Senate committee recommends Joshua Kellum for Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission amid criticism over bear hunt vote and development ties

At a meeting of the Florida Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee, senators voted to recommend the confirmation of Joshua Kellum as a commissioner of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission following a lengthy confirmation hearing that included public opposition and support.

The recommendation matters because Kellum will join a seven-member commission that sets policy for the state agency that manages Florida’s wildlife, fisheries and public lands, and several senators and public witnesses raised concerns that developers are overrepresented on the commission and questioned recent FWC actions including a newly authorized black bear hunt.

Kellum, introduced to the committee as the president of Garcia Companies, described his professional background as a mix of agriculture, materials and real estate and said he considers himself “a conservationist, at heart.” He told senators that his company focuses on attainable housing and open-space stewardship and said he favors bringing agency staff and stakeholders into planning discussions early in project development to avoid harm to natural resources.

Kellum answered detailed questions about why he voted in favor of the commission’s recent approval of a regulated black bear hunt. “Staff’s recommendation was to move forward,” Kellum said, explaining he deferred to FWC staff scientists who recommended the hunt and said the state’s black bear population had grown and required management. He also said the commission’s approach should be considered the start of a longer-term management program.

Several senators pressed Kellum about means and methods the commission approved in the bear-hunt package, including baiting, use of dogs and archery. Kellum said those methods have “pros and cons” and that, in his view, staff work and scientific input justified his vote. He acknowledged the vote followed his appointment and said he would continue to engage in further discussions about the program’s structure.

Senators also questioned Kellum about his role with the Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida and the foundation’s $250,000 contribution to a campaign supporting Amendment 2 (the “Yes on 2” campaign). Kellum said he was vice chair of the foundation but not a commissioner when he chaired the campaign; he said he abstained from the foundation vote and that he believes the foundation’s support aligned with its conservation mission. He noted the ballot initiative passed with about 67% support, as reported during the hearing.

Public commenters opposed and supported Kellum’s confirmation. Witnesses who opposed cited a commission makeup they described as dominated by development interests, recent environmental concerns including manatee mortalities in the Indian River Lagoon and Lake Okeechobee’s water quality, and the bear-hunt approval. Robin Blevins, testifying as a private citizen, said the commission is “terribly underrepresented in terms of biology or conservation” and called the foundation’s funding for Amendment 2 “an inappropriate allocation of funds.”

Ernie Barnett, executive director of the Florida Land Council, testified in support and described Kellum’s operations as primarily agriculture and open space; Barnett said he considers Kellum “a conservationist who might do some development on the side” and praised his stewardship.

After debate, Senator Mayfield moved to recommend Kellum’s confirmation. The committee roll call recorded five votes in favor and two opposed: Senator Avila — yes; Senator Harrell — yes; Senator Polsky — yes; Vice Chair Mayfield — yes; Chair Rodriguez — yes; Senator Arrington — no; Senator Smith — no. By that vote the committee recommended Kellum’s confirmation favorably to the full Senate.

The hearing also included questions from senators about regional representation on the commission, potential conflicts of interest tied to development projects, and whether the commission has adequate scientific expertise among its members. Kellum said he would recuse himself where conflicts arise and emphasized staff expertise at FWC.

The committee record shows continuing public concern about the bear hunt, the commission’s composition and the use of foundation funds to support ballot initiatives. The committee’s favorable recommendation sends the nomination to the full Senate for final confirmation consideration.

Additional procedural detail: a motion to recommend confirmation was moved by Vice Chair Mayfield and seconded (on the record), followed by a roll-call vote that produced the five-yeas/two-nays result reported above.

Kellum closed his remarks by reiterating his commitment to stewardship and conservation and thanking the committee for the opportunity to appear.