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Committee advances Game and Fish budget; funds habitat, dam repairs and equipment from federal-restoration revenues
Summary
The committee approved HB 1017 for the Game and Fish Department, adding one-time and base funding for habitat, dam repairs, hatchery work, and IT and customer-relations projects funded largely from federal Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson program revenues and department special funds.
The House Appropriations Committee voted to advance House Bill 1017, the Game and Fish Department budget. The department requested no additional general-fund dollars or FTEs; the committee approved a mix of base adjustments, retirement and operating cost increases, and one-time capital and repair projects funded from special and federal program funds.
Testimony emphasized Game and Fish’s reliance on federal Pittman–Robertson Wildlife Restoration and Dingell–Johnson Sport Fish Restoration program funds (historical programs dating to 1937 and 1950, respectively). The amendment included funding for habitat and land programs (including the PLOTS — Private Lands Open To Sportsmen — program), repairs to Bauchle Noonan Dam and Garrison Dam hatchery pond liners, equipment purchases for weed-control operations, replacement of night-site equipment and handgun upgrades, and customer-relations and IT projects. The one-time IT and capital items were described in a breakdown shown to the committee.
Committee members also discussed the department’s land-purchase authority (up to the amount carried in the budget, typically used only for willing sellers and appraised value purchases); representatives said the department may pursue spots across multiple counties but has limited funds and only buys with appraisals. Representative Fisher moved the amendment (25.0161.01002); Representative Bosch seconded. The committee adopted the amendment and advanced HB 1017 as amended.
