214:9-cc Lifetime Licenses for Bow and Arrow, Muzzleloader, and Crossbow. –
I. (a) The executive director, at the department of fish and game headquarters only, shall issue lifetime bow and arrow, muzzle loading firearm, and crossbow licenses for each type of game taken similar to that issued on an annual basis under RSA 208:5, RSA 208:5-a, or RSA 208:7-a, respectively, to any resident applicant upon payment of the proper fee, which shall be established by the executive director in accordance with the provisions of paragraph II. Lifetime bow and arrow, muzzle loading firearm, and crossbow licenses shall be issued only to residents who would be eligible to purchase annual licenses of the same type.
(b) In addition, the executive director may issue lifetime licenses under this section to any resident under 16 years of age. The parent or legal guardian of the applicant shall be a resident pursuant to RSA 207:1, XXIII. The bow and arrow, muzzle loading firearm, and crossbow licenses shall not be valid until the licensee has met all requirements for the issuance of such license. Upon meeting the requirements of RSA 214:23-a, the licensee shall have the license validated at the fish and game department headquarters only.
II. The executive director shall obtain an actuarial table based on an appropriate annuity from the commissioner of insurance and shall set the fee for the various licenses annually on July 15 of each year for the following year based on the age of the applicant. The fee for any applicant under 16 years of age shall be the same as the fee for a 16-year-old applicant. In addition the applicant shall pay the agent's fee in accordance with RSA 214-A:4.
III. In no case shall any lifetime license issued be transferable or any portion of the cost of the license refundable.
IV. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the moneys received from the sale of such lifetime bow and arrow, muzzle loading firearm, and crossbow licenses shall be deposited with the state treasurer who shall keep the same in the prepaid fish and game license fund. The state treasurer shall annually transfer to the fish and game fund from the prepaid fish and game license fund an amount equal to 9 percent of the portion of the principal balance in the fund each year attributed to lifetime bow and arrow, muzzle loading firearm, and crossbow licenses, and any interest that accrues to such portion of the prepaid fish and game license fund in excess of 5 percent.
V. In addition, the state treasurer shall pay the amount of one annual license fee to the fish and game fund from the proceeds of each lifetime bow and arrow, muzzle loading firearm, and crossbow license sold during the current year, the balance going into the prepaid fish and game license fund.
VI. Licenses issued pursuant to this section shall entitle the holder thereof to the same privileges and subject the licensee to the same restrictions as a holder of an annual license.
VII. The executive director shall, if necessary, adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, relative to the issuance and validation of the lifetime licenses.
Source. 2006, 50:1. 2008, 151:5, eff. June 6, 2008.