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Game and Fish budget matches LFC; committee approves with note on future fee considerations
Summary
The Department of Game and Fish and analysts reported close alignment between the executive and Legislative Finance Committee recommendations, differing mostly in accounting treatment of legacy/grow‑fund conservation appropriations; the committee adopted the LFC recommendation.
The Department of Game and Fish presented to the Appropriations & Finance Committee; DFA and LFC analysts reported their FY26 recommendations align closely and differ mainly on where to source a large, nonrecurring conservation appropriation (general fund vs. the Grow Fund/legacy fund). The committee adopted the LFC recommendation.
DFA analyst Monica Tapia summarized totals and line‑item comparisons across sales operations, conservation services and program support. LFC analyst Helen Goswa said the two recommendations total roughly $54.5 million and that most line‑item differences were minor accounting adjustments. The main policy choice was whether to place a $10 million conservation appropriation in the general fund (executive) as a one‑time appropriation or use the Grow Fund and phase it in over three years (LFC).
Director Michael Sloan described the department as an enterprise agency that relies on hunting and fishing license sales. He noted fees have been unchanged since about 2006 and that the agency is cost‑conscious; he told the committee legacy fund dollars help bridge gaps but the department may need fee adjustments in the near term. The analysts and director also described a matched $1 million appropriation for bighorn sheep conservation in both recommendations.
Committee members asked about proposed increases to certain fees (committee members referenced proposed traveler fee changes in separate legislation). Sloan said fee proposals referenced in other bills were not the department’s direct request in this hearing and that conversations on fee bills remain ongoing.
Vice Chair Sarnana moved and Ranking Member Chatfield seconded adoption of the LFC recommendation; the committee recorded no objections and adopted the recommendation.
