Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Conservation Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee approves bill to allow reimbursements to Game and Fish for free-license programs
Summary
House Bill 16-32 would create a reimbursement mechanism for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission when the legislature authorizes free or credited hunting or fishing licenses. Supporters argued it protects the commission's federal match and makes the agency whole; the committee passed the bill.
House Bill 16-32 passed committee after debate about protecting the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's funding and ensuring the agency would be reimbursed if the legislature chooses to authorize free or credited licenses.
Sponsor Representative Wardlaw said the bill creates a mechanism for the legislature to enact credits using a license and to reimburse the commission if future legislation grants free or discounted licenses. He emphasized that the measure does not itself grant free licenses or move money immediately; rather it establishes how reimbursement would operate if a later action required it. "All this does is help protect that going forward," Wardlaw told the committee, adding concern about the agency losing federal matching funds if license values are altered.
Opponents said Game and Fish has substantial existing revenue and questioned adding mechanisms that would move General Revenue to the agency. Representative Crawford said he believed the agency had sufficient funds and questioned using General Revenue to augment the commission. Supporters replied the bill is a fiscal-protection measure: if the legislature votes to give away licenses as an incentive or program, the reimbursing mechanism would prevent the commission from losing federal matches and would make the agency whole.
Committee members described the bill as a tool to allow future legislative incentives without jeopardizing federal funding or the agency's budget formula. Representative Wardlaw moved the bill; after discussion the committee approved the bill on a voice vote. The chair announced the ayes had it and the bill passed the committee.
