In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation to make it easier for Pennsylvania's disabled veterans to obtain the free or reduced-cost fishing licenses they have earned.
 
Pennsylvania provides discounted fishing licenses to veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 60% or greater, including free lifetime licenses for veterans who are 100% disabled. However, veterans seeking to establish their eligibility for the first time currently must have their disability documentation verified through the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission or a county treasurer.
 
For some disabled veterans, that requirement can create an unnecessary barrier. Traveling to a government office during normal business hours can be particularly difficult for veterans dealing with mobility limitations, transportation challenges or other service-connected disabilities.
 
My legislation would require the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission to establish a secure electronic process that allows disabled veterans to submit their applications and required VA documentation remotely. Veterans using the electronic process could not be required to appear in person solely to present or verify those documents.
 
Please join me in co-sponsoring this commonsense legislation to make state government more accessible to the veterans it is intended to serve.