CRPA Proudly Supports Affordable Hunting For Veterans

January 24, 2018

The Honorable James Gallagher
Assemblymember, 3^rd District
State Capitol, Room 2158
Sacramento, CA 95814

SUBJECT: AB 986 (Gallagher) – Veteran’s Discount on Hunting and Fishing License Fees
POSITION:  SUPPORT (as amended in Assembly January 22^nd, 2018)

The California Rifle and Pistol Association (CRPA), founded in 1875, is a nonprofit membership and donor supported organization with tens of thousands of members throughout California. CRPA works tirelessly to defend the civil and constitutional rights of individuals to choose to responsibly own and use firearms and works to preserve the traditional role of the citizen to hunt, to conserve, and preserve California’s natural resources. CRPA promotes the recreational shooting sports, and provides safety, education, and skills training to enable all persons a more enjoyable and safe recreational experience.

The CRPA is pleased to support AB 986 (Gallagher) which will make fishing and hunting more accessible to California veterans. The legislation reduces the cost of all licenses and fishing tags for honorably discharged California veterans. It also reforms Sportfishing licenses, by giving anglers a license option that is valid for 12 consecutive months from date of purchase.

When California is the most expensive state in the Nation to fish, the need for this legislation could not be timelier. According to a 2015 study, developed by the California Sportfishing League, fishing license sales have decreases by over 55% since 1980, and the high cost of fishing licenses in California is a leading barrier to participation.

A California fishing license currently is good for a calendar year, meaning that, no matter the date of purchase, the license expires on December 31^st. Many states have already adopted a new fee structure and marketing program, reforming this antiquated program, issuing a license for 12 consecutive months, and increasing participation and outdoor tourism.

AB 986 will give anglers more options by leaving the current annual license in place and offering a 12 consecutive month license as another option at 130% the cost of the regular license.  Most Importantly, AB 986 will reward American veterans who have defended our freedom with honor, and assist them with rehabilitation by providing a wholesome form of recreation for them and their families.

The CRPA recognizes Assemblyman Gallagher for authoring this much-needed legislation, recognizing veterans and the great outdoor hunting and fishing community.  For the foregoing reasons, the California Rifle and Pistol Association supports AB 986.

Respectfully Submitted,

Roy M. Griffith Jr.
Legislative Liaison
California Rifle and Pistol Association, Inc.
rgriffith@crpa.org