(a) In addition to Section 3031, and notwithstanding Section 3037, the department shall issue lifetime hunting licenses under this section. A lifetime hunting license authorizes the taking of birds and mammals anywhere in this state in accordance with the law for purposes other than profit for the life of the person to whom issued unless revoked for a violation of this code or regulations adopted under this code. A lifetime hunting license is not transferable. A lifetime hunting license is valid for one year from July 1 through June 30 and may be renewed annually, regardless of any lapse of the license, at no additional cost to the licensee. A lifetime hunting license does not include any special tags, stamps, or fees.

(b) A lifetime hunting license may be issued to residents of this state, as follows:

(1) To a person 62 years of age or over, upon payment of a base fee of three hundred sixty-five dollars ($365).

(2) To a person 40 years of age or over, and less than 62 years of age, upon payment of a base fee of five hundred forty dollars ($540).

(3) To a person 10 years of age or over, and less than 40 years of age, upon payment of a base fee of six hundred dollars ($600).

(4) To a person less than 10 years of age, upon payment of a base fee of three hundred sixty-five dollars ($365).

(c) Upon payment of a base fee of four hundred forty-five dollars ($445), a person holding a lifetime hunting license shall be issued annually one deer tag application pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 4332 and five wild pig tags pursuant to Section 4654. Lifetime privileges issued pursuant to this subdivision are not transferable.

(d) Upon payment of a base fee of two hundred ten dollars ($210), a person holding a lifetime hunting license shall be entitled annually to the privileges afforded to a person holding a state duck stamp or validation issued pursuant to Section 3700.1 and an upland game bird stamp or validation issued pursuant to Section 3682.1. Lifetime privileges issued pursuant to this subdivision are not transferable.

(e) Nothing in this section requires a person less than 16 years of age to obtain a license to take birds or mammals except as required by law.

(f) Nothing in this section exempts an applicant for a license from meeting other qualifications or requirements otherwise established by law for the privilege of sport hunting.

(g) The base fees specified in this section are applicable commencing January 1, 2004, and shall be adjusted annually thereafter pursuant to Section 713.

(h) The commission shall adjust the amount of the fees specified in subdivisions (b), (c), and (d), as necessary, to fully recover, but not exceed, all reasonable administrative and implementation costs of the department and the commission relating to those licenses.

(Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 26, Sec. 7. (SB 92) Effective June 27, 2017.)