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Committee approves bill giving Game & Fish authority to raise resident license fees; roll call 5‑3
Summary
Senate Bill 670 gives the Game and Fish Commission authority to increase resident hunting and fishing license maximums (65% now, plus two subsequent adjustments) with revenue dedicated to infrastructure; the committee approved the bill on a 5‑3 roll call after extensive questioning about funding and program priorities.
The Senate Agriculture, Forestry & Economic Development Committee voted 5‑3 to advance Senate Bill 670, a measure authorizing the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission to raise resident hunting and fishing license maximums by as much as 65% immediately, with additional adjustments of 25% after five years and another 25% after ten years. Sponsor Senator Ronald Caldwell said revenues would be dedicated to infrastructure repairs and improvements at state lakes, dams, hatcheries and wildlife management areas.
Pat Fitts, director of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, told the committee the agency has extensive capital needs — including dam repairs, levee maintenance and damage from increased precipitation — and currently spends roughly $7 million annually on construction and capital equipment. Fitts described specific recent projects (Lake Poinsett, Lake Wilhelmina) and long‑term maintenance backlogs, and said the commission would report semiannually on use of new funds. He estimated the proposed resident license increases would raise about $13 million on the resident side over three moves and set a conservative 10‑year funding target of roughly $250 million to address infrastructure needs.
Senators pressed for fiscal precision and consumer impact. Members asked whether license revenue is already reserved in existing funds, whether the trout stamp or other stamps could be raised under the bill, and how the commission would balance nonresident rates to avoid harming tourism. Director Fitts said qualifying expenditures must be made in Arkansas, the commission could consider parity adjustments for nonresidents, and Ducks Unlimited has pledged grant support.
Opponents argued the proposal increases government scope and expenses; a citizen who testified against the bill urged shrinking the agency instead. After debate the committee recorded a roll‑call vote: Senators Sample, Wallace, Lehi, Stearch and Caldwell voted yes; Senators Beckham, Gilmore and Hill voted no. The bill passed the committee 5‑3.
