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House approves Deer and Elk Management plan bill after extended debate over fiscal and migration issues
Summary
Substitute House Bill 25 requires the Division of Wildlife Resources to prepare herd‑management plans for deer and elk with deadlines (elk plan by 5/1/1994, deer plan by 5/1/1996); the House adopted the substitute, 52–20, after floor debate about fiscal notes and migration considerations.
Representative Lee Allen sponsored Substitute House Bill 25 to require the Division of Wildlife Resources to prepare management plans for deer and elk herds and submit those plans to the Board of Big Game Control. The substitute narrows an initial proposal that covered all big game species and instead focuses on deer and elk, with target dates for plan completion (elk by May 1, 1994; deer by May 1, 1996).
Supporters said the plans create accountability and better long‑term management; they described prior interim committee work and examples from other states (Wyoming, Arizona, Alaska) that use similar planning. Opponents and some members pressed on the fiscal note (floor testimony cited a $400,000 implementation figure) and whether migration patterns and range carrying capacities would be explicitly covered in plans. Sponsor testimony said migration is already part of the planning process and local ad hoc committees would confer with the division.
After extended floor discussion and multiple questions to the sponsor about methods and costs, the House passed the substitute bill, 52–20, and forwarded it to the Senate.
