Purpose

• Lower fishing license fees for residents who are 65 years of age or older.
• Establish a mechanism to reimburse or offset the lost revenue to the state’s game and fish program when senior licenses are discounted.

Main Provisions

• Senior license discount

  • The bill creates a reduced senior fishing license price for residents age 65 or older: 65+ license to take fish by angling would cost 15 dollars.
  • Other license types and prices are listed for residents 18+ and under 65, including:
  • Angling license (18+ under 65): 25
  • Combined license for a married couple (18+ under 65): 40
  • Spearing from a dark house (18+ under 65, requires an angling license): 6
  • 24-hour angling license (18+ under 65): 12
  • 72-hour angling license (18+ under 65): 14
  • 3-year angling license (18+ under 65): 71
  • Minor license (16–17): 5

• Fiscal transfer and offset mechanism

  • The bill requires transfers to the game and fish fund to offset the revenue lost due to the reduced senior license price.
  • An annual process is established to estimate and reimburse the game and fish fund for the reduced senior license revenue.

• Revenue offset calculation and timing

  • By August 1 each year, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) must provide the number of resident licenses sold to people age 65+ at the reduced rate (the 65+ senior license).
  • By August 1, the Department of Management and Budget (MMB) must determine the estimated revenue loss by multiplying the number of senior licenses sold by the difference between the regular fee (for general licenses) and the senior fee.
  • By August 15 each year, MMB must transfer the estimated lost revenue from the general fund to the game and fish fund.

• Fund sources and receipts (amended language)

  • The bill references how receipts for game and fish purposes are credited to the game and fish fund, including licenses, fines, and other sources, and makes adjustments to align with the new senior licensing structure.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Fee structure update
  • Adds a specific senior (65+) angling license price and ties it into a broader schedule of resident fishing licenses.
• Funding mechanism for reduced senior fees
  • Creates a formal reimbursement mechanism to cover the revenue shortfall in the game and fish fund caused by discounted senior licenses.
• Accountability and reporting
  • Establishes annual reporting deadlines (August 1 for license counts; August 15 for transfers) to determine and fund revenue losses.

Implementation and Oversight

• Responsible entities
  • Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR): provide annual counts of 65+ license sales at the reduced rate.
  • Department of Management and Budget (MMB): calculate revenue loss and execute transfers from the general fund to the game and fish fund.
• Related statutes referenced
  • Amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 97A.055 (receipts and allocations to the game and fish fund).
  • Adds a new subdivision 2c to 97A.055 for reimbursement for reduced senior licenses.
  • Amends 97A.475 subdivision 6 to set the senior license price and related license fee structure.

Potential Impacts

• For residents 65 and older
  • Lower cost to obtain a senior fishing license, potentially increasing participation among older residents.
• For the state budget and game and fish fund
  • A projected annual offset transfer from the general fund to the game and fish fund to compensate for the discounted senior licenses.
• For overall licensing customers
  • A clear tiered price structure with several license options and durations, alongside the senior discount.

Implementation Details to Watch

• How the difference between the regular fee and the senior fee is calculated and applied each year.
• The accuracy of annual license sales data from DNR used to estimate revenue loss.
• The sufficiency and timing of transfers from the general fund to the game and fish fund to cover shortfalls.

Relevant Terms - game and fish fund - general fund - reduced fishing license fees - residents - 65 years of age or older / 65+ - fishing license price - angling license - combined license (married couple) - 24-hour angling license - 72-hour angling license - three-year license - spearing from a dark house - Department of Natural Resources (DNR) - Department of Management and Budget (MMB) - Section 97A.055 - Section 97A.475 subdivision 6 - Section 97A.055 subdivision 2c - revenue loss / reimbursement - fiscal year / annual transfer - license counts - revenue offset - reimbursements to the game and fish fund