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Senators spar over funding and footnotes for wolf reintroduction
Summary
Lawmakers argued about cutting general-fund support for wolf reintroduction, redirecting money to rural obstetrical care, and proposed footnotes to restrict general fund use for introducing new wolves; JBC staff clarified which footnotes would be affected.
An exchange over wildlife funding centered on several amendments that would limit the use of general fund dollars for wolf introduction and instead direct dollars to other priorities.
Senator Larry Liston (speaker 8) introduced an amendment removing about $2.2 million from a wolf reintroduction program and repurposing it for obstetrical care in rural areas, summarizing his approach as “putting women over wolves.” Several colleagues asked whether the funds in question are general fund (not enterprise) and whether the amendment would strike a footnote that pauses reintroduction until management plans are in place.
Kelly Shen, JBC staff, explained there are multiple wolf-related footnotes: one that prioritizes conflict minimization and management over new reintroduction would remain unchanged; another footnote limiting permissible general fund uses would be affected by the proposed amendment, and the amendment’s text would direct the department to rely on gifts, grants and statutorily allowable cash sources if new introductions were to proceed.
Senator Mark Catlin proposed adding a footnote explicitly stating the General Assembly’s intent that the general fund be used only for wolf management, not for introducing new wolves; he said he would likely coordinate with Senator Roberts to move a single approach.
