SB-0633, As Passed House, September 12, 2007

HOUSE SUBSTITUTE FOR

SENATE BILL NO. 633

     A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled

"Natural resources and environmental protection act,"

by amending section 43537 (MCL 324.43537), as amended by 1996 PA

585.

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

     Sec. 43537. (1) A resident who is declared legally blind is

eligible to purchase a senior restricted or senior all-species

fishing license. The department may demand proof of blindness. The

licensee, when fishing, shall possess proof of blindness and shall

furnish the proof upon the request of a peace officer.

     (2) A resident who has been determined by the United States

department of veterans affairs to be permanently and totally

disabled and entitled to veteran benefits at the 100% rate, for a

disability other than blindness, disabled veteran is eligible to

purchase any senior hunting license as described in section 43535

or any senior fishing license described in section 43536, or both.

     (3) As a pilot project for 2007, there shall be a disabled

veterans firearm deer season in at least 3 areas of this state,

including Marquette county and deer management units 053 and 064.

The disabled veterans firearm deer season shall correspond with the

youth firearm deer hunting days, if any, established by order of

the commission. A disabled veteran may take 1 deer during the

disabled veterans firearm deer season. A disabled veteran taking

deer during this season shall possess a current firearm deer

license, combination deer license, or antlerless deer license or a

deer management assistance permit authorizing the disabled veteran

to take a deer with a firearm and issued for the area or land upon

which the veteran is hunting. The same kind of deer may be taken

during the disabled veterans firearm deer season as during the

regular November firearm deer season. This subsection does not

limit the authority of the commission under section 40113a to

establish a special hunting season in any area of this state for

veterans with disabilities or other classes of individuals.

     (4) The department may demand proof of eligibility under this

subsection (2) or (3). The licensee, when hunting or taking aquatic

species, as applicable, shall possess proof of his or her

eligibility under this subsection (2) or (3) and shall furnish the

proof upon the request of a peace officer.

(5) (3) The department shall process licenses issued under

this section subsection (2) in the same manner as licenses issued

to senior citizens for purposes of receiving appropriations from

the legislature under section 43546.

     (6) As used in this section, "disabled veteran" means either

of the following:

     (a) A resident who has been determined by the United States

department of veterans affairs to be permanently and totally

disabled as a result of military service and entitled to veterans'

benefits at the 100% rate, for a disability other than blindness.

     (b) A resident rated by the United States department of

veterans affairs as individually unemployable.