Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Wildlife Bill Roundup topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee reports multiple wildlife measures on hunting licenses, CWD cleanup and a wild turkey fund
Summary
The committee voted to report a package of wildlife bills: a youth lifetime hunting license, an elder lifetime conservation license, code updates for chronic wasting disease, and language creating a Wild Turkey State Fund; votes were taken by voice and the bills were reported as committee substitutes where noted.
The Senate wildlife committee moved several routine and policy bills forward, approving committee substitutes or reporting bills that range from lifetime hunting licenses to statutory cleanup for chronic wasting disease.
Senate Bill 26 64, introduced to permit people under 18 to purchase a lifetime hunting license for a $500 fee, passed the committee on a title‑sufficient do‑pass recommendation. Separately, a lifetime ‘‘conservation legacy’’ license for residents 65 and older, offered as a voluntary one‑time $250 fee, was reported by the committee.
The committee also considered a technical package of chronic wasting disease (CWD) code updates and a pair of bills consolidating code sections; the chair said these items contain no new regulatory language but bring relevant sections forward. Committee members found the substitutes title sufficient and voted to report the measures.
On game specific language, the committee approved a committee substitute clarifying the destination of certain revenues by establishing a Wild Turkey State Fund so money dedicated to that purpose does not pass through the department’s general fund. Questions from members during the discussion focused on practical effects for hunters, including a brief exchange about hen turkeys and harvest timing.
Actions were taken by voice votes; the transcript records approval and reporting to the next legislative step but does not include roll‑call tallies in the hearing record. Committee leadership said additional meetings may be scheduled to continue work on outstanding items.
The committee adjourned after reporting the bills; members said agency staff would continue to refine language for items that require technical detail.
