|
|
|
|
State of
DEPARTMENT
OF NATURAL RESOURCES |
|
|
JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM governor |
REBECCA A. HUMPHRIES director |
|
|
|
|
State of
DEPARTMENT
OF NATURAL RESOURCES |
|
|
JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM governor |
REBECCA A. HUMPHRIES director |
|
BILL NUMBER: |
House
Bill 4563, AS INTRODUCED |
|
TOPIC: |
Require
waiver of state recreational and license fees for certain veterans |
|
SPONSOR: |
Representative Goeff Hansen |
|
CO-SPONSORS: |
None |
|
COMMITTEE: |
Tourism, Outdoor
Recreation and Natural Resources |
|
Analysis
Done: |
|
POSITION
The
Department of Natural Resources (Department) is opposed to this legislation.
PROBLEM/BACKGROUND
Currently,
disabled veterans entitled to receive benefits at the 100 percent rate, who are
not legally blind, may purchase hunting and fishing licenses at the discounted
senior rate (60 percent). They currently
do not receive a discount for entry to state parks or for camping in state
parks or state forests. Former prisoners
of war (POW) do not receive any type of discount, unless they qualify for the
disabled veteran discount.
DESCRIPTION OF BILL
House
Bill 4563 would amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act
(NREPA) to allow resident veterans who were permanently and totally disabled as
a result of military service and entitled to veterans’ benefits at the 100
percent rate, for a disability other than blindness, or a resident who has been
a POW, to obtain any hunting and fishing license under Part 435 of NREPA free
of charge. In addition, the Department
would be required to waive the fees for camping in state forests and state
parks and entry to state parks for these veterans.
Under
Section 43546 of NREPA, the Department would be reimbursed for each free hunting
or fishing license equivalent to the cost of a full price license through a
General Fund appropriation.
SUMMARY OF ARGUMENTS
Pro
Disabled
veterans and former POWs have paid a high price for serving their country and
should receive this small measure of compensation.
Con
Revenue
would be slightly decreased by allowing selected veterans reduced fees for
hunting and fishing, and free access to camping and state parks. Most of these activities are funded
exclusively with user fees and any decrease in revenue may result in less
services being provided.
The
Department is required to certify annually, to the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service, the number of hunting and fishing licenses sold that resulted
in net revenue greater than $1 to the Department. This number is used in determining the amount
of the federal apportionment awarded to the state under the Dingell-Johnson and
Pittman-Robertson programs. The free
licenses would not be included in the certified number, so the federal
apportionment would be reduced.
Discussions
with Veterans Administration officials reveal that the current number of
eligible
The
Department may demand proof of eligibility for these free licenses and permits,
but it is unclear how the Department would be able to determine the eligibility
for on-line purchases or for making camping reservations through the Central
Reservation System (CRS).
Camping
in state forests is based on the honor system with customers depositing their
correct fees in an unmanned receptacle.
Verification of eligibility would become an enforcement issue, along
with payment compliance of ineligible users.
This
bill provides General Fund reimbursement to the Department for the free hunting
and fishing licenses, as well as a continuation of reimbursement for the senior
license discount. In FY 2002, Executive Order
2001-9 removed the funding for this reimbursement from the Department’s budget. Since this funding has yet to be reinstated
in the Department’s budget, it is highly unlikely that reimbursement for the
free licenses would occur.
FISCAL/ECONOMIC
IMPACT
Are there revenue or
budgetary implications in the bill to the --
Budgetary:
There may be a cost to re-program the Retail Sales
System (RSS) and
Revenue:
A slight negative revenue impact would occur to the
extent that qualifying disabled veterans or former POWs that currently purchase
hunting and fishing licenses, state park motor vehicle permits, or camp in
state parks or state forests at full price, choose to take advantage of this
benefit. Current full price hunting and
fishing fees are $15 in most cases or $6 at the senior rate. State park motor vehicle permits for residents
are $24 for an annual permit and $6 for a daily permit. Seniors may purchase an annual permit for $6. Camping fees range from approximately $10 to
$33 per night.
Also, federal revenue would be lost. In order for the state to receive federal Pittman-Robertson
and Dingell-Johnson funding, net revenue of at least $1 must be received for
each hunting and fishing license. Based
on FY 2008-09 reimbursement rates, the state would not be eligible to receive
$14.42 per hunting license and $11.38 per fishing license for these free
licenses.
Comments:
None
Budgetary:
None
Revenue:
This bill would reduce revenue to self-supporting
state agency programs.
Comments:
None
Comments:
None
OTHER STATE DEPARTMENTS
Military
and Veterans Affairs may have an interest in the bill.
ANY OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION
None
ADMINISTRATIVE
RULES IMPACT
Rules can be
promulgated to provide for administration of the act.
_______________________________
Rebecca A. Humphries
Director
_______________________________
Date
BSS/WLD/
