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Committee reviews Section 19 intent language asking Fish and Wildlife to include walleye propagation in capital requests
Summary
Members of a conference committee reviewed draft bill Section 19, which would state the General Assembly’s intent that the Department of Fish and Wildlife include future capital funding requests for walleye propagation and associated infrastructure in its annual capital budget request.
Members of a conference committee between two institutions committees discussed language in Section 19 of a draft bill that would state the General Assembly’s intent for capital funding requests.
“So it is the intent of the general assembly that the Department of Fish and Wildlife initiate and submit any future requests for capital funding to support the purpose wildlife propagation and any associated infrastructure needs within the annual capital budget request,” said John Bray, counsel, while reviewing the page in the draft.
Committee members said the line is a statement of intent rather than an immediate change to law. One committee participant summarized that distinction: “So this is a statement of intent, and the actual change would happen in the future,” (Speaker 1). Another participant said if the walleye language were removed he would support the bill; a different participant said they would not support the bill as currently configured (Speaker 3).
A committee member praised the existing program referenced in the discussion and urged a unanimous vote if possible, while also thanking staff for their work. The transcript records no formal motion or recorded roll-call vote on Section 19 in the portions provided.
Discussion in the committee focused on whether the intent language should remain and how it would affect future capital budgeting. Participants repeatedly characterized the provision as non-binding intent language that would only guide later requests rather than directly appropriate funds.
The committee did not adopt final language on the record in the provided transcript excerpt; members indicated they would continue reconciling language and numerical edits before concluding the conference committee work.
