MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2013 Regular Session
To: Military Affairs; Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks
By: Representatives Moak, Reynolds, Bain, Banks, Baria, Brown (66th), Buck (5th), Eaton, Evans (43rd), Evans (91st), Flaggs, Hines, Holland, Holloway, Horan, Lane, Miles, Myers, Oberhousen, Patterson, Perkins, Steverson, Stringer, DeBar, Dixon, Crawford
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE COMMISSION ON WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS TO DESIGNATE "WOUNDED WARRIOR SPECIAL HUNT AREAS" WITHIN WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS AND WILDLIFE REFUGES; TO LIMIT GUEST ADMITTANCE TO SUCH AREAS TO ONLY ONE PERSON FOR EACH ELIGIBLE VETERAN, SERVICE MEMBER, AND CERTAIN OTHER PERSONS; TO AUTHORIZE THE COMMISSION TO ADOPT THE NECESSARY RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) The Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks may designate one or more areas within wildlife management areas and wildlife refuges under the commission's control as "Wounded Warrior Special Hunt Areas" to honor wounded veterans and service members. The purpose of these designated areas is to provide special outdoor recreational opportunities for eligible veterans and service members.
(2) The Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks may limit guest admittance to the designated areas to any person who:
(a) Is an active duty member of any branch of the United States Armed Forces and has a combat-related injury as determined by his or her branch of the United States Armed Forces; or
(b) Is a veteran who served during a period of wartime service as defined in Title 38, United States Code, or peacetime service as defined in subsection (5) of this section and who:
(i) Has a service-connected disability as determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs; or
(ii) Was discharged or released from military service because of a disability acquired or aggravated while serving on active duty.
(3) The department may grant admittance to the designated areas to one (1) person who is not an eligible veteran or service member for purposes of accompanying an eligible veteran or service member who requires assistance to use the designated areas.
(4) For the purpose of this act, the term "peacetime service" means Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, or Air Force service that is not during a wartime service.
(5) The commission may adopt any rules and regulations deemed necessary to administer the provision of this act.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2013.