H. B. 2094

          (By Delegates Iaquinta, Ferro and Hartman)
          [Introduced February 13, 2013; referred to the
          Committee on Natural Resources then Finance.]




A BILL to amend and reenact §20-2-42c of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to allowing members of the West Virginia National Guard or its Reserves to obtain free hunting and fishing licenses while serving in the West Virginia National Guard or its Reserves and upon full retirement licenses for life.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
     That §20-2-42c of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended and reenacted to read as follows:
ARTICLE 2. WILDLIFE RESOURCES.
§20-2-42c. Class C courtesy statewide hunting and fishing license.
     (a) A Class C license is a courtesy hunting and fishing license and entitles the licensee to hunt and fish in all counties of this state. It may be issued by the director upon application made to him or her and without fee to:
     (1) Members and agents of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service;
     (2) Members of state commissions of other states extending similar courtesies;
     (3) Diplomatic and consular representatives of foreign countries;
     (4) Persons engaged in scientific wildlife research;
     (5) Nonresident outdoor writers and other nonresidents engaged in promoting an interest in the natural resources of the State of West Virginia.
     Not more than one hundred courtesy licenses shall may be issued in one year, under this subsection. This is a base license and does not require the purchase of a prerequisite license to participate in the activities specified in this section, except as noted.
     (b) In addition to licenses issued under subsection (a) of this section, upon application demonstrating the person is qualified under this subsection, the director shall issue a Class C license to a member of the West Virginia National Guard or its Reserves. The license is valid during the time the member serves in the West Virginia National Guard or its Reserves. Upon full retirement from the West Virginia National Guard or its Reserves, the member is entitled to a Class C license which is valid for the remainder of the member's life.



     NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to allow members of the West Virginia National Guard and its Reserves to obtain free hunting and fishing licenses while serving in the West Virginia National Guard and Reserves and upon full retirement licenses for life.

     Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from the present law, and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.