HF 2790

as introduced - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to game and fish; modifying permit provisions for disabled hunters;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97B.055, subdivision 3.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97B.055, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Hunting from vehicle by disabled hunters.

(a) The commissioner may
issue a special permit, without a fee, to discharge a firearm or bow and arrow from a
stationary motor vehicle to a person who obtains the required licenses and who has a
permanent new text begin or chronic new text end physical disability that is more substantial than discomfort from
walking. The permit recipient must be:

(1) unable to step from a vehicle without aid of a wheelchair, crutches, braces, or
other mechanical support or prosthetic device; or

(2) unable to walk any distance because of a permanent new text begin or chronic new text end lung, heart,
or other internal disease deleted text begin that requires the person to use supplemental oxygen to assist
breathing deleted text end .

(b) The permanent new text begin or chronic new text end physical disability must be established by medical
evidence verified in writing by a licensed physician or chiropractor. The commissioner
may request additional information from the physician or chiropractor if needed to
verify the applicant's eligibility for the permit. Notwithstanding section 97A.418, the
commissioner may, in consultation with appropriate advocacy groups, establish reasonable
minimum standards for permits to be issued under this section. In addition to providing
the medical evidence of a permanent new text begin or chronic new text end disability, the applicant must possess a
valid disability parking certificate authorized by section 169.345 or license plates issued
under section 168.021.

(c) A person issued a special permit under this subdivision and hunting deer may
take a deer of either sex, except in those antlerless permit areas and seasons where no
antlerless permits are offered. This subdivision does not authorize another member of a
party to take an antlerless deer under section 97B.301, subdivision 3.

(d) A permit issued under this subdivision is valid for five years.

(e) The commissioner may deny, modify, suspend, or revoke a permit issued under
this section for cause, including a violation of the game and fish laws or rules.

(f) A person who knowingly makes a false application or assists another in making a
false application for a permit under this section is guilty of a misdemeanor. A physician or
chiropractor who fraudulently certifies to the commissioner that a person is permanently
new text begin or chronically new text end disabled as described in this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.