AB 633

Under current law, a resident of this state is eligible for an annual fishing

license at a reduced fee if the person applying for the license produces a certificate

from a licensed physician or optometrist stating that his or her sight is impaired to

the degree that he or she cannot read ordinary newspaper print with or without

corrective glasses, or produces evidence showing that he or she is receiving social

security or other federal disability benefits or that he or she is a veteran receiving

federal disability compensation for a non-service-related disability.

Under this bill, a certificate stating that an applicant's sight is impaired to the

degree that he or she cannot read ordinary newspaper print with or without

corrective glasses no longer qualifies a person to receive an annual fishing license at

a reduced fee. Instead, the bill allows a resident holder of a Class C permit to be

eligible for an annual fishing license at a reduced fee as long as the permit will not

expire before the end of the effective period of the annual fishing license. DNR must

issue a Class C permit to any applicant who is legally blind.

The bill also makes a resident holder of a Class A permit eligible for an annual

fishing license at a reduced fee as long as the permit will not expire before the end

of the effective period of the annual fishing license. DNR must issue a Class A permit

to an applicant who DNR determines has a permanent disability and is unable to

walk or move about without a wheelchair, walker, or certain other mobility aids, or

who is suffering significantly from lung disease or cardiovascular disease.

The bill also makes a resident holder of a Class B permit eligible for an annual

fishing license at a reduced fee as long as the permit is issued for more than one year

and will not expire before the end of the effective period of the annual fishing license.

DNR must issue a Class B permit to an applicant with a temporary disability that

restricts mobility or ambulation and who has either surgery or a cast on his or her

leg, hip, or back. DNR may issue a Class B permit to an applicant with a temporary

disability that restricts mobility or ambulation or to an applicant who is otherwise

ineligible for a Class A or Class B permit if the issuance of a Class B permit complies

with the intent of the statute that establishes these classes of permits for persons

with disabilities.

Finally, the bill makes a resident holder of a Class D permit eligible for an

annual fishing license at a reduced fee as long as the permit will not expire before

the end of the effective period of the annual fishing license. DNR must issue a Class

D permit to an applicant who has certain upper extremity impairments such as

amputation, prosthesis, or loss of function of one or both arms, hands, or shoulders.