterans having a 50% or greater
service-connected disability with proof of honorable
discharge and proof of the disability.
b) California residents over the age of 65 who meet
described financial criteria.
3)Makes fishing licenses valid for the calendar year, or if
issued after the beginning of the year, the remainder thereof,
for a set fee.
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
SB 1287
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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
well-being, and 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. One Wounded Warrior program states that "Fishing
is a solace?the opposite of war?gentle and healing".
Several states currently offer reduced cost (Florida, Michigan,
Nevada, New Mexico, Virginia, Wisconsin) or free fishing
licenses (Colorado, Illinois, Texas, Vermont) for active duty
military personnel.
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 1287 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 1287
remedies this disparity and allows DFG to recognize both
veterans and wounded warriors equitably."
Suggested Amendments:
1)Per request of the author, add the following co-authors:
Senators Dutton, Fuller, Runner, Assemblymembers Harkey,
Garrick, Miller, Jefferies, Portantino, Mansoor
2)Due to concurrent pending legislation (AB 1786, Mansoor) that
alters the period of license issuance for full price annual
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fishing licenses from a calendar year to a period of 12
consecutive months, the committee recommends amending the
portion of this legislation that addresses the period of license
issuance to be on the same time frame as that for full price
licenses with the following:
Section 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 for one year as specified in section 7149 or 7149.05
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:
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
Military Order of the Purple Heart of the United States, 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