Wildlife and Fisheries faces conservation‑fund collapse; agency seeks general funds while cutting federal grant authority

The Senate Committee on Finance received the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries's FY26 budget overview and an agency briefing on revenue shortfalls and program adjustments on May 21. Mark Borns of Senate Fiscal Services presented funding trends; Acting Secretary Tyler Bosworth and Undersecretary Bridal Buckland answered legislators' questions.

Borns told the committee the department's FY26 recommended total is roughly $199.4 million with 786 TO positions. He said statutory dedications provide about 39% of the department's financing and federal funds about 25%. Borns warned the conservation fund 'is experiencing a revenue shortfall': "Within the last 10 years, royalties on land have decreased by 77.7%. Mineral revenue decreased by 51% over the past 10 years." He said the conservation fund balance that had supported operations is now depleted.

Acting Secretary Bosworth described steps the department has taken to restructure divisions, improve enforcement pay to aid retention, and leverage partnerships such as a $12 million cooperative endeavor agreement with the Coastal Conservation Association for reef expansion. He noted program successes including a new black bear lottery and expanded red snapper season management.

Undersecretary Bridal Buckland explained why federal grant authority declined in the FY26 recommendation: many fisheries disaster and other federal grants that inflated recent budgets have ended. "We're just right sizing the budget with the federal programs that we currently have," she said, adding the reductions do not reflect cuts to the department's table of organization but to pass‑through grant authority.

Lawmakers pressed agency officials on the conservation fund shortfall. Bosworth described revenue trends: royalties on department lands have fallen from roughly $66 million in earlier years to a projected $9–11 million; the department is seeking alternatives. Bosworth said the agency will request $40 million in state general funds in the FY26 omnibus to restore operating stability: "That's gonna be until either until we find either recovered revenue. I mean, we're—I'm hoping 5 years." He and others said the $40 million was intended as a multiyear bridge while royalty and other revenues are rebuilt.

Senators also questioned equipment and capital needs. Bosworth and staff detailed large one‑time capital requests for acquisitions and major repairs for Office of Management and campus equipment; the department described leasing some heavy equipment to reduce federal match constraints.

Committee members asked about the effect of pending coastal lawsuits on industry interest and long‑term royalties; agency officials agreed continued litigation and lower production have reduced mineral receipts and constrained the conservation fund.

Bosworth said the department will continue to pursue federal grant opportunities (USDA/NRCS, CWD surveillance) and other revenue sources but warned operations will remain at risk until royalties or alternative recurring revenues recover.

The agency and committee agreed to continue follow‑up on the proposed general‑fund request and equipment lists.