Minn. House committee lays over bill to cut senior fishing-license fee by $10

Representative Jim Nash introduced House File 276 to a Minnesota House committee, asking the panel to lay the measure over for possible inclusion in a future omnibus bill. The proposal would reduce the cost of a fishing license for Minnesotans aged 65 and older by $10.

The measure drew brief testimony from Pat Rivers, deputy director of the Fish and Wildlife Division, who told the committee that House File 276 “does not impact the sport fish restoration dollars that would come to Minnesota” and that the bill includes reimbursement from the general fund. Rivers said angling supports Minnesota’s economy through related spending on fuel, lodging and supplies.

Nash told the committee the reduction was intended as modest relief for longtime anglers, saying the bill “would simply reduce it by a meager $10” and noting the change would target people once they reach age 65. Nash also described the bill as having “a fiscal component” and said he welcomed questions as the measure moves forward.

A committee member identified in the transcript as Lead Fisher praised the discussion as a way to help older residents remain engaged in fishing, saying, “I think it's something that we wanna make it easier for our elderly population to be able to stay engaged in the sports going forward.” The chair noted the committee packet contained letters of support from the Congressional Sportsman Foundation and Conservation Minnesota.

At the end of the exchange, the committee chair moved to lay House File 276 over for possible inclusion in a future bill; the motion was renewed and the bill was laid over.

The committee did not vote to advance or defeat the bill; the formal action recorded in the hearing transcript was to lay the bill over for possible future inclusion.