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Bill

S 20

Native American

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Brad Hutto

Amends Native American hunting/fishing licenses to provide no-cost or low-cost licenses with tribal membership verification, and allows certain Native American artists to sell craf

Referred to Committee on Fish, Game and Forestry
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Bill Summary · S 20

Summary — S 20 (titled “Native American”)

Note on source material and scope
- The file you provided contains two different, unrelated texts bundled together: (1) a Massachusetts local charter amendment (seeking to rename “Board of Selectmen” to “Select Board” in the town of Seekonk), and (2) a draft amendment to the South Carolina Code of Laws concerning Native American hunting/fishing licenses and the sale of traditional crafts (text dated 12/11/2024). The legislative actions and sponsor (Sen. Dan Stec) and committee referral (Fish, Game and Forestry) appear to relate to the bill you labeled S 20; the substantive provisions below summarize the South Carolina-style “Native American” provisions included in the packet because they match the bill title and committee placement. If you want a focused summary of the Seekonk charter changes instead, say so and I’ll provide that separately.

Purpose and intent
- To amend state law governing hunting and fishing licenses and related exemptions for recognized Native American tribal members, to set procedures for proof of tribal membership, to make conforming changes regarding migratory game bird permits, and to permit certain Native American artists to sell traditional crafts using legally obtained wild turkey feathers (subject to identification and limits).

Key provisions (drawn from the included SC-style draft)
1. License duration and special license expiry
- Adds a special expiration date provision for the “Native American Catawba Indian license,” explicitly stating it expires October 27, 2092.

  1. Gratis/senior/Native American licenses and proof of membership (amends section on gratis, senior, and Catawba licenses)

    • Confers no-cost or low-cost lifetime hunting and/or fishing licenses for specified groups (existing gratis and senior provisions retained).
    • Establishes that a resident who is a member of a recognized Native American tribe or group (recognized by the U.S. Government or the state Commission for Minority Affairs) may obtain a Catawba/Native American hunting and fishing license at no cost.
    • Requires proof of tribal membership: a certification or affidavit signed by the chief of the applicant’s tribe must accompany the application. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) may develop a standard affidavit form.

  2. Hunter education conditionality

    • For residents born after certain dates who lack hunter education certification, permits limited fishing privileges until certification is completed; upon completing hunter education they may apply for full hunting privileges.

  3. Scope of privileges

    • Gratis, senior, and Native American licenses include privileges for statewide hunting, big game, hunting on wildlife management areas, migratory waterfowl, and freshwater/saltwater fishing as currently enumerated.
    • No cost for required tags tied to these licenses, except for DNR activities controlled by lottery.

  4. Migratory game bird permits (conforming change)

    • Residents aged 64+ holding lifetime/gratis/senior/Native American licenses are not required to obtain a separate migratory game bird permit (conforms language to include the Native American license).

  5. Sale of traditional crafts using wild turkey feathers (art/commerce provision)

    • Permits a Native American artist who is a member of a tribe recognized under the Indian Arts and Crafts Board Act (Public Law 101‑644) and by the state Commission on Minority Affairs to use wild turkey feathers in arts and crafts offered for sale to the public, provided the artist carries a tribal identification card evidencing authorization.
    • Prohibits sale of other specific wild turkey parts (e.g., capes, beards, fans) under this provision.
    • Requires an affidavit signed by the tribal chief to obtain the tribal identification card; the state Commission on Minority Affairs may adopt a form affidavit.

  6. Effective date

    • The act would take effect upon approval by the Governor (per the included draft).

Who would be affected
- Members of recognized Native American tribes residing in the state (eligibility for no‑cost or senior/free-license privileges and ability to sell certain crafts).
- State department(s) administering licenses (e.g., Department of Natural Resources), which must accept tribal affidavits/certifications and may create standard forms.
- Tribal leadership (chiefs) who must certify membership for applicants and artisans.
- Recreational hunters and anglers generally (minor administrative and definitional changes; licensing privileges clarified).
- Wildlife law enforcement and arts/commerce regulators (to enforce limits on sale of turkey parts and verify tribal IDs).

Procedural and timeline notes (from provided actions)
- Multiple procedural entries are listed (prefiled 12/11/2024; introduced 01/14/2025; committee referrals and hearings; reported favorably; read and advanced on various dates). The draft text indicates the measure becomes effective upon the Governor’s approval.
- If enacted, agencies (DNR, state Commission for Minority Affairs) would likely need to adopt implementing forms and processes (affidavit form, tribal ID issuance) prior to issuance of licenses or tribal artist cards.

Observations / issues to clarify
- The packet mixes texts from different jurisdictions (MA local charter amendment and SC code amendments). Confirm which state’s S 20 you want summarized (the sponsor and committee referral you provided—Dan Stec; Fish, Game & Forestry—suggests a New York Senate bill). If you want a clean summary tailored to the New York bill text, please supply that text or confirm which of the included texts is the authoritative version.

If you’d like, I can:
- Produce a focused one‑page summary only for the Seekonk charter renaming, or
- Produce a legislative-impact memo listing anticipated administrative steps, estimated costs, and enforcement implications for the Native American license/artisan provisions.

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

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