Carson City urban wildlife advisory committee backs most wildlife bills, opposes two and takes neutrals

The Carson City Urban Wildlife Committee voted unanimously to record positions on multiple Nevada bills after hearing a staff overview and public comment.

Committee members supported AB 59, AB 85, AB 87, AB 132, AB 242, AB 486, SB 101 and SB 215; took a neutral stance on AB 9 and AB 429; and opposed AB 245 and SB 235 (with a conditional comment that SB 235 could be supported if stripped back to a provision allowing transfer of tags to people under age 18). Chair Fleming introduced the motion and a staff member seconded it; the motion passed with all present voting yes.

The action followed an extended staff briefing that summarized the bills’ main provisions and any fiscal notes. Among highlights in the briefing, staff noted an NDOW fiscal estimate of roughly $230,000 for the bill that would add invertebrate species (referred to in discussion as the invertebrates listing and staff fiscal note), and that the proposed wildlife crossing account would be seeded with an initial appropriation discussed in testimony as roughly $5,000,000. Staff also…