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Committee advances bill to offer reduced combined hunting and fishing license for Louisiana veterans
Summary
Senate Bill 69 would allow honorably discharged Louisiana veterans who establish residency to buy an annual comprehensive hunting and fishing license for $20; the committee reported the bill favorably after testimony about fiscal assumptions and outreach plans.
Senate Bill 69, carried in committee by Senator Myers, would make a reduced-cost comprehensive hunting and fishing license — priced at $20 annually — available to honorably discharged veterans who establish residency in Louisiana. The House Natural Resources Committee reported the bill favorable on May 21.
Senator Myers told the committee the change would both honor veterans and support the administration’s recruiting initiative known as “the boot,” aimed at drawing veterans and military families to the state. “This serves as a clear and meaningful way for our state to honor those who have worn the uniform,” Myers said, and called the measure a strategic recruitment tool.
Brian McClintock, undersecretary with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, and General Counsel Cole Garrett spoke for the department. McClintock said the department supported the bill. On the fiscal note, department staff described the estimate as a “worst case scenario” because current license records do not track which purchasers are honorably discharged veterans. “We do not keep records of how many of our license holders right now are honorably discharged,” McClintock said. The department said it can track purchases under a new license privilege going forward and will report back on fiscal impacts.
Representative Mack moved to report the bill favorably and multiple committee members expressed support. Representative McCormick asked for a follow-up report in years 1–3; the department agreed to provide monitoring information on revenue and participation.
Testimony said the program is resident-only (six months residency required) and the license would be annual rather than lifetime. The department also said existing conservation and special funds and federal offsets could mitigate fiscal impacts for certain categories of veterans. The committee reported SB 69 favorable without recorded opposition and the bill will move to appropriations for further consideration.
