Why It Matters: On Tuesday, July 22nd, the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs held a hearing on nearly 40 bills, two of which are designed to provide free hunting and fishing licenses to 100% disabled veterans at “free or no cost” (House Bill 3819 and House Bill 3858). Although intended to provide support and access to some of the most deserving members of our society, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) testified to the Committee on how to maintain federally matched conservation, instead of offering free licenses without reimbursement, while still benefiting our veterans. This “user pays- public benefits” system provides for habitat restoration, scientific wildlife population management and public access to natural resources.
Highlights:
- To receive matching funds through the American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF), a state must receive a net revenue of $2.00 per license.
- This year, in Massachusetts alone, there are five separate bills which would provide free, or discounted, hunting and fishing licenses to disabled veterans.
Providing hunting and fishing access to one of the most deserving groups of individuals in our community is laudable and deserves consideration. However, CSF encourages that when considering such proposals, the full impact on conservation funding be considered, and mitigated – including both the loss of license revenue, as well as the attendant loss of federal match dollars through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs.
It is rare that a discussion centered on issues of conservation is held with the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. However, when these conversations do occur, CSF works diligently to make sure funding for wildlife management and mission delivery of MassWildlife is maintained. These bills will be reported on by September 20th by the committee. CSF has encouraged amendments to the legislation and continues to support legislators to work with their wildlife agency. CSF also serves as a resource to educate legislators who may not always have opportunities to discuss conservation and the ASCF due to their committee assignments.
According to the Associate Director of Administration & Finance of MassWildlife, 85% of their funding is derived through the ASCF program from sportsmen and women. Whereas most states receive 60% or more funding through this model, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts significantly relies on funding through the federal match, as well as hunting and fishing license sales.
Numerous other states have developed and adopted ways to maintain and protect conservation funding for their wildlife agencies while still fulfilling their intention to reward and provide for groups such as disabled veterans.
One way the Commonwealth was encouraged to retain funding is by an example Tennessee provides of an amendment that could be added to these bills to protect conservation funding to MassWildlife: Tennessee Title 70, Chapter 2, § 70-2-104: “The agency shall be reimbursed for lost revenue resulting from the issuance of free or partially discounted combination hunting and fishing licenses created by statute on or after January 1, 2017, in an amount equal to the discounts received.”
Other states, like Arizona, have come up with a graduated scale for providing discounted licenses for honorably discharged service members based upon their time in the military (HB 2468). Legislators have been encouraged to work with MassWildlife to find the best solution for the wildlife agency’s and Commonwealth’s needs.
CSF encourages Massachusetts legislators to work with their wildlife agency to facilitate and prescribe best practices in maintaining conservation funding while also standing up for our community’s veterans. It is unclear of the size and scope of licenses that would be impacted by discounted or free programs in the Commonwealth. It is essential for MassWildlife to be a part of the discussion of licensing fees and discounts so that unintentional consequences do not hamper much needed funding for fisheries and wildlife conservation in the Commonwealth.
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