Game and fish bill on its way to governor

Posted at 10:14 PM on April 28, 2012 by Tim Pugmire
Filed under: MN Legislature, Mark Dayton

A game and fish bill that raises new revenue for the Department of Natural Resources is on its way to Governor Mark Dayton, who is expected to sign the measure.

The House and Senate gave final approval to the bill tonight. It includes higher fees for hunting fishing and trapping that many outdoor groups say are needed and long overdue. But several lawmakers objected to the fee increases. Rep. Carly Melin, DFL-Hibbing, said she would have otherwise supported the bill.

"We have $10 million of tax increases on Minnesota's hunters and anglers in this bill," Melin said. "You can call it fees, but it's tax increases on Minnesota's hunters and anglers. And we never got the opportunity to vote on this on th House floor. This is something that came from the Senate."

The bill also establishes a new wolf hunting season in Minnesota. The House passed the measure on a 68 to 62 vote. The Senate vote was 27 to 26 34 to 28.

Services

• Hourly Newscast
• HD Radio
• iPhone App / Mobile
• E-mail newsletters
• RSS feeds
• Podcasts
• Submit your photos
• Videos
• Weather
• Most e-mailed stories