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SF 2762

Veterans with 100 percent service-connected disability obtaining a license for a fish house, dark house, or shelter without paying a fee authorization provision

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Grant Hauschild

Minnesota bill waives fish house licensing fees for 100% service-connected disabled veterans to reduce barriers to recreational ice fishing participation.

Referred to Environment, Climate, and Legacy
#disabilitiesandaccess #fishandfishing #naturalresourcesandnaturalresourcesdepartment #veteransandveteransaffairsdepartment
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SF 2762

Legislative bill overview

SF 2762 authorizes Minnesota to waive licensing fees for fish houses, dark houses, or shelters for veterans with 100 percent service-connected disability ratings. The bill creates a fee exemption allowing these veterans to obtain necessary licenses at no cost, recognizing their service-related disability status.

Why is this important

Veterans with 100 percent disability ratings often face significant financial constraints, and recreational activities like ice fishing can provide important mental health and social benefits. This policy removes a financial barrier to participation in outdoor recreation, which research suggests can aid veterans' physical and mental wellness. It's a modest but concrete way states can support disabled veterans' quality of life.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost-benefit analysis unclear: The fiscal impact of waived fees is not specified; if licensing revenue funds conservation programs, the cost burden shifts elsewhere
  • Definition specificity: The bill doesn't clarify whether the exemption applies to all license types or just specific seasonal permits, creating potential administrative ambiguity
  • Equity questions: Some may argue fee waivers should apply more broadly to disabled populations beyond veterans, or that means-testing rather than categorical exemptions would be more efficient

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

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