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Subcommittee declines governors $500,000 general-fund swap for non-wildlife law enforcement; requires annual reporting, approves boating safety transfer
Summary
The subcommittee voted unanimously not to approve replacing sportsman's revenue with $500,000 in general fund for non-wildlife law enforcement activities, and instead required annual status reports; it separately approved transferring the boating safety education program to conservation education.
The joint subcommittee on Public Safety, Natural Resources and Transportation on March 20 declined the governor's recommendation to add $500,000 in general fund appropriations in each year of the 2025-2027 biennium to replace transfers of sportsman's revenue that support non-wildlife law enforcement activities. The subcommittee instead unanimously recommended issuing a letter of intent requiring the Department of Wildlife to provide annual status reports to the Interim Finance Committee tracking non-wildlife activities and progress on reimbursement policies.
Nicolette Johnston, LCB fiscal analyst, told members the governor recommended $547,411 in general fund appropriations per year (inclusive of base amounts) to support non-wildlife ordinance operations in the Law Enforcement Division. The department told fiscal staff that game wardens often serve as first responders in remote areas to search-and-rescue events, motor vehicle accidents and other public safety incidents, and that use of sportsman's revenue for non-wildlife activities "may be considered a diversion of funds which could jeopardize Federal grant" funding. Fiscal staff requested more details on the scope of non-wildlife activities and said the department does not currently track reimbursement consistently unless an MOU exists.
Senator Titus opposed the proposed $500,000 general-fund replacement, saying the department should develop billing and reimbursement practices and produce more information before converting the funding source. "I do not support this $500,000 transfer from the general fund," Titus said. Chair Watts and other members supported a motion to recommend not approving the governor's recommendation but to require annual status reports to the Interim Finance Committee within 45 days of fiscal year end for FY2026 and FY2027 describing time tracking and progress toward reimbursement policies. The motion was moved by Chair Watts and seconded by Senator Wynne; the motion carried unanimously.
Fiscal staff suggested the department could seek additional funding later via the Interim Finance Committee contingency account if federal funding were at risk of reversion. Chair Watts urged the agency to develop processes to bill for non-wildlife services where appropriate.
Separately, the subcommittee approved transferring the Boating Safety Education Program from the Law Enforcement Division to the Conservation Education Division, along with funding of $921,232 over the 2025-2027 biennium and two existing positions (a staff conservation educator and a conservation educator 3). Fiscal staff and the agency said the conservation education division is better suited to administer boating safety education given its public-education focus; the motion to close the item as read by staff was moved by Chair Watts, seconded by Senator Wynne, and carried unanimously.
The subcommittee also closed related technical adjustments contingent on the approved decision units and authorized fiscal staff to make necessary technical adjustments by unanimous consent.
Those decisions leave the department required to produce annual reports on non-wildlife law enforcement time and reimbursement policy progress and implement the boating safety program transfer if the legislature adopts the subcommittee recommendations.
