SB557: Bill Text

LRB-4758/1

ZDW:jld

2017 - 2018 LEGISLATURE

2017 Senate BILL 557

November 20, 2017 - Introduced by Senators Moulton, Miller, Bewley, Carpenter, Erpenbach, Hansen, Johnson, Larson, Marklein, Testin, Vinehout, L. Taylor and Olsen, cosponsored by Representatives Milroy, Kleefisch, Allen, Anderson, Berceau, Bernier, Bowen, Considine, Crowley, Fields, Genrich, Hebl, Hesselbein, Hintz, Kremer, Krug, Meyers, Mursau, Ott, Pope, Ripp, Shankland, Sinicki, Spiros, Spreitzer, Thiesfeldt, Tittl, Tranel, Tusler, Vruwink, Wachs, Zamarripa, Zepnick and Kitchens. Referred to Committee on Sporting Heritage, Mining and Forestry.

SB557,1,3 An Act to create 20.370 (1) (hz) and 29.568 of the statutes; relating to: voluntary contributions to pay for hunting and fishing approvals for disabled veterans and making an appropriation.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This bill provides that any person may make a voluntary contribution to the Department of Natural Resources to be used to cover any portion of the costs of a hunting or fishing approval issued to a disabled veteran who is a resident of this state. The bill requires that, if DNR has received voluntary contributions for the purpose, DNR shall waive or reduce to the maximum extent possible the fee for any hunting or fishing approval issued to a disabled veteran.

Under current law, DNR issues various licenses, permits, and other approvals authorizing hunting and fishing and disabled veterans are issued certain approvals for a reduced fee. For this purpose, current law defines “disabled veteran” 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 who 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.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

SB557,1 Section 1. 20.370 (1) (hz) of the statutes is created to read:

SB557,2,5 20.370 (1) (hz) Approvals for disabled veterans; voluntary contributions. All moneys received from approvals for disabled veterans voluntary contributions under s. 29.568 (1) to be used to cover the cost of hunting and fishing approvals for disabled veterans.

SB557,2 Section 2. 29.568 of the statutes is created to read:

SB557,2,10 29.568 Voluntary contributions; approvals for disabled veterans. (1) Any person may make a voluntary contribution to be used to cover any portion of the costs of a hunting or fishing approval issued to any resident who is a disabled veteran.

SB557,2,18 (2) If the department has received voluntary contributions under sub. (1), the department shall waive or reduce to the maximum extent possible the fee for any hunting or fishing approval issued to a resident who produces evidence that shows that he or she is a veteran, as defined in 38 USC 101, and is receiving disability compensation benefits under 38 USC 1101 to 1163 for disabilities that result in a disability rating that is 50 percent or greater under 38 USC 1114 or 1134, or is receiving disability compensation benefits due to being individually unemployable under 38 CFR 4.16 as authorized under 38 USC 501.

SB557,2,19 (End)