Requires quarterly reporting on the amounts awarded and received from the opioid stewardship fund

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Addabbo and 1 co-sponsor

Waives fishing and hunting license fees for Massachusetts residents who are disabled veterans certified by VA, streamlining access but reducing certain license revenue.

REFERRED TO FINANCE

Purpose

S.670 would make fishing and hunting licenses free for disabled veterans who are legal residents of Massachusetts. The bill aims to waive the license fees normally required under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 131 for veterans whose disability status is determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Key provisions

Amends Chapter 131 of the Massachusetts General Laws by adding a new section (designated “Section X” in the bill).

Entitles any disabled veteran who is a legal resident of the Commonwealth to receive a fishing and hunting license without paying the fees otherwise required under M.G.L. c.131, §11.

Eligibility requires application and submission of proof of disabled veteran status as determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

The act takes effect upon passage.

Who is affected

Direct beneficiaries: Massachusetts residents who are disabled veterans (as certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs). They would no longer pay statutory fees for fishing and hunting licenses.

State agencies: The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (or whichever state office issues licenses) will administer fee waivers, verify VA documentation, and issue licenses.

Commonwealth budget: Loss of fee revenue to the extent that eligible disabled veterans would otherwise have paid license fees.

Potential impacts

Benefits: Reduced out‑of‑pocket cost and improved access to outdoor recreation for disabled veterans; potential public‑health and quality‑of‑life benefits.

Fiscal: Likely a modest reduction in license fee revenue. The magnitude depends on the number of qualifying veterans who apply. Administrative costs may arise from processing applications and verifying VA documentation.

Administrative: The licensing agency must implement an application/verification process and adjust fee‑collection procedures.

Legislative status and timeline (as provided)

Bill filed/introduced: January 9, 2025 (Senate Docket No. 225 / Senate No. 670).

Referred to committee (records show referrals to Environment and Natural Resources and/or Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry); listed status also shows REFERRED TO FINANCE.

Hearing scheduled: October 21, 2025 (per supplied legislative actions).

Effective date: Upon passage.

Notes on source inconsistencies

The supplied metadata contains conflicting items (e.g., initial title referencing opioid stewardship reporting, out‑of‑state federal sponsors, duplicate referral dates). This summary is based on the bill text filed in the Massachusetts Senate (Senate No. 670 / Senate Docket No. 225) entitled “An Act relative to disabled veterans fishing and hunting licenses.” If you want, I can reconcile the conflicting metadata or produce a version focused on the opioid stewardship reporting language if that was the intended bill.

Bill