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Bill would let more veterans qualify for reduced general game-and-habitat license; committee notes fee conflict with separate bill
Summary
Representative Johnstone presented House Bill 1147 to extend $3 general game-and-habitat license eligibility to veterans with service-connected disability rated at 50% or greater. Game and Fish staff stood neutral; committee members asked how the change interacts with a separate fee bill that would set the fee at $10.
Representative Johnstone introduced House Bill 1147 to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, saying the measure would allow veterans with a service-connected disability of 50% or more to purchase the stategeneral game and habitat combination license at the reduced rate currently available to some disabled veterans.
Scott Peterson, deputy director of the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, told the committee the department stands neither in support nor opposition but would answer questions. Committee members noted language changes on motorboats that appear to be housekeeping and asked about a drafting conflict with House Bill 1470, a separate proposal that would increase multiple Game and Fish fees.
Committee discussion clarified that House Bill 1147, as drafted, identifies a $3 fee for the reduced license and includes language that the 50% disability determination would be made by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Committee members noted that House Bill 1470 proposes a $10 fee in a separate, broader package of fee changes; staff said they would coordinate with the two bill sponsors and Game and Fish to reconcile the amount and draft any necessary amendment.
No committee vote was taken on House Bill 1147 at the hearing. Committee members asked sponsors and agency staff to work together and bring recommended amendments back to committee if needed.
Ending: The committee closed the hearing and directed sponsors and Game and Fish to reconcile the fee language and disability threshold language with the wider fee bill (House Bill 1470); no further action was taken at the hearing.
