Whereas, this legislation provides certain benefits to homecoming veterans of the Iraq War; and

Whereas, these benefits, such as a free one-year fishing license and free access to state parks would need to begin before the 90- day period ends; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §1819, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 678, §13, is amended by adding after the 3rd paragraph a new paragraph to read:

Any resident veteran of the Iraq War who has served a minimum of 90 days must be, if requested, issued a free pass for one year to state parks.__"Iraq War" means service on active duty on or after March 20, 2003 and before or on the date that the United States Government recognizes as the end of that war period.

Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §11109, sub-§3, ļO is enacted to read:

O.__A license to hunt, for a resident veteran of the Iraq War who has served a minimum of 90 days, is free of charge for one season.__"Iraq War" means service on active duty on or after March 20, 2003 and before or on the date that the United States Government recognizes as the end of that war period.

Sec. 3. 12 MRSA §12501, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 and affected by c. 614, §9, is amended to read:

2. Eligibility. The commissioner may issue the following licenses to the following persons:

A. A resident fishing license to a resident 16 years of age or older; and

B. A nonresident fishing license to a nonresident 12 years of age or older.; and