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State of
DEPARTMENT
OF NATURAL RESOURCES |
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JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM governor |
REBECCA A. HUMPHRIES director |
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State of
DEPARTMENT
OF NATURAL RESOURCES |
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JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM governor |
REBECCA A. HUMPHRIES director |
POSITION
The Department of Natural Resources (Department) is
opposed to House Bill 4203.
PROBLEM/BACKGROUND
Currently, disabled
veterans entitled to receive benefits at the 100 percent rate, who are not
legally blind, may purchase hunting and fishing licenses at the discounted
senior rate of 60 percent. They do not
currently receive a discount for entry to state parks or for camping in state
forests or state parks. Former prisoners
of war (POW) do not receive any type of discount, unless they qualify for the
disabled veteran discount.
DESCRIPTION OF BILL
The bill would amend
the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA) to allow resident
veterans who were permanently and totally disabled as a result of military
service and entitled to veterans' benefits at the 100 percent rate, for a
disability other than blindness, or a resident who has been a POW, to obtain
any hunting and fishing license under Part 435 of NREPA for $1. In addition, the Department would be required
to waive the fees for entry to and camping in state parks and for state forest
camping for these veterans.
SUMMARY OF ARGUMENTS
Pro
Disabled
veterans and former POWs have paid a high price for serving their country and should
receive this small measure of compensation.
Con
Revenue
would be slightly decreased by allowing selected veterans reduced fees for
hunting and fishing, and free access to camping and state parks. Most of these activities are funded
exclusively with user fees and any decrease in revenue may result in less
services being provided.
The
Department is required to certify annually, to the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service, the number of hunting and fishing licenses sold that resulted
in net revenue greater than $1 to the Department. This number is used in determining the amount
of the federal apportionment awarded to the state under the Dingell Johnson –
Pittman Robertson programs. The $1
licenses would not be included in that number, so the federal apportionment
would be reduced.
The
Department may demand proof of eligibility for these reduced and free licenses
and permits, but is unclear how the Department would be able to determine
eligibility for on-line purchases or for making camping reservations through
the Central Reservation System (CRS).
Camping
in the state forests is based on the honor system with customers depositing the
correct fees in an unmanned receptacle.
Verification of eligibility would become an enforcement issue, along
with payment compliance of ineligible users.
FISCAL/ECONOMIC
IMPACT
Are there revenue or
budgetary implications in the bill to the --
Budgetary:
There may be a cost to re-program the Retail Sales
System (RSS) and
Revenue:
A slight revenue impact would occur to the extent that
qualifying disabled veterans or former POWs of war currently purchase hunting
and fishing licenses, parks motor vehicle permits, or camp in state parks or state
forests and pay for the privilege of participating in those activities. Current full price hunting and fishing fees
are $15 in most cases, and $6 at the senior citizen’s rate which these veterans
would be eligible to pay.
Parks motor vehicle permits are $24 for an annual
pass, $6 for a daily pass, and camping fees primarily range from $10 to $33 per
night. The extent of the revenue impact
is unknown since the number of people who would qualify for and take advantage
of this benefit is unknown.
Comments:
None
Budgetary:
None
Revenue:
None
Comments:
None
Comments:
None
OTHER STATE DEPARTMENTS
None
ANY OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION
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None |
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ADMINISTRATIVE
RULES IMPACT
Rules can be
promulgated to provide for administration of the act.
_______________________________
Rebecca A. Humphries
Director
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Date
BSS
