Senate Bill No. 69, introduced by Senator Myers, amends existing laws regarding hunting and fishing licenses in Louisiana. The bill establishes a special escrow account within the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, known as the "Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation Escrow Account," which will receive donations intended for purchasing hunting and fishing licenses for disabled veterans. The bill modifies the use of funds in this account, allowing them to be used not only for licenses but also for purchasing a commemorative durable hard card that contains licensing information for disabled veterans. Additionally, it specifies that no more than ten percent of the account's funds can be allocated for administrative costs.

The bill also revises the eligibility criteria for obtaining a Senior/Retired Military/Honorably Discharged Veteran Hunting and Fishing license. It retains the existing provisions for seniors and retired military members while expanding eligibility to include honorably discharged members of the United States Armed Forces. The annual license fee remains at $20. The changes are set to take effect on August 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
SB69 Original: 56:645(B), 56:3000(G), 56:3004(A)(2)