Subcommittee Looks At Resident License Fee Proposal
A legislative subcommittee’s proposal could phase in a Montana resident
hunting and fishing license fee increase over two years beginning in 2006.
If approved by the Montana Legislature, the proposal from the House Fish,
Wildlife and Parks’ subcommittee would result in the first general increase
for resident hunters and anglers in more than 10 years.
The subcommitte’s proposal can be examined on FWP’s website at
fwp.mt.gov . Click the "Proposed Fee
Increase" link under "Hot Topics." The list of license-fee proposals can
then be found by clicking the "Compare Proposals" button.
An increase in nonresident fishing and hunting fees was approved in 2001 and
helped to delay a resident fee increase by boosting FWP revenues by about $4
million a year. The legislatively approved nonresident-fee increase ensured
funding through 2007, allowing FWP to continue to carry out existing
responsibilities.
Projections show that by 2009, however, FWP license revenue will be $3
million less than needed to fund existing programs. By 2011 the budget
shortfall would grow to $14.5 million.
House Bill 172, requested by FWP, proposes resident fee increases that would
go into effect in 2006. The subcommittee’s counter proposal could boost FWP
revenues by $3.5 million to $4.1 million a year, depending on how the final
proposal is presented, and could provide enough new funding to balance the
budget, maintain the current level of services, and allow for growth to
cover inflation and new responsibilities through 2007 or 2011, officials
said.
The proposal also contains discounts for the purchase of multiple
(sportsman’s) licenses and for licenses for youth, seniors and persons with
disabilities.
The full House Fish, Wildlife and Parks committee will take action on the
proposal on March 8. Comments on the subcommittee’s proposal can be
submitted to FWP at
http://fwp.state.mt.us/publicnotices/notice_763.aspx or to your local
legislator.
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