Vet’s preference for license lotteries

The Department of Natural Resources would be required to give first preference to qualified military service members in drawings for hunting and fishing licenses, under a bill approved April 4 by the House Veterans Services Division.

Sponsored by Rep. Tim O'Driscoll (R-Sartell), HF836 would expand the eligibility preference to anyone awarded a Purple Heart medal and any service member or veteran who has a 100 percent service-connected disability. Such provisions are currently at the discretion of the DNR.

Peter Skwira, a DNR section manager, said there are about 1,200 anglers who would qualify and an unknown number of hunters.

The bill was amended into HF984, the House omnibus game and fish bill, which awaits action by the House Government Operations and Elections Committee.

The Senate omnibus environment, energy and natural resources bill, SF1029, is sponsored by Sen. Paul Gazelka (R-Brainerd). It was passsed March 29 by the Senate and laid on the table.