Wolf Depredation Compensation Fund
SB23-255
LAST ACTION: Sent to the Governor 05/10/2023
Concerning the provision of compensation to people who suffer damages because of gray wolf depredation, and, in connection therewith, making and reducing appropriations.
SESSION: 2023 Regular Session
SUBJECT: Natural Resources & Environment
BILL SUMMARY
The bill creates the wolf depredation compensation fund (fund) to compensate landowners and agricultural producers for depredation of livestock and working animals by wolves. For the 2023-24 state fiscal year, the state treasurer is directed to transfer $175,000 from the general fund to the fund, and for each state fiscal year thereafter, the state treasurer is directed to transfer $350,000 from the general fund to the fund. At the end of the 2023-24 and 2024-25 state fiscal years, any unencumbered balance in the fund that exceeds $100,000 is transferred to the wildlife cash fund used to implement the gray wolf restoration and management plan. At the end of subsequent state fiscal years, the amount transferred to the wildlife cash fund is any unencumbered balance in the fund that exceeds 120% of the amount spent from the fund in the previous state fiscal year.
Each year, the director of the division of parks and wildlife will issue a report and make a presentation at the appropriate "SMART Act" hearing.
The bill reduces by $175,000 the fiscal year 2023-24 general fund appropriation to the department of natural resources for use by the division of parks and wildlife for the reintroduction and management of gray wolves. To implement the act, $175,000 is appropriated from the fund for use by the division of parks and wildlife.
(Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.)
(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)