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January 22, 2003
Senate OKs poaching restitution bill
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) -- The Senate narrowly approved a bill Tuesday that would funnel restitution from poaching and other wildlife violations back into the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
Senate File 28 was approved 17-13 after debate over the potential for abuse and whether the money should instead continue to be earmarked toward the General Fund, where opponents said it could be used for more things.
Under the bill, an estimated $53,200 in annual restitution would be sent back to Game and Fish to fund a conservation program that leases acreage on private lands for public access.
Sen. Rich Cathcart, D-Carpenter, said he was concerned the change would unnecessarily cast suspicion that the department was profiting from its own wildlife laws.
"I'm concerned about authorizing a law enforcement agency to benefit from fines or, in this case, restitution payments," he said. "I have a problem with that."
Sen. Mike Massie, D-Laramie, said judges and juries, not Game and Fish wardens, determine restitution amounts, and emphasized the money will not be used by department personnel.
"What this money now does is purchase access to more land ... This is the best way to make up for a loss, a loss taken by a poacher," he said.
The Senate also voted 26-4 to approve a bill that would increase compensation for Game and Fish Commission members from $20 to $75 a day for seminars and other meetings.
Sens. Cale Case, R-Lander, and Keith Goodenough, D-Casper, voiced concern over the potential for misuse, but others argued the commissioners, appointed by the Legislature, could be trusted and deserved the raise.
Senate File 10 also received approval on a 27-3 vote. It spells out under what circumstances certain information, such as anti-terrorism plans and details of security systems, could be kept out of the public eye.
Goodenough argued that the bill was too vague and did not adequately identify who was a state custodian of such information.
"Once you give someone power to withhold public information, the tendency is to make more things secret," he said.
In the afternoon, the Senate defeated a measure 18-12 on first reading that would have changed the name of the Law Enforcement Communications Commission to the Public Safety Communications Commission and broadened the group's role.
Some senators were concerned Senate File 18 would force municipalities to become part of a statewide communications network. Others worried it gave the commission too much power.
The Senate did approve Senate File 55 on first reading. The bill would move the Wyoming Emergency Management Agency into the governor's office from the office of Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Ed Boenisch.
"We felt this was a case where emergency management should be under the government and not under the military," Sen. Dick Erb, R-Gillette, said.
In other business, the Senate approved bills that would:
Provide for suspension of certificates and temporary permits issued by the State Mining Council and specify circumstances under which complaints can be suspended without a hearing.
n Give the Game and Fish Commission authority to designate a free fishing day in Wyoming each year.
Senate OKs poaching restitution bill
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) -- The Senate narrowly approved a bill Tuesday that would funnel restitution from poaching and other wildlife violations back into the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
Senate File 28 was approved 17-13 after debate over the potential for abuse and whether the money should instead continue to be earmarked toward the General Fund, where opponents said it could be used for more things.
Under the bill, an estimated $53,200 in annual restitution would be sent back to Game and Fish to fund a conservation program that leases acreage on private lands for public access.
Sen. Rich Cathcart, D-Carpenter, said he was concerned the change would unnecessarily cast suspicion that the department was profiting from its own wildlife laws.
"I'm concerned about authorizing a law enforcement agency to benefit from fines or, in this case, restitution payments," he said. "I have a problem with that."
Sen. Mike Massie, D-Laramie, said judges and juries, not Game and Fish wardens, determine restitution amounts, and emphasized the money will not be used by department personnel.
"What this money now does is purchase access to more land ... This is the best way to make up for a loss, a loss taken by a poacher," he said.
The Senate also voted 26-4 to approve a bill that would increase compensation for Game and Fish Commission members from $20 to $75 a day for seminars and other meetings.
Sens. Cale Case, R-Lander, and Keith Goodenough, D-Casper, voiced concern over the potential for misuse, but others argued the commissioners, appointed by the Legislature, could be trusted and deserved the raise.
Senate File 10 also received approval on a 27-3 vote. It spells out under what circumstances certain information, such as anti-terrorism plans and details of security systems, could be kept out of the public eye.
Goodenough argued that the bill was too vague and did not adequately identify who was a state custodian of such information.
"Once you give someone power to withhold public information, the tendency is to make more things secret," he said.
In the afternoon, the Senate defeated a measure 18-12 on first reading that would have changed the name of the Law Enforcement Communications Commission to the Public Safety Communications Commission and broadened the group's role.
Some senators were concerned Senate File 18 would force municipalities to become part of a statewide communications network. Others worried it gave the commission too much power.
The Senate did approve Senate File 55 on first reading. The bill would move the Wyoming Emergency Management Agency into the governor's office from the office of Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Ed Boenisch.
"We felt this was a case where emergency management should be under the government and not under the military," Sen. Dick Erb, R-Gillette, said.
In other business, the Senate approved bills that would:
Provide for suspension of certificates and temporary permits issued by the State Mining Council and specify circumstances under which complaints can be suspended without a hearing.
n Give the Game and Fish Commission authority to designate a free fishing day in Wyoming each year.
