SB 46

Current Alabama law provides for a discounted three-day group hunting license for military veterans, both residents and non-residents, who are 50 percent or more disabled

This bill would extend that discounted group rate to all totally and permanently disabled persons, while continuing to keep that rate available to military veterans who are 50 percent or more physically disabled. This bill would also change the name of that discounted license to the "Physically Disabled Sportsman's special three-day event license." This bill would preserve the existing discounted annual license for physically disabled resident veterans

To amend Section 9-11-49, Code of Alabama 1975, relating to the Physically Disabled Military Veteran's Appreciation three-day trip event license; to extend that discounted group rate to all totally and permanently physically disabled persons, veteran and non-veteran; to rename that event license the "Physically Disabled Sportsman's special three-day event license;" and to amend Section 9-11-54, Code of Alabama 1975, to make conforming changes.

Section 1

Sections 9-11-49 and 9-11-54 of the Code of Alabama 1975 are amended to read as follows:

§9-11-49.

Any nonresident of this state who is 16 years or older shall, in lieu of the all game license provided for in Section 9-11-47, procure one of the following "trip all game" hunting licenses to hunt all legal game in this state, the procurement of which shall be in the same manner as provided for procuring the nonresident annual hunting licenses provided for in Sections 9-11-46 and 9-11-47, by paying the license fees herein specified, which licenses will authorize the holder of the license to hunt in this state for a period of days specified on the license from the day the license was issued:

(1) A "nonresident all game 10-day trip hunting license," the cost of which shall be one hundred sixty-eight dollars ($168), plus a two dollar ($2) issuance fee, which fees shall be subject to adjustment as provided for in Section 9-11-68. This license shall be valid for those legal hunting hours occurring during the then current license year for a period not to exceed 240 consecutive hours from the beginning date and time, as selected and designated by the licensee to the issuing agent at the time of issuance.

(2) A "nonresident all game 3-day trip hunting license," the cost of which shall be one hundred eighteen dollars ($118), plus a two dollar ($2) issuance fee, which fees shall be subject to adjustment as provided for in Section 9-11-68. This license shall be valid for those legal hunting hours occurring during the then current license year for a period not to exceed 72 consecutive hours from the beginning date and time, as selected and designated by the licensee to the issuing agent at the time of issuance.

(3) In addition, effective with the license year beginning September 1, 2013 2019, there shall be a Physically Disabled Military Veteran's Appreciation Sportsman's special three-day trip event license, for events sanctioned by the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources, that shall permit up to 10 U.S. military veterans disabled persons, resident or non-resident, which names shall be designated on the license, otherwise meeting the requirements of this section who are totally and permanently disabled and receiving disability retirement from a public or private entity or a disability benefit from the federal Social Security Administration, the United States Railroad Retirement, the United States Office of Personnel Management, the Retirement Systems of Alabama, or a unit of federal, state, or local government designated by rule of the department, or who may show by physician certification that they are totally and permanently disabled to a degree that would make them eligible to receive those benefits, or who are certified by the U.S. Veterans' Administration as 50 percent or more physically disabled, to purchase the license as an alternative to the trip hunting license for a fee equal to the nonresident all game three-day hunting license, plus the applicable issuance fee. This license shall also permit up to 10 non-hunter assistants, resident or non-resident, to attend the event for the sole purpose of aiding the physically disabled hunters. The application shall have attached evidence of the receipt of disability benefits, or other medical certification of disability, as may be required by rule. The duration of this license shall be the same as that of the nonresident all game three-day hunting license.

(3) (4) There shall be provided on the license form for the licenses provided for in this section a check-off option whereby the licensee may voluntarily choose to donate an additional one dollar ($1) to the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries for the purpose of research on wildlife and wildlife habitat as approved by the Advisory Board of Conservation and Natural Resources."

§9-11-54.

(a) Any person who is totally and permanently disabled and receiving disability retirement from a public or private entity or a disability benefit from the federal Social Security Administration, the United States Railroad Retirement, the United States Office of Personnel Management, the Retirement Systems of Alabama, or a unit of federal, state, or local government designated by rule of the department and who has been a bona fide resident of this state for not less than 90 days next preceding the date of application may, upon the payment of an annual license fee as provided in subsection (b), plus an issuance fee of one dollar ($1), procure a special fishing or hunting license in the following manner: The applicant shall file with the person, in the county in which he or she resides, who is duly authorized to issue licenses, an application, stating his or her age, place of residence, post office address, and length of residence in this state. The application shall have attached evidence of the receipt of disability benefits as may be required by rule.

(b) For purposes of this section, annual license fees shall be as follows:

(1) Hunting license: five dollars ($5).

(2) Freshwater fishing license: two dollars ($2).

(3) Saltwater fishing license: two dollars ($2).

(c) The annual license and issuance fees provided in this section shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Section 9-11-68.

(d) The license application process, including, but not limited to, providing proof of residency and disability status, may be established by rule.

(e)(1)a. A fishing license issued pursuant to this section shall be in lieu of the annual resident fishing license in Section 9-11-53.

b. A hunting license issued pursuant to this section shall be in lieu of the annual resident hunting license in Section 9-11-44, except for the disabled military veterans persons hunting license provided in that section.

c. A saltwater fishing license issued pursuant to this section shall be in lieu of the annual resident saltwater fishing license in Section 9-11-53.1.

(2) This section does not supersede any additional license or requirement to hunt on state-operated wildlife management areas, as provided in Section 9-11-45 or to hunt migratory waterfowl, as provided in Section 9-11-433.

(3) An annual resident hunting or freshwater fishing license for a person with a disability shall entitle the license holder to all of the privileges of the wildlife heritage license.

(f) The issuing officer or authority shall be allowed an issuance fee of one dollar ($1) for each license issued. In counties in which the probate judge or issuing officer is on a fee system, the issuing fee shall be retained by the probate judge or issuing officer, and in a county in which the probate judge or issuing officer is on a salary basis, the issuing fee shall be paid into the county treasury. These licenses shall not be issued by special agents."

Section 2

This act shall become effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.