House Joint Resolution No. 1

Introduced By kitzenberg

A Joint Resolution of the Senate and the House of Representatives of the state of Montana urging landowners, outfitters, the sporting community, and the public to work together to address common goals to enhance the efficient management of Montana's wildlife resources, including potential reorganization of the fish, wildlife, and parks commission and the department of fish, wildlife, and parks; and requesting that these efforts be coordinated through the office of the Governor.

WHEREAS, the efficient operation of state wildlife agencies is in the best interests of Montana's wildlife resources, Montana landowners, the outfitting industry, the sporting community, and the general public; and

WHEREAS, a goal of government reorganization is the efficiency and responsiveness of public agencies as well as potential cost savings; and

WHEREAS, it is an appropriate aspect of recent government reorganization efforts to examine the powers and duties of the Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Commission and the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks and the role and operation of those governmental entities, with a view toward the most efficient, responsive operation of those entities in the most cost-effective manner.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

That landowners, outfitters, the sporting community, and the general public be strongly urged to work together in a sustained, cooperative, and positive manner to study the role and operation of the Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Commission and the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks and to examine the following issues regarding those governmental entities:

(1) whether the Director of the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks should be hired by and retained at the discretion of the Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Commission rather than appointed by the Governor;

(2) the appropriate number of members on the Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Commission;

(3) whether Commission districts should be reorganized to coincide with Department administrative regions;

(4) appointment of an executive secretary for the Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Commission;

(5) the role, powers, and scope of the Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Commission; and

(6) other issues considered appropriate for the efficient, responsive operation of the Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Commission and the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks in the most cost-effective manner, to the benefit of Montana's wildlife resources.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Office of the Governor be requested to coordinate these issues by establishing an appropriate working group to develop mutually satisfactory solutions and that the working group be representative of all Montana geographic regions and consist of:

(1) one member of the Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Commission;

(2) two representatives of landowners or the agricultural industry;

(3) two representatives of the outfitting industry;

(4) five representatives of Montana sporting groups;

(5) two representatives of state government, including one state senator and one state representative; and

(6) at least one member of the general public.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks be encouraged to provide administrative assistance as necessary to enhance the cooperative effort.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that solutions developed by the working group be reported to the Governor and to future legislatures and that any suggested legislation reflect the mutual interests of landowners, outfitters, and the sporting community, to the benefit of Montana's wildlife resources.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Secretary of State send copies of this resolution to any landowner, agricultural, outfitter, sporting, or other group or organization that is interested or involved in the issues outlined in this resolution, including but not limited to the Montana Stockgrowers Association, Montana Wildlife Federation, Montana Wool Growers Association, Montana Farm Bureau, Montana Outfitters and Guides Association, Montana Audubon Council, Montana Trout Unlimited, Walleyes Unlimited of Montana, Montana Sport Hunting Coalition, Montana Hunters Alliance, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and Montanans for Multiple-Use, for inclusion in their respective newsletters.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that costs directly associated with the working group be appropriated from the budget of the Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Commission.

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