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H 5570

Hunting and Fishing Licenses

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Gary Brewer

Disability licenses become lifetime and free for eligible residents, with no renewal needed, while antlered deer tag revenues fund a perpetual Coyote and Hog Management Program wit

Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs
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Bill Summary · H 5570

Summary of Bill H. 5570 (Session 2025-2026) – South Carolina

Overview

H. 5570 proposes amendments to South Carolina law governing hunting and fishing licenses. The bill has two substantive parts:
1) Eligibility and issuance of disability licenses for residents certified as totally and permanently disabled.
2) Use of revenues from antlered deer tags to fund a Coyote and Hog Management Program, plus a required annual reporting to the General Assembly on fund use.

The act is set to take effect upon the Governor’s approval, with the provisions related to the coyote/hog program remaining in effect before and after December 31, 2027.

Key Provisions

1) Disability Licenses – Certification and Issuance (Section 50-9-525)

  • Amends eligibility for lifetime disability licenses:
    • A resident who applies for a disability license and has quadriplegia or paraplegia, or who is certified as totally and permanently disabled by specified governmental agencies listed in Section 50-9-525(A), must be issued:
    • a lifetime disability combination license, or
    • a lifetime disability fishing license
    • These licenses must be issued at no cost to the qualifying applicant.
  • Renewal/recertification:
    • Disability recertification or renewal of this license is not required. This implies the disability determination is effectively lifelong once certified.
  • Eligible applicants:
    • The bill references governmental agencies listed in the current statute (as of enactment) for certification of total and permanent disability.

2) Use of Antlered Deer Tag Revenues – Coyote and Hog Management Program (Section 50-9-920)

  • Revenue use:
    • Revenues from the sale of resident antlered deer tags (antler restriction tag) will be used to administer the Coyote and Hog Management Program.
  • Reporting requirement:
    • No later than January 31 of each year, the South Carolina Department must file with the General Assembly a report detailing the use of these funds for the preceding year.
  • Purpose:
    • The change ties a portion of license revenue to wildlife management activities targeting coyotes and feral hogs, which are commonly managed due to their ecological and agricultural impacts.

Who Is Affected

  • Residents applying for disability licenses:
    • Individuals with quadriplegia or paraplegia, or those certified as totally and permanently disabled by the specified governmental agencies.
    • These individuals would now receive lifetime disability licenses at no cost, without needing ongoing recertification.
  • Hunters and license buyers:
    • Revenues from resident antlered deer tag sales will be directed toward a wildlife management program (coyotes and hogs) and subject to annual reporting.
  • South Carolina General Assembly:
    • Will receive annual fiscal and programmatic reports on the use of these funds.

Procedural and Timeline Notes

  • Effective date: The act takes effect upon the Governor’s approval.
  • Section 2 effectiveness: The coyote/hog program funding and reporting requirements apply both before and after December 31, 2027 (the provisions are perpetual beyond that date).
  • Introduction/Referral: Introduced and read first time on April 23, 2026; referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs.

Practical Impact

  • For disabled residents meeting criteria, the bill simplifies access to licenses by waiving costs and removing renewal requirements, potentially increasing convenience and participation in hunting/fishing activities for disabled veterans and residents.
  • The Department gains a dedicated funding stream for managing nuisance wildlife (coyotes and feral hogs), coupled with annual transparency through reporting to the General Assembly.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with current law or a one-page briefing for stakeholders.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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