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Senate diverts funding for wolf reintroduction to health-insurance affordability fund
Summary
Senate Bill 25B-005 was adopted to reallocate funds originally for wolf reintroduction from the Division of Parks and Wildlife to the Health Insurance Affordability Enterprise, pausing state purchases of new wolves this fiscal year while preserving program support for communities.
The Senate adopted Senate Bill 25B-005 on Aug. 21, reallocating funds from the Division of Parks and Wildlife that had been intended for wolf reintroduction and placing those dollars into the Health Insurance Affordability Enterprise to help families purchase coverage on the individual market.
Sponsor Senator Roberts said the amendment and bill pause use of the general fund to procure new wolves in the current fiscal year "and we are gonna save that money and put it into the health insurance affordability enterprise, which helps families and individuals purchase insurance on the individual market." Roberts said the change still allows other parts of the wolf program to continue, including support to ranchers and communities.
Co-sponsor Senator Catlin said the move is intended to slow the program and give nonlethal measures time to catch up with the current population of wolves, arguing the pause helps rural constituents and the program's long-term success. Senator Peltonar and others acknowledged passionate testimony in committee and supported the bill as a modest reallocation that helps health-insurance affordability while allowing private dollars to continue reintroduction work.
The bill passed on second reading and was ordered to third reading and final passage.
Next steps: SB25B-005 advances for final consideration; floor discussion focused on fiscal reprioritization and rural implementation of nonlethal measures.
