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Post by hatchetjack on Feb 21, 2022 22:16:03 GMT -5
Welcome to the Monday Fire Drill. I just received intel that Representatives Randy Frye (District 67) and Tim Wesco (District 21) are working on a floor amendment to the DNR agency bill that would roll-back the recently approved license fee package that we all worked with the Natural Resources Commission to get approved last Fall (Support letter attached). This amendment could be offered as soon as this Wednesday. This is just another attack on an already battered fish and wildlife agency that has been operating at minimal capacity due to funding challenges. If the legislature is successful at undoing the work of the NRC, it would set a dangerous precedent that none of us want to see. It is imperative that all of us make contact with these legislators and activate our respective networks to do likewise and let them know that the license fee package is supported and is necessary to ensure the agency has the resources it needs to deliver good customer service as well as carry-out all of their obligated responsibilities to manage our public trust resources. Without adequate license fee revenue Indiana will lose its ability to capture the record-high levels of Pittman-Robertson dollars made available to the states via the federal excise tax collected on guns and ammunition. These are dollars that hardworking Hoosiers deserve to have come back to the state, but that only happens if the state can put-up the statutory match requirement.
Rep. Randy Frye
h67@iga.in.gov
(317) 234-9450
Rep. Tim Wesco
h21@iga.in.gov
(317) 232-9753
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Post by greghopper on Feb 22, 2022 4:09:53 GMT -5
This is not good for the DNR…. But it doesn’t surprise me we done went down this slop with some other issues! HPR was the latest I do believe…..
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Post by firstwd on Feb 22, 2022 16:28:50 GMT -5
When did PR funds have a dollar amount attached to them? The only requirement I know of is the license must be sold for more than it costs to produce it. PR money is based in the number of hunters per capita, not total dollar amount of those licenses.
What we need to do, instead of such a massive jump in prices, is set up an increase schedule over several years. What we also need to do is demand the legislature fully fund the DNR instead of the mess we current have.
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Post by hatchetjack on Feb 25, 2022 16:30:39 GMT -5
It appears that an amendment (Amendment 4) was passed by House yesterday. I've read it twice but it seems to call for another meeting to discuss fee increases. Maybe someone else can interpret what's up. iga.in.gov/documents/e2e542deSec. 16. (a) Before December 1, 2022, the division shall meet to discuss with representatives of fishing organizations, hunting organizations, trapping organizations, conservation organizations, and license holders, concerning: (1) funding sources and sustainable funding levels for the division; (2) the creation of or increases in license and permit fees for the division, including fees for nonlicense holders who use division services or properties; (3) private and public lands access; and (4) investment and management costs; and submit recommendations regarding the topics set forth in subdivisions (1) through (4) to the general assembly in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6. (b) The department shall notify the members of the general assembly of a meeting of the division and the representatives set forth in subsection (a) seven (7) days before the meeting. (c) This section expires July 1, 2023. ". |
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Post by greghopper on Feb 25, 2022 16:44:19 GMT -5
It doesn’t say the increases DNR has put forward won’t go in effect this year.
Sounds like meetings to discuss how and why the increases with ALL stakeholders.
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Post by hatchetjack on Feb 25, 2022 17:02:12 GMT -5
Crider says the bill will likely go to conference committee.
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Post by firstwd on Feb 25, 2022 19:09:47 GMT -5
All that says is they want to require the division to hold public meetings about the fees and funding sources.
Basically they want to parade the DNR leaders in front of the public to take a tongue lashing for something they neither did nor have control over. What SHOULD happen is the entirety of the NRC AND the budget committee from the house and senate needs to hold these public meetings and answer to the public WHY our DNR has been, is, and continues to be so woefully under funded.
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Post by hatchetjack on Mar 1, 2022 20:57:42 GMT -5
3/1/2020
Returned to the Senate with amendments
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Post by hatchetjack on Mar 2, 2022 9:05:38 GMT -5
Lengthy phone call with Fish & Wildlife. They welcome any meeting that might lead to increased funding for DNR. I am still leery of legislative involvement in license fees for the agency. That said I'll be watching them at this meeting as we all should.
Hatchet Jack
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Post by hatchetjack on Mar 2, 2022 23:43:33 GMT -5
Rep. Eberhardt may kill this bill/amendment or Sen. Crider.
HJ
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