WV SENIORS COULD HAVE TO BUY 'LIFETIME' HUNTING-FISHING LICENSE |
| (02/04/2011) |
| West Virginia senior citizens would pay $25 for a lifetime hunting, fishing and trapping license under a measure passed by the House of Delegates. But Wednesday's 66-32 vote was largely along party lines after GOP delegates objected to the proposal. Residents age 65 and older currently don't need licenses. Wednesday's measure would create a new Class XS license for residents who turn 65 after Jan. 1, 2012. Current citizens who are over 65 would be grandfathered from buying the new license. Supporters say the $25 fee will help draw-down matching federal funds for outdoor sporting programs. But House Republicans questioned the potential windfall. They sought unsuccessfully to amend the bill to leave a lifetime license as an option. Lawmakers have debated a lifetime license for several years. It advances to the Senate.
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