HB 52: Game and Fish – License Revenue Recoupment
2007 General Session

Sponsor: Joint Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Interim Committee

HB 52 created a license revenue recoupment program, under which the Wyoming Game and Fish Department will be reimbursed from the general fund for license revenue lost as a result of statutorily designated free and reduced priced hunting and fishing licenses.

Over the years, the Wyoming Legislature has passed a number of statutes to reduce or entirely waive the fees charged for hunting and fishing licenses for various recipients, including resident veterans, disabled veterans, active duty military personnel, senior citizens, and youths. They also permitted up to 40 complementary hunting and fishing licenses to be distributed by the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission each year.

HB 52 appropriated $1.1 million from the general fund to reimburse the Game and Fish Department for the revenue lost from these license fee reductions or waivers. The money will be paid to the Department only for this purpose, and only with documentation for the number and type of qualifying licenses that are sold or issued.

The House passed HB 52, 34-25 (1 excused), and the Senate passed the bill, 16-13 (1 excused). The votes listed below are the House and Senate third reading (final passage) votes. A YES vote means the legislator wanted to reimburse the Wyoming Game and Fish Department for revenue lost each year as a result of free or reduced price hunting and fishing licenses. A NO vote means the legislator did not want to provide this funding to the Department.

Engrossed