BILL AS INTRODUCED S.32
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VT LEG #380026 v.1
S.32 1
Introduced by Senators Hardy, Beck, Heffernan, Watson and Williams 2
Referred to Committee on 3
Date: 4
Subject: Fish and wildlife; fishing; free license; persons with developmental 5
disabilities 6
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to provide a free 7
permanent fishing license to Vermont residents who are persons with 8
developmental disabilities. 9
An act relating to providing a free fishing license to persons with 10
developmental disabilities 11
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: 12
Sec. 1. 10 V.S.A. § 4255(c) is amended to read: 13
(c) A permanent or free license may be secured on application to the 14
Department by a person qualifying as follows: 15
* * * 16
(2) A person who is legally blind who is a Vermont resident may receive 17
a free permanent fishing license upon submittal of proper proof of blindness as 18
the Commissioner shall require. A person who is legally blind who is a 19 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.32
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resident in a state that provides a reciprocal privilege for Vermont residents 1
may receive a free one-year fishing license. 2
(3) A Vermont resident with paraplegia as defined in subdivision 3
4001(30) of this title or a permanent, severe, physical mobility disability 4
certified by a physician may receive a free permanent fishing license or, if the 5
person qualifies for a hunting license, a free combination hunting and fishing 6
license. A person with paraplegia or a person certified by a physician to have 7
permanent, severe, physical mobility disability who is a resident of a state that 8
provides a reciprocal privilege for Vermont residents may receive a free one-9
year fishing license or, if the person qualifies for a hunting license, a free one-10
year combination fishing and hunting license. 11
(4) A Vermont resident who is a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces and 12
who is, or ever has been, 60 percent disabled as a result of a service-connected 13
disability may receive a free fishing, hunting, or combination hunting and 14
fishing license that shall include all big game licenses, except for a moose 15
license, upon presentation of a certificate issued by the veterans’ 16
administration so certifying. A resident of a state that provides a reciprocal 17
privilege for Vermont veterans and who would qualify for a free license under 18
this subdivision if the person were a Vermont resident may receive a free one-19
year fishing, hunting, or combination hunting and fishing license. 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.32
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(5) A person participating in a fishing tournament for Special Olympics 1
may receive a free fishing license valid for that event. 2
* * * 3
(7) A certified citizen of a Native American Indian tribe that has been 4
recognized by the State pursuant to 1 V.S.A. chapter 23 may receive free of 5
charge one or all of the permanent fishing, hunting, or trapping licenses set 6
forth in subdivisions (1)(A)–(D) of this subsection if qualified for the license 7
and upon submission of a current and valid tribal identification card. 8
(8) A person with developmental disabilities who is a Vermont resident 9
may receive a free permanent fishing license upon submission to the 10
Commissioner of a statement signed by the person’s physician certifying that 11
the person meets the definition of a person with development disabilities. “A 12
person with developmental disabilities” has the same meaning as in 18 V.S.A. 13
§ 9302. 14
Sec. 2. EFFECTIVE DATE 15
This act shall take effect on July 1, 2025. 16