HB 1246 Summary

• Amends North Dakota Century Code section 20.1-03-11 to allow landowners and lessees holding at least 150 acres of land to submit applications for free (gratis) hunting licenses for deer, antelope, elk, and moose.

• Changes application language from "apply for" to "submit one application" for gratis licenses, clarifying that only one free license per qualifying land parcel may be issued.

• Permits eligibility transfer of gratis licenses to spouses or legal dependents residing customarily with the applicant, with restrictions on transferability by season.

• Allows family members with gratis licenses to hunt together on land described in qualifying applications within the same hunting unit.

• Directs the Legislative Management to study gratis licensing during the 2019-20 interim, including minimum acreage requirements, moose hunting restrictions, deer license allocation methods, and whether moose eligibility should be annual or lifetime; requires report to the 67th Legislative Assembly.