The bill amends the Parks and Wildlife Code to provide fee waivers for certain hunting and fishing licenses specifically for honorably discharged veterans of the United States armed services and qualified veterans with disabilities. The commission is mandated to waive fees for these veterans, while also removing the previous provision that allowed fee waivers for residents on active duty in the military. This change is reflected in the amendments to Sections 42.012(b) and 46.004(c), which now include the new categories of veterans eligible for fee waivers.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new subsection (c) to Section 50.002, which specifically states that the commission shall waive the fee for an annual combination hunting and fishing license for honorably discharged veterans. The changes will only apply to licenses issued on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025, and any licenses issued prior will remain under the previous law without the requirement for refunds.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Parks and Wildlife Code 42.012, Parks and Wildlife Code 46.004, Parks and Wildlife Code 50.002 (Parks and Wildlife Code 50, Parks and Wildlife Code 42, Parks and Wildlife Code 46)