DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 718 Engrossed 2022 Regular Session Charles Owen
Abstract: Adds Purple Heart recipients and former military service members who either enlisted
or were discharged while residing in Louisiana to those who may apply for annual hunting
and fishing licenses at the resident rate and provides a set fee for the Senior/Retired Military
combination hunting and fishing license.
Present law, effective until June 1, 2022, provides certain categories of nonresidents that may qualify
for resident license rates, which includes Purple Heart recipients. (R.S. 56:643)
Present law, effective June 1, 2022, also provides certain categories of nonresidents that may qualify
for resident license rates, but omits Purple Heart recipients. (R.S. 56:3000(F) as enacted by Act 356
of the 2021 Regular Session)
Proposed law restores resident rate eligibility for Purple Heart recipients. Proposed law further
provides that former service members who enlisted or were discharged while residing in the state
will also be eligible for resident rates. Specifies that an applicant under either provision of proposed
law is required to prove their eligibility and provide the dept. with identification. Further specifies
that under proposed law, a DD-214 or NGB-22 is one type of documentation that the department
will accept as satisfactory proof of the appropriate military service.
Present law, effective June 1, 2022, provides a schedule of fees for each type of recreational fishing,
hunting, and combination licence offered by the dept., and each of the categories is divided into fees
for resident licenses and fees for nonresident licenses. Specifies that each section of law for hunting,
fishing, and combination license fees includes a list of certain nonresident categories that may
qualify for resident rates. (R.S. 56:3000(F), 3001, 3002, and 3004 as enacted by Act 356 of the 2021
Regular Session)
Proposed law retains resident rate eligibility for certain categories of nonresidents only within the
license requirements and definitions section and removes the duplicative statements provided under
each of the fishing, hunting, and combination license fee provisions to remove the potential for
inconsistency.
Present law, effective until June 1, 2022, offers an annual hunting and fishing license for resident
and native-born retired military personnel for the cost of $5. (R.S. 56:643(C))
Present law, effective June 1, 2022, offers a Senior/Retired Military hunting and fishing license for
resident and native-born retired military personnel for half the cost of an annual resident hunting and fishing license. (R.S. 56:3000(G)(4) as enacted by Act 356 of the 2021 Regular Session)
Present law, effective June 1, 2022, also provides that the fee for a Senior/Retired Military
combination hunting and fishing license fee is $20. (R.S. 56:3004(A) as enacted by Act 356 of the
2021 Regular Session)
Proposed law retains the set fee of $20 for a Senior/Retired Military combination license and
changes the definition provision for the license by replacing "one-half the cost of an annual resident
license" with the set fee of $20, making the definition and fee provisions consistent.
Effective on June 1, 2022 if enacted on or before June 1, 2022 and supercedes any conflicting
provisions of Act No. 356 of the 2021 R.S. However, if enacted on or after June 2, 2022 effective
upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 56:3000(G), 3001, 3002, and 3004(Section heading), (A)(2) and (3), and
(B)(introductory paragraph); Adds R.S. 56:3000(F)(4) and (5))