Sen. Kissel Votes to Provide Credits to Sportsmen Who Paid Too Much for Hunting and Fishing Licenses

State Senator John A. Kissel (R-Enfield) today voted in favor of legislation that passed the State Senate requiring the Department of Environmental Protection to issue credits to sportsmen who paid for hunting and fishing licenses before the General Assembly voted to lower the prices. Sportsmen are eligible to redeem the credits when renewing their licenses next year.

“I am pleased the General Assembly saw fit to reduce fees for hunting and fishing licenses and that we will be correcting a wrong by extending those savings to individuals who purchased licenses before the fee reduction was implemented,” said Senator Kissel. “I wish we could get the credits to eligible sportsmen sooner, but by and large I believe this correction will be well received by hunters and fishers in the Seventh District.”

The General Assembly voted to cut the costs of hunting and fishing licenses as part of a FY09 deficit mitigation plan. The fees were raised by the General Assembly last year in an effort to balance the state budget. Senator Kissel voted against the state budget that included the license fee increases.

The legislation allowing credits to sportsmen who paid for their licenses before prices were reduced now heads to the House of Representatives where it is expected to pass with bipartisan support.

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