Williams Calls for Credits on DEP License Increase

HARTFORD — Connecticut residents who bought hunting and fishing licenses before the legislature voted to reduce the prices should receive credits, Rep. Sean Williams said.

Lawmakers recently approved a reduction to the costs of fishing and hunting licenses in their effort to eliminate this fiscal year-s budget deficit. The Democrat-led legislature increased the fees during last year’s budget-balancing act—a measure Williams opposed.

While the reduction in fees is welcome news for Connecticut sportsmen, many find little reason to celebrate because they already bought their licenses at the old, higher rate.

Williams said his office received many telephone calls from people demanding refunds.

“Hunting and fishing is an expensive-enough endeavor without the cost of a state-issued license, which is why I voted against the increase last year,” Williams said. “Ending this year’s deficit budget recently was the correct move, but residents, rightly so, are fed-up with the yo-yo game. Unless we can promise the people who paid the higher fee bigger fish or bigger deer, we’ve got an imbalance we need to fix. It’s an issue of fairness.”

Williams, who represents Watertown and Woodbury, said he’ll support a proposal to dole out credits to residents. State senators have approved legislation that would see the state’s Department of Environmental Protection apply the difference in cost when people who bought more expensive licenses this year buy their licenses next year.

The legislative session ends May 5.