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House approves change to wildlife license revocation hearings to speed process
Summary
SB 88 authorizes the Division of Wildlife Resources to appoint hearing officers to conduct license-revocation hearings and expands grounds for revocation; the House approved the bill unanimously, 72–0.
The House considered SB 88 on Feb. 15, 1995, and approved changes to the way the Division of Wildlife Resources handles hunting-license revocations.
Sponsor explained that the bill permits appointed hearing officers to conduct revocation hearings instead of the full wildlife board, reducing board workload and expediting cases. The measure also broadens revocation grounds to include intentionally killing or injuring domestic livestock and shooting at a person while hunting. Critics asked whether the matter should instead be handled by courts to avoid combining investigative and adjudicative roles inside the same department; sponsor replied that hearing officers and the wildlife board have subject-matter expertise and that appeals remain available to the full board (discussion: SEG 1558–1629).
The House voted and passed SB 88 by voice/roll call; the tally was read as 72 yes, 0 no. Supporters said the bill speeds administrative action while preserving appeal rights; opponents’ fairness concerns were discussed but not adopted into law in this session.
Next steps: SB 88 passed this body and will be forwarded per chamber procedure.
