Relating to fishing privileges of disabled veterans, and making penalties applicable

F. This bill relates to fishing privileges for disabled veterans. Under current law, a resident who served in the armed forces of the United States on federal active duty and who was disabled during that veteran’s military service is eligible to obtain a lifetime fishing license or lifetime hunting and fishing combined license. Under the bill, any person, regardless of whether the person is a resident, who is a disabled veteran may fish without acquiring a fishing license if the person’s disability occurred during the veteran’s military service. A person fishing in such manner shall, upon request of a peace officer, display proof of the person’s veteran status and disability status. A person who fails to provide the necessary documentation is guilty of a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation with a fine of $35. A person charged with failing to produce the necessary documentation may avoid conviction if the person produces in court, within a reasonable time, proof of the person’s veteran and disability status. The bill also makes a conforming change to the Code section concerning nonresident paddlefish fishing licenses and tags.