A resident lifetime fishing license. (FE)

What it would have done

Summary by the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.

Under current law, with certain exceptions including an exception for residents under the age of 16, no person may fish in this state unless the person has a valid approval that authorizes fishing. The Department of Natural Resources issues various fishing licenses, such as resident annual fishing licenses, one-day fishing licenses, and two-day sports fishing licenses. This bill requires DNR also to issue lifetime fishing licenses to residents. Under the bill, a resident lifetime fishing license confers the privilege of an annual fishing license. The holder of a resident lifetime fishing license must still be issued a fishing stamp if the type of fishing in which he or she will be engaged requires such a stamp. The bill establishes the fee for a resident lifetime fishing license at 30 times the fee for a resident annual fishing license, which under current law is $19.25 plus a 75 cent issuing fee. Thus, at the current rate, a resident lifetime fishing license fee under the bill is $577.50, plus a 75 cent issuing fee. The bill provides that the fee for a resident lifetime fishing license issued to a resident age 62 or older is reduced to five times the annual fishing license fee, which under the current rate is $96.25, plus a 75 cent issuing fee.

Who's behind it

Janis Ringhand, a Democrat, is its author⁠.

7 more lawmakers signed on in support⁠.

What it would cost

State agencies filed a cost estimate. Each opens as a PDF from the Legislature.

• Fiscal Estimate From DNR