Appropriations committee reviews Game and Fish budget under House Bill 1017, approves 'okay' on several items

The House Appropriations - Government Operations Division on Wednesday reviewed House Bill 1017, the Game and Fish budget bill, and marked “okay” by consensus on multiple budget line items while discussing insurance premium increases, habitat and grant funding, vehicle and equipment needs, and audit requirements.

The session opened with Chairman Munson calling the committee back to order and Brian Hosek, Administrative Services Division Chief with Game and Fish, presenting the department's budget worksheet and long-sheet adjustments. Hosek told the committee the department had a property revaluation showing about $32,300,000 in property value and an increase of nearly $13,600,000 in replacement value; he said the department requested an additional $34,000 to address increased insurance premiums tied to that revaluation. Hosek also noted pond liners carry a 25-year warranty and described a new landowner–hunter matching tool expected next fall.

Why it matters: committee members repeatedly pressed for clarity on where state, federal and special funds pay for department operations and capital needs. Lawmakers noted the department relies heavily on federal matches for fisheries and wildlife projects, which affects whether the state must add matching funds. Becky from the Office of Management and Budget clarified that some reductions shown in the agency's long sheet reflect expected declines in grant receipts rather than a unilateral cut by the governor's office.

Key discussion points

- CRP and habitat: Hosek provided a handout showing Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acreage peaked at about 3.4 million acres and has declined to roughly 1.2 million acres statewide. Members and staff said the decline appears widespread and that lower CRP participation and cropping decisions have reduced duck and other wildlife habitat in many areas.

- Insurance and deferred maintenance: The department reported updated building valuations and higher premiums under the state fire and tornado program; Hosek said the higher valuations drove an additional premium request of about $34,000. Committee members and staff discussed deferred maintenance and how replacement-cost valuations can sharply raise premiums when agencies are required to insure to higher thresholds.

- Personnel and temporary staff: The department told the committee it has 33 employees currently eligible for retirement and an average years-of-service figure of about 35 years among retirees cited in testimony. The agency requested $205,500 for temporary salaries (seasonal staff and interns) to remain competitive for summer and district positions.

- Motor pool and equipment: Hosek said the department's motor-pool and vehicle costs total roughly $4,000,000 and that about half of that funding is federal or special funds (testimony referenced roughly a 47% federal share). The agency requested about $160,200 for equipment replacement cycles (boats, trailers, motors and related gear) and noted some items carry federal match rates (for example, U.S. Coast Guard reimbursement on enforcement equipment).

- Shooting range grants and other grants: Committee members discussed a shooting-range grant program. The presentation indicated about $600,000 remains available in shooting-range grant funds; the agency explained one previously proposed project did not occur and another was complete, which explains reductions in the long-sheet request. The committee was told shooting-range grants typically require a local match and are open to public ranges.

- Pond liners and pumps: The department described pond-liner replacements done on a rotation and said liners have a 25-year warranty. The department also requested one-time funds for pumps (testimony mentioned a $300,000 line for pumps) tied to hatchery and pond operations.

- Aquatic nuisance species: Lawmakers raised concern about zebra mussels and other aquatic nuisance species. The department said zebra mussels have been confirmed in several water bodies (testimony referenced about five water bodies, mainly in eastern and central counties) and the aquatic nuisance program operating-cost increases were important to address monitoring and prevention.

- Audits: Committee members and staff discussed federal and state audits. The department said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Coast Guard auditors conduct field verifications of equipment and land acquired with federal dollars, and that the state auditor's office also audits agencies on its schedule. OMB and department staff noted audit scopes differ and said they would provide cost and frequency details to the committee.

Committee actions and disposition

Rather than taking roll-call votes, the committee signaled agreement—an "okay" consensus—on multiple line items and optional packages after the presentations and questions. Items the committee accepted by consensus included the base payroll adjustments tied to gubernatorial salary proposals, the restoration of a vacant FTE pool to baseline, funding to cover accrued leave payouts for anticipated retirements, funding for temporary salaries, IT rate increases, motor-pool funding at current estimated levels, selected capital-equipment replacements (boats, motors, trailers), continued shooting-range grant authority, aquatic nuisance program operating increases, and one-time habitat and private-land programs that leverage federal funds. OMB staff explained some reductions were the result of expiring grants or expected declines in incoming federal grant revenue rather than an executive-branch cut.

What’s next

Chairman Munson said the committee will resume consideration next Wednesday afternoon. Department staff and OMB committed to follow up with the committee on detailed breakdowns requested during the hearing, including federal vs. special fund splits for motor-pool mileage, amounts received from license and firearm sales, and state-auditor costs.

Ending note: The committee heard the department for roughly an hour and a quarter, asked for additional documentation on multiple line items, and left the record open for staff to provide fund-source breakdowns and audit-cost details.