Why It Matters: Providing discounted licenses to deserving demographics such as seniors or veterans can increase hunting and fishing opportunities, but, if done incorrectly, they can also diminish the funds available to state fish and wildlife agencies through the American System of Conservation Funding. Reimbursing the agency from a state’s General Fund can offset that loss in revenue while still providing the intended benefits.
Highlights:
- House File 276, championed by members of the Minnesota Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, would discount resident fishing licenses for anglers aged 65 and over from $25 to $15.
- To avoid a shortfall in the Minnesota Game and Fish Fund, the bill directs money from the general fund back to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to offset funding foregone through these discounts.
- The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) submitted formal testimony in support of the bill, which was heard in Committee last week.
Minnesota House File 276, introduced and co-sponsored by leaders of the Minnesota Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, including Representative Jim Nash and Representative Josh Heintzeman, would create a discount for resident anglers aged 65 and over, reducing the cost of a fishing license from $25 to $15.
Typically, such a discount would reduce the revenue realized by the Minnesota DNR and diminish its ability to conserve the North Star State’s storied fishery populations and habitats. This legislation, however, would calculate the total revenue that would have been generated if the licenses purchased by seniors had been sold at the standard rate of $25, and then reimburse the DNR the difference from the General Fund. This reimbursement mechanism ensures that the Game and Fish Fund is not diminished year-over-year, and that the DNR may continue to carry out the important work of providing Minnesota anglers with quality opportunities to target their favorite species.
Although House File 276 was laid over for further discussion, it was positively received during its hearing. Ensuring that legislatures that wish to provide discounted or free hunting and fishing licenses to deserving demographics such as seniors or veterans do so by reimbursing the state fish and wildlife agency is one of CSF’s top policy priorities, and CSF will continue to advocate for legislation that provides increased opportunities without sacrificing agency funding.
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