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Fish and Game officials tell joint committee dedicated funds, nonresident tag draw sustain agency amid rising costs
Summary
Department of Fish and Game leaders told the joint Senate Finance and House Appropriations committee that the agency operates on dedicated and federal funds, reported a successful shift to a nonresident tag draw, and said depredation claim payouts have outpaced current spending authority and may require program 'rightsizing.'
Janet Jessup, a budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, told the joint Senate Finance and House Appropriations Committee that the Department of Fish and Game receives no general fund support and is primarily funded by licenses, tags and federal grants.
"The department does not receive any general funds," Jessup said, noting the department's Fish and Game Fund and Set‑Aside Fund include fees earmarked by Idaho code for specific uses.
Jim Fredericks, director of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, said the agency operates 19 hatcheries, manages 31 wildlife management areas and relies heavily on nonresident license sales. "Of the revenue that comes from licenses and tag sales, approximately 60% comes from nonresidents and 40% from residents," Fredericks said, adding the shift…
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