(a) Any person who is totally and permanently disabled and receiving disability retirement from a public or private entity or a disability benefit from the federal Social Security Administration, the United States Railroad Retirement, the United States Office of Personnel Management, the Retirement Systems of Alabama, or a unit of federal, state, or local government designated by rule of the department and who has been a bona fide resident of this state for not less than 90 days next preceding the date of application may, upon the payment of an annual license fee as provided in subsection (b), plus an issuance fee of one dollar ($1), procure a special fishing or hunting license in the following manner: The applicant shall file with the person, in the county in which he or she resides, who is duly authorized to issue licenses, an application, stating his or her age, place of residence, post office address, and length of residence in this state. The application shall have attached evidence of the receipt of disability benefits as may be required by rule.
(b) For purposes of this section, annual license fees shall be as follows:
(1) Hunting license: five dollars ($5).
(2) Freshwater fishing license: two dollars ($2).
(3) Saltwater fishing license: two dollars ($2).
(c) The annual license and issuance fees provided in this section shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Section 9-11-68.
(d) The license application process, including, but not limited to, providing proof of residency and disability status, may be established by rule.
(e)(1)a. A fishing license issued pursuant to this section shall be in lieu of the annual resident fishing license in Section 9-11-53.
b. A hunting license issued pursuant to this section shall be in lieu of the annual resident hunting license in Section 9-11-44, except for the disabled military veterans hunting license provided in that section.
c. A saltwater fishing license issued pursuant to this section shall be in lieu of the annual resident saltwater fishing license in Section 9-11-53.1.
(2) This section does not supersede any additional license or requirement to hunt on state-operated wildlife management areas, as provided in Section 9-11-45 or to hunt migratory waterfowl, as provided in Section 9-11-433.
(3) An annual resident hunting or freshwater fishing license for a person with a disability shall entitle the license holder to all of the privileges of the wildlife heritage license.
(f) The issuing officer or authority shall be allowed an issuance fee of one dollar ($1) for each license issued. In counties in which the probate judge or issuing officer is on a fee system, the issuing fee shall be retained by the probate judge or issuing officer, and in a county in which the probate judge or issuing officer is on a salary basis, the issuing fee shall be paid into the county treasury. These licenses shall not be issued by special agents.
Last modified: May 3, 2021