Kansas House committee backs bill to reinstate senior lifetime combo and youth hunting licenses

The Kansas House of Representatives’ Committee of the Whole voted to report House Bill 2028 favorably, a bill that would reinstate a senior lifetime combination hunting and fishing license, restore a discounted senior (65+) license, and remove the sunset on a youth license.

The measure, presented to the Committee of the Whole by Representative Coburn, would reinstate the senior lifetime combo license and remove a prior sunset on the youth license while keeping license fees “the same,” the sponsor said. "So we're reinstating that. We're taking the, sunset or extra off that license and also the youth license. None of the dollars for the licenses have changed," Coburn said.

Supporters said the change helps the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks capture federal funds tied to the number of licensed buyers. Representative Carlin told colleagues the senior discount’s return matters to the agency and that the youth license has generated revenue: "The children's license issue... it's brought in a couple million dollars over the time period," Carlin said.

Lawmakers questioned the fiscal effects. Representative Miller asked how the bill would not reduce fee revenues and federal funding; the sponsor replied there would be no reduction in the fee amounts and therefore no loss of revenue. Representative Roos asked whether removing the sunset meant the licenses would never require renewal; the sponsor said the reinstated licenses would function as before the sunset and noted the youth license sold about "6,200 of them in about 2 years." Representative Carlin said the senior discount is the primary benefit for the agency and praised reinstatement.

The Committee of the Whole reported HB 2028 favorably for passage. The committee report was later adopted by the full House committee process.