SENIOR SENATE PROPOSAL NO. 21

INTRODUCED BY SENIOR SENATOR WRIGHT

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

SP 21: FREE SPORT FISHING LICENSES.

UNDER EXISTING LAW, EVERY PERSON OVER 16 YEARS OF AGE WHO TAKES ANY FISH, REPTILE, OR AMPHIBIA FOR ANY PURPOSE OTHER THAN PROFIT IS REQUIRED TO FIRST OBTAIN A LICENSE FOR THAT PURPOSE AND TO HAVE THAT LICENSE ON HIS OR HER PERSON OR IN HIS OR HER IMMEDIATE POSSESSION WHEN ENGAGED IN CARRYING OUT ANY ACTIVITY AUTHORIZED BY THE LICENSE, AS PROVIDED. UNDER EXISTING LAW, THE DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME IS REQUIRED TO ISSUE FREE SPORT FISHING LICENSES TO ELIGIBLE PERSONS, INCLUDING THE BLIND, RESIDENT NATIVE AMERICANS WHO ARE FINANCIALLY UNABLE TO PAY THE FEE REQUIRED, DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED PERSONS, AND CERTAIN PHYSICALLY DISABLED PERSONS. EXISTING LAW ALSO REQUIRES THE DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME TO ISSUE A REDUCED-FEE SPORT FISHING LICENSE TO PERSONS RECEIVING AID TO THE AGED, PERSONS OVER 65 YEARS OF AGE WHO ARE RESIDENTS OF THIS STATE WITH AN INCOME THAT DOES NOT EXCEED A SPECIFIED AMOUNT, AND DISABLED VETERANS HAVING A 50 PERCENT OR GREATER SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITY, IF CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS ARE MET.

THIS MEASURE WOULD MEMORIALIZE THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR TO ENACT LEGISLATION TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME TO GIVE FREE SPORT FISHING LICENSES TO INTERESTED RESIDENTS OF THIS STATE WHO ARE PERSONS OVER 75 YEARS OF AGE OR WHO ARE DISABLED VETERANS.

VOTE: MAJORITY.

SP 21: RELATING TO FREE SPORT FISHING LICENSES

WHEREAS, FISHING AS A SPORT IS A POPULAR PASTIME, WHICH HAS NUMEROUS BENEFITS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS AND DISABLED VETERANS; AND

WHEREAS, DESPITE THE ONSET OF ILLNESS AND DISABILITY, MANY MEN AND WOMEN CAN AND DO CONTINUE TO FISH; AND

WHEREAS, FISHING IS HELPFUL TO PERSONS WITH ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE BECAUSE IT IS AN ACCESSIBLE ACTIVITY THAT STIMULATES NEURONS IN THE BRAIN BY REQUIRING THE PERSON TO FOCUS ON SMALL PSYCHOMOTOR ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS MAKING LURES AND PUTTING BAIT ON HOOKS; AND

WHEREAS, FISHING REQUIRES SENIOR CITIZENS AND DISABLED VETERANS WHO MIGHT OTHERWISE STAY IN THE HOUSE TO LEAVE HOME AND ENJOY THE OUTDOORS AND FRESH AIR; AND

WHEREAS, FISHING OFFERS THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL BENEFITS TO SENIOR CITIZENS AND DISABLED VETERANS:

(1) IT DECREASES DEPRESSION, ISOLATION, SELF-PITY, AND OTHER PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS.

(2) IT HELPS INCREASE SELF-ESTEEM THROUGH USING AND IMPROVING SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE UNIQUE TO FISHING AND SHARING THOSE SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE WITH OTHERS.

(3) IT HELPS TO FACILITATE BONDS AND GREATER COMMUNICATION WITH OTHER SPORT FISHERS, FRIENDS, AND FAMILY; AND

WHEREAS, SENIOR CITIZENS AND DISABLED VETERANS OFTEN HAVE A LIMITED INCOME, WHICH RESTRICTS THEIR ABILITY TO PAY FEES NECESSARY TO OBTAIN FISHING LICENSES; AND

WHEREAS, ARIZONA AND COLORADO OFFER FREE FISHING LICENSES TO THEIR RESIDENTS; AND

WHEREAS, FISHING IS SO IMPORTANT TO THE RESIDENTS OF THE EASTERN SIERRAS THAT THEY HAVE VOLUNTEERED TO BUILD A PIER AT CONVICT LAKE IN MONO COUNTY; NOW, THEREFORE, BE
IT

RESOLVED, BY THE SENIOR SENATE AND THE SENIOR ASSEMBLY, JOINTLY, THAT THE SENIOR LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AT ITS 2008 REGULAR SESSION, A MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS VOTING THEREFOR, HEREBY PROPOSES THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME OFFER FREE SPORT FISHING LICENSES TO INTERESTED RESIDENTS OF THIS STATE WHO ARE OVER THE AGE OF 75 YEARS OR ARE DISABLED VETERANS; AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, THAT THE SENIOR LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA RESPECTFULLY MEMORIALIZES THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA TO ENACT APPROPRIATE LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ADDRESS THE CONCERNS SET FORTH IN THIS MEASURE; AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, THAT A COPY OF THIS MEASURE BE TRANSMITTED TO THE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE OF THE SENATE, THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY, AND THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

RN 08 22174

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