LANSING – State Representative Gary McDowell (D-Rudyard) today announced that his bill allowing disabled veterans and former prisoners of war to receive hunting and fishing licenses for $1 and camping and state park passes for free has passed out of the Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security. The bill will now go to the full House.
"Our disabled veterans made incredible sacrifices to keep our country and safe and free," McDowell said. "Michigan is God's Country, and the brave men and women who put their lives on the line for us deserve access to what makes our state so special. It's the least we can do to show our gratitude."
The legislation will waive or virtually eliminate recreation fees for prisoners of war and veterans who have been determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to be permanently and totally disabled as a result of their military service.
McDowell has a long record of standing up for Michigan's veterans. Earlier this year, he supported a law to create an early firearm deer season for disabled veterans, a move that will allow more veterans to participate in this Michigan tradition. He also has supported a bill requiring employers to provide paid bereavement leave for a spouse, parent or child of a servicemember killed on active duty.
"I don't want to see anyone – especially our veterans – lose the opportunity to hunt, fish and camp in Michigan because they can't afford to buy licenses or passes," McDowell said. "Michigan's outdoor recreational opportunities not only make our quality of life so special – they also play a critical role in our economy as well. I hope my colleagues will show their commitment to supporting our disabled veterans and rejuvenating our economy by passing this bill."