Game and fish-funding.

WORKING DRAFT
2007
STATE OF WYOMING
07LSO-0081.E1

HOUSE BILL
NO.
HB0085

Game and fish-funding.

Sponsored by:
Joint Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Interim Committee

A BILL

for

AN ACT relating to game and fish; authorizing funding for certain programs; providing an appropriation; specifying legislative intent; requiring a report; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1.
The legislature finds that a number of programs managed by the game and fish commission are of benefit to the citizens of the state of Wyoming whether or not those citizens hunt and fish. Historically, funding for wildlife conservation has been almost totally dependent on user fees from hunters and anglers. The intent of this act is to provide general funding for programs managed by the game and fish commission that benefit the population in general.

Section 2.

(a)

The game and fish commission shall maintain the programs specified in this section. The programs to be maintained under this act, in such manner as determined to be best by the commission are:

(i)

Sensitive species programs: The programs include management of terrestrial native nongame species, aquatic native nongame species and trophy game conflict resolution;

(ii)

Habitat programs: The programs include aquatic habitat management, habitat extension and terrestrial habitat management;

(iii)

Conservation education programs: The programs include publications and education, excluding hunter education;

(iv)

General programs: The programs include cost allocation which consists of costs that are a result of services provided to the commission by other entities in state government as required by state law and costs for use of the state agency law enforcement communications system;

(v)

Sage grouse conservation: This program includes continued funding for sage grouse planning and protection;

(vi)

Veterinary services programs: This includes continued funding for brucellosis, chronic wasting disease and other disease management.

(b)

No funds appropriated from the general fund for programs under subsection (a) of this section shall be expended for the acquisition of fee simple title in real estate.

Section 3.
There is appropriated from the general fund to an earmarked account within the game and fish fund, two million eight hundred thirty thousand dollars ($2,830,000.00) for the period beginning July 1, 2007 and ending June 30, 2008. The state auditor shall transfer the appropriation in this section to the Wyoming game and fish fund as created by W.S. 23
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501 on the effective date of this act. Funds transferred under this act that remain unencumbered or unobligated as of June 30, 2008 shall revert to the budget reserve account. The commission shall not expend more than fifty percent (50%) of this appropriation on any single program specified in section 2 of this act.

Section 4.
The commission shall report to the joint travel, recreation, wildlife and cultural resources interim committee not later than December 1, 2007 regarding expenditures under this act. The report shall contain a summary of expenditures for programs under this act and identification of additional funding needs in the areas identified under section 2 of this act or other areas the commission deems appropriate as potential areas for general funding.

Section 5.
This act is effective July 1, 2007.

(END)

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HB0085