AB 1076

Under current law, the Department of Natural Resources issues permits for the hunting of sharp-tailed grouse. If the number of persons seeking the permits exceeds the number of available permits, DNR must issue the permits according to a cumulative preference system, under which DNR prioritizes issuance of permits to applicants with more preference points.

Under the current cumulative preference system, for each hunting season, DNR must give a preference point to each applicant who applies for a permit but who is not selected. An applicant who fails to apply for a permit at least once during any three consecutive years loses all previously accumulated preference points. The bill eliminates the cumulative preference system, five years after the bill is enacted, and replaces it with a lottery to determine who will be issued permits.

Under current law, the processing fee for a sharp-tailed grouse hunting permit is $2.75. This bill increases the fee to $9.75 and credits $7 of the fee to an appropriation to be used for administering sharp-tailed grouse hunting permits and for sharp-tailed grouse management and research activities.