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Veterans could get free hunting, fishing licenses under proposal
TIFFANY L. PARKS
Special to the Legal News
Published: August 1, 2013
An Akron lawmaker has introduced a bill into the legislature that would allow Ohio residents who are honorably discharged veterans to receive free hunting and fishing licenses.
The proposal, House Bill 47, is sponsored by Rep. Zack Milkovich, a Democrat.
“Under current law, honorably discharged veterans who are deemed eligible by the veteran’s administration, former prisoners of war and active duty military are exempt from the fees associated with obtaining such a license,” he said.
In order to be deemed eligible by the veteran’s administration for a free license, honorably discharged veterans must have a disability that has been determined to be permanently and totally disabling and they must receive a pension or compensation from the VA or have a set of disabled veterans license plates issued by the registrar of Motor Vehicles.
“HB 47 will extend this benefit to all honorably discharged veterans residing in Ohio,” Milkovich said.
The bill’s provisions would apply to fishing licenses, hunting licenses, fur taker permits, deer and wild turkey permits and wetlands habitat stamps.
“Ohio owes a great debt to its veterans and providing this benefit is one way our state can show its gratitude for their service,” Milkovich said.
According to a fiscal analysis of the proposed legislation, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources would likely lose in excess of $3.5 million in annual license and permit fee revenue if HB 47 were enacted.
The loss would mainly impact the state’s Wildlife Fund, which receives most income to the state from hunting, fishing and trapping license and permit fees.
The bill also would put a dent in the Wetlands Habitat Fund, which receives revenue from the sale of wetlands habitat stamps.
The analysis stated the DNR could also receive less federal funding under two federal grant programs if it provides free licenses to hunters and anglers who are veterans.
“Depending on the number of licenses issued and the federal formulas, the total loss in federal aid ... could be between approximately $850,000 and $1.0 million,” the analysis read.
Preliminary figures provided by DNR for license year 2012, which ran from March 1, 2012 through Feb. 28, 2013, have indicated that the wildlife division sold approximately 1.85 million of the licenses and permits most commonly purchased by Ohioans such as fishing licenses, hunting licenses and deer permits.
With regard to the financial implications of enacting HB 47, Milkovich said he is “fully aware that this endeavor will need financed.”
“I believe our veterans are deserving of this and I am open to suggestions from my colleagues in providing such an earmark,” he said. “I am aware that the division of wildlife is expected to bring in a record $11.3 million due to the increase of gun and ammunition sales in the state. Perhaps, this is an area we can consider as a funding source for this project.”
HB 47 is co-sponsored by Rep. Fred Strahorn, D-Columbus.
The bill has not been scheduled for additional hearings.
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