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Panel weighs repeal of Fish and Wildlife fee‑setting authority amid access concerns
Summary
Legislative counsel told the committee the miscellaneous tax bill would remove the commissioner of Fish and Wildlife’s delegated authority to set fees for use of lands, roads and facilities; environmental advocates urged transparency and warned fees could restrict public access. The department will report back with recommended fees in January 2027.
Legislative counsel Michael Grady told the House Ways & Means subcommittee on Wednesday that section 23 of the miscellaneous tax bill would remove the commissioner of Fish and Wildlife’s delegated authority to adopt rules setting fees for use of lands, roads, buildings and tuition for Green Mountain conservation camps. "It amends the commissioner's general duties, to strike the commissioner's authority to adopt and publish rules" for those fees, Grady said, and the bill as drafted would repeal the department rule that implements that authority.
The change would return fee‑setting to the state’s general fee statute in title 32, Grady said, meaning future fees…
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