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WI SB505
WI SB505Authorizing resident disabled veterans to hunt deer of either sex in any open firearm season. (FE)
summary
Introduced
10/02/2025
10/02/2025
In Committee
10/02/2025
10/02/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Under current law, the Department of Natural Resources issues approvals that authorize the hunting, fishing, and trapping of wild animals. Current law confers certain hunting and fishing benefits upon residents who are members of the U.S. armed forces who are in active service with the U.S. armed forces outside the state and on furlough or leave within the state. One benefit is that a qualified service member who holds a current resident deer hunting license may hunt deer of either sex during any season open to hunting of deer with firearms. This bill provides the same benefit to a resident disabled veteran, which is defined to mean a veteran who is receiving disability compensation benefits for disabilities that result in a disability rating that is 50 percent or greater or is receiving disability compensation benefits due to being individually unemployable. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
AI Summary
This bill modifies Wisconsin hunting regulations to extend a special deer hunting privilege currently available to active service members to disabled veterans. Specifically, the bill allows resident disabled veterans who hold a current deer hunting license to hunt deer of either sex during any firearms deer hunting season. A disabled veteran is defined as a resident who can prove veteran status and either: receives disability compensation benefits with a disability rating of 50% or higher, or receives disability compensation benefits due to being individually unemployable. This means disabled veterans with significant service-connected disabilities will now have more flexible hunting opportunities, similar to the benefits already provided to active military personnel on leave. The provision aims to provide additional recreational access and recognition to veterans who have been wounded or disabled during their military service, using specific federal disability and veterans' classification standards to determine eligibility.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance
Sponsors (10)
Dianne Hesselbein (D)*,
André Jacque (R)*,
Sarah Keyeski (D)*,
Melissa Ratcliff (D)*,
Jeff Smith (D)*,
Russell Goodwin (D),
Jeff Mursau (R),
Christine Sinicki (D),
Angela Stroud (D),
Shelia Stubbs (D),
Last Action
Read first time and referred to Committee on Financial Institutions and Sporting Heritage (on 10/02/2025)
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://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/sen/bill/sb505 |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/SB505.pdf |
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