1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to veterans; exempting veterans from the requirement of a firearm safety 
1.3 	certificate;amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97B.020.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97B.020, is amended to read:
1.6 	97B.020 FIREARMS SAFETY CERTIFICATE REQUIRED.
1.7 	(a) Except as provided in this section and section 97A.451, subdivision 3a, a person 
1.8 	born after December 31, 1979, may not obtain an annual license to take wild animals by 
1.9 	firearms unless the person has:
1.10 	(1) a firearms safety certificate or equivalent certificate;
1.11 	(2) a driver's license or identification card with a valid firearms safety qualification 
1.12 	indicator issued under section 171.07, subdivision 13;
1.13 	(3) a previous hunting license with a valid firearms safety qualification indicator; or
1.14 	(4) other evidence indicating that the person has completed in this state or in another 
1.15 	state a hunter safety course recognized by the department under a reciprocity agreement or 
1.16 	certified by the department as substantially similar.
1.17 	(b) A person who is on active duty or who is a veteran, as defined in section 197.447, 
1.18 	and has successfully completed basic training in the United States armed forces, reserve 
1.19 	component, or National Guard may obtain a hunting license or approval authorizing 
1.20 	hunting regardless of whether the person is issued a firearms safety certificate.
1.21 	(c) A person born after December 31, 1979, may not use a lifetime license to take 
1.22 	wild animals by firearms, unless the person meets the requirements for obtaining an annual 
1.23 	license under paragraph (a) or (b).

2.1 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment 
2.2 	and applies to hunting licenses issued on or after that date.