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Bill > HF21
IA HF21
IA HF21A bill for an act relating to fishing privileges of disabled veterans, and making penalties applicable.(See HF 387.)
summary
Introduced
01/14/2025
01/14/2025
In Committee
01/14/2025
01/14/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
91st General Assembly
Bill Summary
This bill relates to fishing privileges for disabled veterans. Under current law, a resident who served in the armed forces of the United States on federal active duty and who was disabled during that veteran’s military service is eligible to obtain a lifetime fishing license or lifetime hunting and fishing combined license. Under the bill, any person, regardless of whether the person is a resident, who is a disabled veteran may fish without acquiring a fishing license if the person’s disability occurred during the veteran’s military service. A person fishing in such manner shall, upon request of a peace officer, display proof of the person’s veteran status and disability status. A person who fails to provide the necessary documentation is guilty of a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation with a fine of $35. A person charged with failing to produce the necessary documentation may avoid conviction if the person produces in court, within a reasonable time, proof of the person’s veteran and disability status. The bill also makes a conforming change to the Code section concerning nonresident paddlefish fishing licenses and tags.
AI Summary
This bill modifies fishing license regulations for disabled veterans, expanding their fishing privileges beyond current state residency requirements. Under the proposed changes, any disabled veteran who served on federal active duty, regardless of their state of residence, may fish without purchasing a fishing license if their disability occurred during military service. To qualify, the veteran must be verified by the department of veterans affairs as having a service-connected disability rating under federal guidelines (38 U.S.C. ch. 11). When fishing, these veterans must carry and be prepared to show proof of their veteran and disability status to a peace officer if requested. If a veteran fails to provide documentation when asked, they may be subject to a simple misdemeanor with a $35 fine, but can avoid conviction by producing the required documentation in court within a reasonable time. The bill also makes a technical adjustment to the nonresident paddlefish fishing license regulations to accommodate this new provision. Additionally, the bill removes references to a standalone lifetime fishing license, consolidating veteran fishing privileges under a lifetime hunting and fishing combined license.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Withdrawn. H.J. 1219. (on 05/14/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=HF21 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/HF21.html |
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