ST. PAUL— Some Republican lawmakers in the Minnesota House are attempting to lower the cost of fishing licenses for Minnesotans aged 65 and up.
Two bills were discussed at a recent committee meeting to kick off the conversation about making a change.
Rep. Mary Franson, R-Alexandria, has proposed legislation that would make fishing licenses free for seniors, while Rep. Jim Nash, R-Waconia, wants to reduce the cost of a license from $25 to $15 for those 65 and older.
Nash described himself as an avid angler who frequently joins the Old Guys Fishing Club in Waconia. He stated that the fishing community over the age of 65 is due for a break.
“We need to do something for the people who have been paying in for forever,” Nash informed the crowd. “I think that this is a way that we can do something nice for people who are over 65 who fish.”
According to Pat Rivers, deputy director of the Fish and Wildlife division of the Department of Natural Resources, lowering the cost of licenses rather than making them free would have a smaller impact on the funds that support fishing in the state.
Even if the cost is reduced, Rivers believes that some revenue will be lost, necessitating reimbursement from the general fund, which lawmakers will have to consider if the legislation is passed.
“The reimbursement from the general fund recognizes that angling is big business for Minnesota,” Rivers told the audience. “Whether it’s filling up your boat with gas, staying at a resort, picking up bobbers and bait, you name it, it contributes to Greater Minnesota.”
Bordering states already offer similar discounts for seniors’ fishing licenses, with Wisconsin charging $7 instead of the standard $20 fee. South Dakota charges $17 for seniors versus $31 for other anglers, while North Dakota charges $5 instead of the standard $18 fee.
Rep. Josh Heintzeman, R-Nisswa, chairman of the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee, described the bills as conversation starters. That means the committee will work to determine what makes the most sense for Minnesota.
If the bill moves forward, it will most likely be included in a larger funding bill that must also be approved by the Senate. So far, no similar bill has been introduced in the Senate.
Nash believes that lowering the cost of fishing licenses for seniors will encourage them to bring grandchildren and others with them, ultimately helping to make fishing more popular among future generations.
“I would like to think that the state of Minnesota would find a way to say thank you to the people who have spent a lifetime buying licenses from it, and do something to take care of them,” Nash advised.
