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| Date: | February 22, 2012 | | Contact Name: | Susan Closmore | | Contact Phone: | 651-296-5712 | | Contact Email: | susan.closmore@senate.mn | | For Immediate Release | |
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| Senator Gazelka Sponsors "Freedom to Hunt & Fish Act of 2012" |
St. Paul- The “Freedom to Hunt & Fish Act of 2012”, authored by Senate Assistant Majority Leader Paul Gazelka (R-Brainerd), passed out of the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee Tuesday. In the event of a state government shutdown, Senator Gazelka’s bill (SF 1911) would make game and fish licenses available by electronic transaction.
“The unnecessary government shutdown in 2011 revealed a problem in the DNR fishing licensing process. Minnesotans and folks from out of state were unable to purchase licenses during one of the busiest times of the year resulting in a decline in tourism. Not only were Minnesota hospitality and outdoors businesses negatively impacted but the DNR estimates it lost between $1 million and $3 million in fishing license revenue during the shutdown,” said Senator Gazelka. “This bill allows hunting and fishing licenses to be obtained electronically in the event of a government shutdown. One of Minnesota’s greatest resources and attractions is the great outdoors, I want to ensure legal access to those opportunities, even in a shutdown.”
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