AB131: Bill Text

LRB-1138/3

MGG:kjf:nwn

2007 - 2008 LEGISLATURE

2007 Assembly BILL 131

March 5, 2007 - Introduced by Representatives Nerison, Gunderson, J. Ott, Hraychuck, Bies, M. Williams, Mursau, Gundrum, Petrowski, Albers, Friske, Gronemus, Hahn, Jeskewitz, Kerkman, Meyer, Musser, A. Ott, Pridemore, Sheridan, Suder, Townsend and Vos, cosponsored by Senators Decker, Miller, Wirch, Kedzie, Schultz, Plale, Leibham, Grothman, Roessler, Breske, Darling, Erpenbach, Lassa and Sullivan. Referred to Committee on Natural Resources.

AB131,1,3 An Act to create 29.164 (3m), 29.177 (7) and 29.192 (4c) of the statutes; relating to: issuance of certain hunting approvals to certain members of the U.S. armed forces.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current law, certain hunting licenses and permits (hunting approvals) are issued by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) based on a random or preference selection system. These hunting approvals include Canada goose hunting permits, Class A bear hunting licenses, wild turkey hunting licenses, elk hunting licenses, and special deer hunting permits, other than bonus deer hunting permits.

This bill allows DNR to issue wild turkey hunting licenses, Canada goose hunting permits, and hunter's choice and other special deer hunting permits to residents of the state who are in active service in the U.S. armed forces outside the state but who are on furlough or leave within the state. The bill prohibits DNR from imposing any deadlines or other restrictions on the timing for submitting applications for these hunting approvals or for issuing the approvals. If one of these hunting approvals is issued during the applicable hunting season, the approval must authorize hunting beginning on the date on which the approval is issued.

For further information see the state and local 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:

AB131, s. 1 Section 1. 29.164 (3m) of the statutes is created to read:

AB131,2,6 29.164 (3m) Wild turkey hunting licenses issued to members of armed forces. (a) Notwithstanding sub. (3), the department may issue wild turkey hunting licenses and tags without requiring that the licenses and tags be issued pursuant to the cumulative preference system under sub. (3) to members of the U.S. armed forces who are all of the following:

AB131,2,7 1. Residents.

AB131,2,8 2. In active service with the U.S. armed forces outside this state.

AB131,2,9 3. On furlough or leave within the state.

AB131,2,13 (b) The department may not impose any deadline or other restriction on the timing for applications or issuing licenses or tags under this subsection. If a license and tag under this subsection are issued during the applicable hunting season, the license and tag shall authorize hunting beginning on the date of issuance.

AB131,2,17 (c) An applicant for a wild turkey hunting license under this subsection shall be eligible for the same number of wild turkey hunting tags for each applicable season time period as an applicant who is issued tags under the cumulative preference system under sub. (3).

AB131, s. 2 Section 2. 29.177 (7) of the statutes is created to read:

AB131,3,2 29.177 (7) Exemption from cumulative preference system. (a) Notwithstanding sub. (4), the department may issue special deer hunting permits without requiring that the permits be issued pursuant to the cumulative preference system under sub. (4) to members of the U.S. armed forces who are all of the following:

AB131,3,3 1. Residents.

AB131,3,4 2. In active service with the U.S. armed forces outside this state.

AB131,3,5 3. On furlough or leave within the state.

AB131,3,9 (b) The department may not impose any deadline or other restriction on the timing for permit applications or issuing permits under this subsection. If a permit under this subsection is issued during the applicable hunting season, the permit shall authorize hunting beginning on the date of issuance.

AB131, s. 3 Section 3. 29.192 (4c) of the statutes is created to read:

AB131,3,14 29.192 (4c) (a) Notwithstanding sub. (4), the department may issue permits authorizing the hunting of Canada geese without requiring that the permits be issued pursuant to a cumulative preference system under sub. (4) to members of the U.S. armed forces who are all of the following:

AB131,3,15 1. Residents.

AB131,3,16 2. In active service with the U.S. armed forces outside this state.

AB131,3,17 3. On furlough or leave within the state.

AB131,3,21 (b) The department may not impose any deadline or other restriction on the timing for permit applications or issuing permits under this subsection. If a permit under this subsection is issued during the applicable hunting season, the permit shall authorize hunting beginning on the date of issuance.

AB131,4,2 (c) An applicant for a Canada goose hunting permit under this subsection shall be eligible for the same number of tags, if any are required, for each season as an applicant who is issued a Canada goose hunting permit under the cumulative preference system under sub. (4).

AB131,4,3 (End)