HF4670

Purpose

• Provide a pathway for certain disabled hunters to discharge a firearm or bow and arrow from a stationary motor vehicle, and to identify lifetime permit status on Minnesota drivers licenses and Minnesota identification cards. The bill aims to improve hunting access for people with significant mobility or health challenges while maintaining safety and law enforcement oversight.

Key Provisions

• Special permit for disabled hunters: The commissioner may issue a special permit without a fee to discharge a firearm or bow from a stationary vehicle to a person with a permanent physical disability that is more than just discomfort from walking.
• Disability criteria: Eligibility includes being unable to step from a vehicle without a wheelchair, crutches, braces, or other mechanical support, or being unable to walk any distance due to a permanent lung, heart, or other internal disease that requires supplemental oxygen.
• Medical verification: Eligibility must be supported by medical evidence in writing from a licensed physician, chiropractor, advanced practice registered nurse, or licensed physician assistant; the commissioner may request additional information if needed.
• Standards and oversight: In consultation with appropriate advocacy groups, the commissioner may establish reasonable minimum standards for permits.
• Required identification: The applicant must possess a valid disability parking certificate (section 169.345) or license plates (section 168.021).
• Hunting rules under the permit: A person with the permit who hunts deer may take a deer of either sex, except in antlerless permit areas where no antlerless permits are offered. This does not authorize another party member to take an antlerless deer.
• Permit duration: The permit is valid for five years.
• Denial, modification, suspension, or revocation: The commissioner may deny, modify, suspend, or revoke a permit for cause, including violations of game and fish laws or rules.
• False applications and fraudulent certification: Creating or aiding a false application is a misdemeanor; a licensed medical professional who fraudulently certifies disability is also guilty of a misdemeanor.
• Lifetime permit option: The commissioner may issue a lifetime permit if they determine there is no chance the applicant will become ineligible and the applicant requests it. The lifetime permit remains valid for the applicant’s lifetime, and the commissioner must notify the Department of Public Safety if a lifetime permit is suspended or revoked for purposes of issuing licenses or state IDs.

Lifetime Permit Identification on Licenses/IDs

• If granted, the lifetime permit status must be indicated on the applicant’s driver’s license or Minnesota identification card. The commissioner must coordinate with the appropriate agencies to ensure proper indications appear on licenses/IDs when a lifetime permit is suspended, revoked, or otherwise changed.

Enforcement, Penalties, and Oversight

• Violations of the permit terms, false applications, or fraudulent certifications are subject to misdemeanor penalties.
• The commissioner has authority to deny, modify, suspend, or revoke permits for cause, including failure to comply with game and fish laws or rules.
• Notwithstanding existing statutory references, the commissioner may set standards and administer the program with input from advocacy groups.

Practical Impact and Changes to Law

• Expands hunting access for people with certain permanent disabilities by allowing discharging from a parked vehicle under a specially issued permit.
• Introduces a formal process to verify disability, assign a finite or lifetime permit, and display permit status on state IDs and licenses.
• Establishes penalties to deter fraudulent applications and improper certifications.
• Integrates safety and regulatory safeguards by tying the permit to disability documentation and to existing disability parking credentials.

Relevant Terms - special permit without a fee - discharge a firearm or bow and arrow from a stationary motor vehicle - permanent physical disability more substantial than discomfort from walking - unable to step from a vehicle without aid (wheelchair, crutches, braces, prosthetic, etc.) - permanent lung/heart/other internal disease requiring supplemental oxygen - medical evidence verified in writing by licensed professional (physician, chiropractor, ARNP, or PA) - disability parking certificate (section 169.345) or license plates (section 168.021) - deer of either sex; antlerless permits; antlerless permit areas - five years (permit duration) - lifetime permit - Notwithstanding section 97A.418 - false application; misdemeanor - fraudulent certification by medical professionals; misdemeanor - commissioner's authority to deny, modify, suspend, or revoke - license/ID indications of lifetime permit status - section references: 97B.055, 97B.301, 169.345, 168.021, 97A.418