Appropriations committee advances bill that trims farmer damage reimbursements, alters fees and penalties for Fish and Wildlife

The House Appropriations Committee on May 6 voted to advance H.230, a bill amending state fish-and-wildlife law that would (1) change fishing-tournament permit fees, (2) authorize a free mentored fishing weekend over Labor Day, (3) reclassify and raise some fines for wildlife violations, and (4) repeal a farmer damage reimbursement program that currently caps payments at $5,000 per year.

The measure drew most attention for its proposed repeal of the department’s reimbursement program for crop and livestock damage caused by deer and black bear. Jim Steffey, manager at the Joint Fiscal Office, told the committee the program reimbursed four farmers over the last three fiscal years and that $207,000 had been paid out over that period. He said one unusually large claim required a one‑time appropriation in fiscal year 2023 or 2024.

"Over the last three fiscal years for which we have complete data, there's been four farmers that were reimbursed under this program," Steffey said. "Two hundred seven thousand dollars has been dispersed by the program over those three fiscal years." He also said the program typically draws from the…