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Committee concurs on bill to expand livestock-loss program to cover black bears
Summary
The Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation committee voted by voice to concur on House Bill 356, which would expand the state's livestock loss reduction and mitigation program to include black bears; members noted current payouts and budget estimates and expressed confidence program funding should cover likely claims.
The Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation committee voted by voice to concur on House Bill 356, a measure to expand the livestock loss reduction and mitigation program to include black bears.
Committee discussion before the vote focused on program costs and recent payouts. One member said the program appropriation is "about 450,000 annually," and another noted about "251,000" had been paid out so far this year. A separate comment estimated that losses this year were "about a 150, I think, thousand," and members said payments have been down for unclear reasons.
Members also observed that black-bear losses tend to affect sheep more often than cattle, which would lower average reimbursement costs because sheep claims are cheaper than cattle claims. Proxies for absent senators were recorded and reported as voting yes by proxy. The motion to concur was moved and the chair called a voice vote; the chair announced, "Motion carries."
The committee did not take additional votes on amendments to House Bill 119 during this session; instead members transitioned to a detailed review of amendment packets for that bill. The next procedural step for HB356 is whatever floor scheduling follows the committee’s concurrence (not specified in the meeting record).
