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Committee backs bill to let Game and Fish run job‑shadow and outreach programs
Summary
HB1174 would authorize the Game and Fish Department to create educational and job‑shadow programs to recruit high school students into fisheries and wildlife careers. The committee voted a do‑pass recommendation after agency testimony showing seasonal hiring declines.
BISMARCK — House Bill 1174, which would give the North Dakota Game and Fish Department explicit authority to run job‑shadow and educational outreach programs for high school students, won a do‑pass recommendation from the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
Representative Don Longmeir introduced the bill as a non‑fiscal measure to allow the department to develop programs exposing students to fisheries and wildlife work. Bill Haws, assistant wildlife division chief, told the committee seasonal hiring has fallen and that roughly 68% of current biologists and wardens began as seasonal employees; he said the department hopes job‑shadow experiences will steer more students toward natural‑resource careers.
Members asked how the department would recruit and run the program; Haws described outreach to colleges, high‑school counselors and existing CTE programs, and said the department had coordinated with risk management on statutory authority. Representative Dockter and others praised similar explorer‑style programs run by other state agencies and urged broad adoption.
Representative Dockter moved the do‑pass recommendation and the clerk recorded a roll call; the motion carried and HB1174 was recommended to move forward.
