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Bill creating discounted multi‑year hunting and fishing permits for veterans wins Game and Parks support
Summary
LB1226 would create discounted multi‑year hunting and fishing permits for Nebraska veterans with VA disability ratings of 10% or higher (3 years for $90; 5 years for $135). The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission supports the policy but flagged near‑term fiscal impacts offset over time by federal reimbursement tied to certified hunter counts.
Katie Keane, legislative assistant to Sen. Anderson, presented LB1226 to the Natural Resources Committee as a targeted incentive to encourage veterans to remain in Nebraska by lowering the cost barrier to hunting and fishing permits.
"LB1226 seeks to remedy this by introducing a 3‑year special combination fishing, hunting, and more permit for $90 or the same permit for 5 years at $135," Keane said, describing the measure as a modest, symbolic benefit for honorably discharged veterans who do not meet the current 50% disability threshold for free lifetime permits.
Timothy McCoy, director of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, said the agency worked with sponsors and supports the bill as written. McCoy noted the commission already provides a free lifetime permit to veterans with a 50% or greater VA disability rating and said the proposed discounted permit is intended to widen access without eliminating existing benefits. "We're pleased to support this bill to help honor our disabled veterans," he said.
Committee members focused on the fiscal note and timing. McCoy acknowledged the bill would reduce fee revenue in early years but said some of that loss is expected to be offset over time by federal wildlife and sport fish restoration funds that reimburse states based on certified hunter and angler counts — a reimbursement that arrives with a lag of about two years. He said the agency cannot precisely predict the federal offset because it depends on how many purchasers are new versus existing permit buyers.
Proponents in the hearing urged support, calling the measure a small but meaningful recognition for veterans. The hearing record showed one online proponent and no online opponents or neutral comments.
The committee closed the public hearing on LB1226 with no immediate action. If advanced, committee deliberations will likely focus on fiscal language and clarifying the eligibility and counting rules tied to federal grants.
