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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, Second Regular Session
REVISED
AMENDED
G&F; veterans;
hunting; fishing; licenses
(NOW: purple heart; hunting; licenses)
Purpose
Allows the Arizona Game and Fish Commission (Commission) to reduce the hunting license fees for specified veterans.
Background
The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is charged with establishing policies and programs for the management, preservation and harvest of Arizona's wildlife. The AZGFD issues licenses that regulate the amount of wildlife an individual can take and handle. Control of the AZGFD is vested in the Commission, which consists of five members who must be well informed on the subject of wildlife and requirements for wildlife conservation (A.R.S. § 17-201).
The Commission may reduce the fees of licenses for: 1) a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces who has been an Arizona resident for one year or more before applying for the license and who receives compensation from the U.S. government for a service-connected disability; and 2) an Arizona resident who is a member of the Boy Scouts of America who has attained the rank of Eagle Scout or a member of the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. who has received the Gold Award (A.R.S. § 17-333).
The Joint Legislative Budget Committee fiscal note estimates that the fiscal impact will depend on the cost of a regular license, how the Game and Fish Commission implements the authorized fee reductions and the number of veterans who utilize the discounts (JLBC fiscal note).
Provisions
1. Limits, to 25 percent of a full license fee, the reduction the AZGFD may make to the fee for a U.S. Armed Forces veteran who:
a) has been an Arizona resident for one year or more immediately before applying for the license; and
b) receives compensation from the U.S. government for a service-connected disability.
2. Allows the Commission to reduce up to 50 percent of posted license fees for a veteran who:
a) has been a resident of Arizona for one year or more immediately; and
b) submits satisfactory proof to AZGFD that the veteran is a bona fide Purple Heart medal recipient.
3. Makes technical and conforming changes.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Committee
· Adopted the strike-everything amendment.
Revisions
· Updates the fiscal impact statement.
Senate Action
NREW 1/26/22 W/D
APPROP 2/22/22 DPA/SE 10-0-0
Prepared by Senate Research
February 24, 2022
LMM/IJ/sr