Hunting permit bill amended to include report

Senators advanced a bill from select file March 6 that would allow a developmentally disabled person to purchase a hunting permit.

LB699, introduced by O’Neill Sen. Tyson Larson, would allow a developmentally disabled person to purchase a hunting permit via a license-purchase exemption certificate issued by the state Game and Parks Commission. Another licensed hunter must accompany the disabled hunter.

Applicants for the certificate would be required to provide a written note from their physician, indicating that the person is at all times capable of understanding and following directions given by another person and that he or she currently is not a danger to himself, herself or others.

The bill also would consolidate current hunter education programs to form one program covering all hunting implements including firearms, crossbows, bow and arrows and air guns.

Lincoln Sen. Amanda McGill filed a motion to suspend the germaneness rule, which prevailed
30-0, to allow consideration of an amendment that would add provisions of her bill, LB1035. The amendment would require the Nebraska State Patrol and the state Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to provide the Legislature a record of citizens unable to purchase handguns due to disqualification or disability. The report also would be published on the Nebraska State Patrol and DHHS websites.

McGill said an investigation by her office discovered that statistics provided to the federal database by Nebraska regarding handgun purchase denials were not accurate. Updated information is important, she said, to prevent gun sales to individuals who suffer from mental instability, domestic violence offenders, fugitives from justice and people who have been served a restraining order.

The McGill amendment was adopted 29-0.

Senators adopted a technical amendment brought by Larson and advanced LB699 to final reading on a voice vote.