CT Senate offers credit for fishing, hunting fees
Associated Press
April 29, 2010

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Early birds who purchased their Connecticut fishing and hunting licenses before the General Assembly reduced a recent price increase are moving closer to getting a credit for next year's license.

The Senate passed the provision on Thursday evening. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives.

Earlier this month, Gov. M. Jodi Rell signed into law a budget bill that rolled back some unpopular fee increases that became effective last October. Instead of $40, a fishing license will now cost $28.

The rollback took effect on April 17, opening day of trout season. But some legislators said it was only fair that the Department of Environmental Protection provide a credit next year to those who paid their license fees early.

The House has until May 5 to approve the bill.

Latest from Bob Crook, received Sun, May 2nd:

Three days left in this Legislative Session – concludes Wednesday @ midnight. NOW is your opportunity to get a twofer! The bill below has passed the Senate and is ready for debate in the House providing more opportunity for Hunters (Handgun Hunting), and more important, a credit for those who paid the outrageous doubling of fees. For those who had contacted their legislators FOLLOW UP Now. With the plethora of bills being addressed, some Representatives may not be aware this bill passed in the Senate. For those who did not communicate-Do IT NOW. Support the sportsmen effort to get a credit on license fees and an additional hunting opportunity. This bill could be debated tomorrow (Monday)!



We have had several contacts on Handgun Hunting asking: If this passes, will a Permit be required? You WILL need a State Permit to Carry Pistols and Revolvers. There will be NO special hunting-only handgun permit. Many responded they will begin the Pistol Permit process immediately.



On Thursday 04/29, the State Senate PASSED Amendment “B” to S.B. No. 207 (RAISED) ENVIRONMENT. 'AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE HUNTING OF DEER BY PISTOL OR REVOLVER', which Establishes a credit to those who purchased a license, permit or tag between October 1, 2009, and April 14, 2010, to be applied against the fee for any such license, permit or tag purchased by such person on and after October 1, 2010. The vote on Amendment “B”, License Credit, was 34-0. The bill passed with Amendment “A”, removing the word “Pistol”, and “B” on a vote of 25-9. The bill is now ready for debate in the House.

It appears there is also significant support in the House but YOUR contact is needed. E-mail, and Write, and Phone Call YOUR State Representative NOW! You can find your CT legislator at http://www.cga.ct.gov/maps/townlist.asp

I just emailed mine.

The Antis are busy in Hartford today. They're getting ammendments added to the bill that may kill it. You may want to pick up a phone or get an e-mail off and let your Representative know you want to see SB 207 passed without the new ammendments.

Last chance for a credit guys and gals.

Just in from Bob Crook:

The FEE CREDIT Passed by the Senate has a good chance of being DEFEATED! Amendments placed on the bill by legislators Opposed to hunting may kill both Handgun hunting and the Fee Credit. Go to the Legislative website http://www.cga.ct.gov Enter @ the top Bill number 207 and read the following Uncalled Amendments.




House LCO Amendment #5230 [pdf]


House LCO Amendment #5233 [pdf]


House LCO Amendment #5236 [pdf]


House LCO Amendment #5235 [pdf]




Numerous amendments kill bills. We want this bill to be Passed clean with only the Senate Amendments. As the Hunting amendment reads now, DEP would write Policy or Regulations before implementation. Who better to decide the criteria? Leave implementation to the experts! Communicate with the sponsors of these amendments http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Hornish http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Megna designed to kill the bill which will eliminate remove the Fee Credit you’ve been requesting and with which most legislators agree. Request they Pull the Amendments and NOT call. Contact your own House Representative expressing your opinion. Be outraged but courteous.

DO IT NOW!



The Commissioner of Environmental Protection shall reserve a credit for any person who purchased a license, permit or tag described in section 26-27b, 26-28, 26-37, 26-39, 26-40, 26-42, 26-45, 26-48, 26-48a, 26-51, 26-52, 26-58, 26-60, 26-86a or 26-86c of the general statutes, or subsection (b) of section 26-49 of the general statutes, between October 1, 2009, and April 14, 2010. Such credit shall be equal to the amount of the difference between the amount that such person paid for such license, permit or tag between October 1, 2009, and April 14, 2010, inclusive, and the amount of the fee for such license, permit or tag, charged to such person on or after October 1, 2010. Such credit shall be applied against the fee for any such license, permit or tag purchased by such person on or after October 1, 2010. "



S.B. No. 207 (RAISED) ENVIRONMENT. 'AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE HUNTING OF DEER BY PISTOL OR REVOLVER', SUPPORT. Public Hearing 03/08. CCS Testimony. JFS 03/17 (w/Fee Chart). File Number 244 Senate Calendar Number 176 04/01. Referred by Senate to Committee on Finance, Revenue and Bonding 04/08. JFS 04/14. DELETE BILL IN ITS ENTIRETY EXCEPT FOR HANDGUN HUNTING. Title Change. New File Number 616 04/22. Amendment LCO No.: 4297 Establishes a credit to those who purchased a license, permit or tag between October 1, 2009, and April 14, 2010, to be applied against the fee for any such license, permit or tag purchased by such person on and after October 1, 2010. Senate PASSED as Amended by Senate Amendment Schedule A & B 04/29. Senate "A" removes the word Pistol; Senate "B" provides the License Credits. House Calendar Number 453.