AB 986: Hunting and sport fishing licenses: sport fishing license duration: reduction in license fees for veterans.

Existing law requires every person 16 years of age or older who takes any fish, reptile, or amphibian for any purpose other than profit to first obtain a sport fishing license for that purpose, with specified exceptions, and to have that license on his or her person or in his or her immediate possession when engaged in carrying out any activity authorized by the license. Existing law requires a resident or a nonresident, 16 years of age or older, upon payment of a specified fee, to be issued a sport fishing license for the period of a calendar year, or, if issued after the beginning of the year, for the remainder thereof. Existing law also requires the issuance of shorter term licenses upon payment of a specified lesser fee. Existing law requires the Fish and Game Commission to adjust the amount of the fees, as prescribed, to fully recover, but not exceed, all reasonable administrative and implementation costs of the Department of Fish and Wildlife and the commission relating to those licenses.

This bill, in addition to sport fishing licenses for the periods specified above, would require a sport fishing license to be issued to a resident or nonresident for the period of 12 consecutive months, upon payment of a fee that is equal to 130% of the fees for issuance of resident or nonresident calendar-year licenses, as applicable. The bill would require the commission to adjust the amount of the fees as necessary to fully recover, but not exceed, all reasonable administrative and implementation and administrative costs of the department and the commission relating to these licenses, including all costs related to their establishment. establishment and enforcement. The bill would require the department to submit to the Legislature a written report on the implementation of these provisions, as provided. The bill would make these provisions operative beginning January 1, 2020, until January 1, 2023.

Under existing law, a hunting license grants the privilege to take birds and mammals. Existing law requires the department to issue a hunting license for specified periods of time, including for a term of one year, as provided, upon payment of a fee, to eligible residents and nonresidents. Existing law requires the department to issue a sport fishing license for specified periods of time, including for the period of a calendar year, as provided, upon payment of a fee, to eligible residents and nonresidents. Existing law requires the department to issue lifetime hunting licenses and lifetime sport fishing licenses, and grants certain lifetime privileges to holders of those licenses, upon the one-time payment of specified fees.

This bill would require the department to reduce the fee required to obtain the above-described licenses and the 12 consecutive month licenses created by this bill by 25% for a person who is a veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States, was honorably discharged, and is a resident of California.

Under existing law, the department issues, upon payment of specified fees, various types of sport fishing report cards and validations that are required, in addition to a sport fishing license, to engage in various activities relating to the taking and possession of amphibians, reptiles, and fish for purposes other than profit.

This bill would require the department to reduce the fee required to obtain a sport fishing report card, validation, or other entitlement by 25% for a person who is a veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States, was honorably discharged, and is a resident of California and by 50% for a person who meets those requirements and who also has a 50% or greater service-connected disability.