Why It Matters: Legislation to ensure Kansas’ state fish and wildlife agency is reimbursed for revenue that is lost from free and discounted licenses was heard in the House Committee on Appropriations. A legislative priority for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), reimbursing state fish and wildlife agencies for lost revenue ensures that they continue their conservation efforts. Some state agencies rely solely on sportsmen and sportswomen-generated dollars for their fish and wildlife programs.
Highlights:
- The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation provided testimony on a legislative priority bill that was heard in Kansas.
- Kansas House Bill 2543 (HB 2543) would reimburse the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) for lost revenue from the legislature’s future issuance of any free or discounted hunting and fishing licenses.
- The bill’s sponsor, Representative Will Carpenter, serves as Co-Chair of the Kansas Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus.
CSF has been proactive in the Great Plains Region, encouraging states to introduce legislation that protects critical conservation funding, like Kansas House Bill 2543. This piece of legislation, if passed, would ensure the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) can continue its conservation efforts, which rely solely on sportsmen and sportswomen-generated dollars.
Thanks to Kansas Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chair Representative Will Carpenter, the bill’s sponsor, HB 2543 was heard on March 11. CSF submitted testimony in support of the bill to the House Committee on Appropriations, highlighting how this legislation would protect KDWP from losing critical conservation funding from free and discounted licenses. HB 2543 upholds the “user pays – public benefits” structure of the American System of Conservation Funding. KDWP relies solely on revenue generated through sportsmen and women for their conservation efforts, which benefit all Kansans. HB 2543 not only ensures that KDWP is reimbursed for lost revenue due to free or discounted licenses but also ensures they are able to collect their share of federal apportionments. in support of the bill to the House Committee on Appropriations, highlighting how this legislation would protect KDWP from losing critical conservation funding from free and discounted licenses. HB 2543 upholds the “user pays – public benefits” structure of the American System of Conservation Funding. KDWP relies solely on revenue generated through sportsmen and women for their conservation efforts, which benefit all Kansans. HB 2543 not only ensures that KDWP is reimbursed for lost revenue due to free or discounted licenses but also ensures they are able to collect their share of federal apportionments.
After the hearing, HB 2543 remains in the House Appropriations Committee where it will wait for the Committees to vote on it at a later hearing. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation will continue to promote and engage on legislation that ensures state fish and wildlife agencies are reimbursed for lost revenue from the issuance of free or discounted hunting and fishing licenses.
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