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House passes measure moving commercial aquaculture duties toward Department of Agriculture after amendment
Summary
The House voted to pass House Bill 262 (47‑23), a package of amendments that shifts licensing, registration and certain aquaculture health functions from the Division of Wildlife Resources to the Department of Agriculture while retaining species control with DWR and creating a joint fish‑health board.
Representative Bodley moved to uncircle and amend House Bill 262, describing months of work and recent meetings with the Department of Agriculture, the Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) and sportsmen’s groups to address objections. “It is a simple bill,” Bodley said, urging colleagues to review the pink‑sheet amendments circulated at members’ desks.
The bill transfers a range of commercial aquaculture responsibilities — licensing, registration and facility certification — to the Department of Agriculture while maintaining DWR authority over species allowed in the state. Bodley said the measure establishes a fish‑health board with representatives from Agriculture, the state veterinarian and the Division of Wildlife Resources and creates an aquaculture advisory board composed of industry, agency and sporting interests. The sponsor noted a fiscal note covering new staffing (a pathologist, a technician and supporting staff) and said some DWR staff could transfer to Agriculture to provide continuity.
Opponents pressed disease‑control and import concerns. “I’m very uncomfortable with this bill,” Representative Rushton said, citing gaps in guarantees that agricultural regulations would prevent importation of exotic fish and warning that the change could weaken disease control, water‑pollution oversight and import protections. Representative Eubank likewise warned that the bill “does not address disease control in a way that really protects the fishing industry,” noting anglers’ concerns and the industry’s local economic scale.
Supporters called the measure a negotiated compromise. Representative Brad Johnson and others said the amendments grew from months of negotiation and withdrew some sportsmen’s objections. Sponsor Bodley and proponents said the fiscal note primarily covers staffing and that many laboratory services will be transitioning, making state capacity urgent.
After debate the House closed discussion and the reading clerk announced the result: House Bill 262 received 47 affirmative and 23 negative votes and passed the House; it will be referred to the Senate for further consideration.
