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 and 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. 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.
