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House advances bill to replenish wolf and elk depredation funds after rising claims
Summary
House File 601 would appropriate funds to compensate farmers and landowners for crop, fence and livestock losses from wolves and elk; sponsors said the depredation account has been depleted and raised questions about available verifying staff and claim adjusters.
House File 601, relating to agriculture, was considered on April 7 and amended on the floor before passage. The bill would provide compensation for farmers for crop or fence damage from elk and for livestock destroyed or crippled by wolves; sponsors said the depredation account for 2025 had been depleted.
Representative Burkel, the bill—s author, said the Minnesota Department of Agriculture—s wolf depredation program compensates livestock owners based on fair market value determined in consultation with extension agents, DNR conservation officers or other authorized agents. The elk depredation program likewise allows the department to compensate landowners for crop or fence damage after an assessment.
Representative Burkel offered and explained an amendment (A3) clarifying language that the damage must be caused by "a wolf" or "an elk," which the House adopted by voice vote after Rep. Hansen said he supported the amendment. The amendment vote was recorded by voice (ayes and nays) and motion prevailed.
On the floor Rep. Hansen asked whether U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) staff who had previously performed reimbursements and assessments remained employed; Burkel replied that APHIS had rehired those staff. On verifying elk depredation claims, Burkel said that some validating positions were lost in recent years and that insurance adjusters and other adjusters have been used to verify claims.
Burkel said the department—s depredation account had been depleted and cited figures for outstanding claims: roughly $93,000 in outstanding non-wolf claims and $23,000 in wolf claims for the 2025 year-to-date (as presented on the floor). Several representatives spoke in support; the clerk recorded the roll (as provided in the transcript) with 115 ayes; the transcript excerpt does not show a recorded number of nays for that roll call.
The bill includes an appropriation for 2025 to replenish funds used to pay claims under the wolf and elk depredation programs. The amendment and the bill on third reading were adopted on the floor.
