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Committee advances bill limiting nonresident waterfowl hunting and raising habitat stamp fees
Summary
The Senate Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources voted to pass Senate Bill 213 favorably, a bill that would restrict nonresident migratory waterfowl hunting on certain federal lands to specific days and raise migratory waterfowl habitat stamp maximum fees for residents and nonresidents.
The Senate Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources voted to pass Senate Bill 213 favorably after a brief discussion of its hunting restrictions and fee changes.
Revisor Lawrence summarized the bill for the committee, saying it would "prohibit non residents from hunting migratory waterfowl during the hunting season except on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays." The prohibition applies on certain federal lands and waters listed in the bill and would not apply to other areas listed in the bill. Lawrence also confirmed the bill would change the migratory waterfowl habitat stamp statutory maximums: the resident maximum would increase from $8 to $20 and the nonresident maximum would increase to $100; the bill would also eliminate mussel fishing license fees.
Senator Fagg, identifying himself as a longtime duck hunter, said he was concerned the day restrictions might discourage nonresident hunters and reduce economic activity tied to tourism at places like Cheyenne Bottoms. "On that," he said, "I like part of it and I dislike part of it. So I, you know, it'd be 1 of those kind of things that, I'd probably lean towards a no on this at this point." Senator Titus said she found proponents' testimony compelling and said the bill "strikes a reasonable balance" between protecting the resource for Kansans and allowing commercial activity. Senator Bowser said she would support the bill and noted she had paid an out-of-state hunting fee recently for a private hunt.
Senator Francisco, noting the wildlife commission had solicited public input, said proponents had worked with the wildlife commission and supported the legislative change. After discussion, Senator Francisco moved that the committee pass SB 213 favorably; Senator Titus seconded. The chair called for the voice vote and announced the motion carried.
With the committee's favorable recommendation, SB 213 will advance in the legislative process. The bill text includes the list of federal lands and waters to which the nonresident restriction would apply and the statute-specific changes to the migratory waterfowl habitat stamp maximums.
