Amends TCA Title 70.

This bill requires the fish and wildlife commission to designate two veterans and active military personnel waterfowl seasons, consisting of one day or longer per season, during which only veterans and active duty members of the United States armed forces, including members of the national guard and reserve who are on active duty other than for training, may participate and harvest coot, gallinule, moorhen, ducks, mergansers, and geese. During a veterans and active military personnel waterfowl season, non-veteran or non-active duty persons may be present; however, only veterans and active duty members of the United States armed forces may hunt.<br /> <br /> This bill requires the wildlife resources director and the director's agents, through the county clerks or other legally designated license sales agents, to issue any state permit or license that is required for a veteran or active military personnel to hunt waterfowl during seasons declared pursuant to this bill.<br /> <br /> This bill requires the wildlife resources director and the director's agents, through the county clerks or other legally designated license sales agents, to accept the following documentation as proof that a person requesting a license or permit under this bill is a veteran:<br /> <br /> (1) The person's certificate of release or discharge from active duty, showing dates of service and that the person received an honorable discharge;<br /> <br /> (2) The US uniformed services identification card;<br /> <br /> (3) The person's enlisted record and report of separation honorable discharge or notice of separation from US naval service showing the dates of service;<br /> <br /> (4) The person's official honorable discharge from US navy form, showing proof of honorable discharge; or<br /> <br /> (5) A valid driver license issued to this state's law, which indicates that the person is a veteran.<br /> <br /> Additionally, this bill requires the wildlife resources director and the director's agents, through the county clerks or other legally designated license sales agents, to accept a person's valid United States department of defense identification card as proof that the person requesting a license or permit under this bill is active military personnel.<br /> <br /> ON MARCH 14, 2024, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 1716, AS AMENDED.<br /> <br /> AMENDMENT #1 requires state permits or licenses that are required for a veteran or active military personnel to hunt waterfowl during seasons declared pursuant to the bill to be issued without charge to the veteran or active military personnel.<br />