Senate Bill No. 243

(By Senator Yost)

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[Introduced January 8, 2014; referred to the Committee on Natural Resources; and then to the Committee on Finance.]

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A BILL to amend and reenact §20-2-42c of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to allowing members of the West Virginia National Guard or its reserve to obtain Class C hunting and fishing licenses for a one-time fee while serving in the West Virginia National Guard or its reserve and all veterans of the armed forces with an honorable discharge or full retirement to obtain license for life upon full retirement or honorable discharge.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That §20-2-42c of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended and reenacted to read as follows:

ARTICLE 2. WILDLIFE RESOURCES.

§20-2-42c. Class C courtesy statewide hunting and fishing license.

    (a) A Class C license is a courtesy hunting and fishing license and entitles the licensee to hunt and fish in all counties of this state. It may be issued by the director upon application made to him or her and without fee to:

    (1) Members and agents of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service;

    (2) Members of state commissions of other states extending similar courtesies;

    (3) Diplomatic and consular representatives of foreign countries;

    (4) Persons engaged in scientific wildlife research;

    (5) Nonresident outdoor writers and other nonresidents engaged in promoting an interest in the natural resources of the State of West Virginia.

    Not more than one hundred courtesy licenses shall may be issued in one year under this subsection. This is a base license and does not require the purchase of a prerequisite license to participate in the activities specified in this section, except as noted.

    (b) In addition to the licenses issued under subsection (a) of this section, upon application demonstrating a person is qualified under this subsection, the director shall issue a free Class C license to any current member of the West Virginia National Guard, its Reserve, honorably discharged veterans and military retirees for a one-time $100 fee for West Virginia residents and one-time $125 fee for out-of-state residents. The license is valid during the time the member serves in the National Guard or its Reserves, upon full retirement from the National Guard or Reserves, and upon honorable discharge or retirement from any branch of the Armed Forces including the United States Coast Guard. The member or veteran is entitled to a Class C license which is valid for the remainder of the member’s life. This does not include yearly tags and special hunting and fishing stamps. Honorable discharge (DD214 NGB22 Retirement orders), retired or membership status in the Armed Forces or the National Guard and its reserve shall be verified by the West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance and the verification shall be submitted with application and fee prior to issuance of license.

    NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to allow, while serving, members of the West Virginia National Guard and its reserve, and all veterans of the Armed Forces with an honorable discharge or full retirement to obtain a Class C hunting and fishing license for a one-time fee.

    Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from the present law, and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.