Bill would authorize commission orders

The Natural Resources Committee heard testimony Feb. 8 on a bill that would increase powers delegated to the state Game and Parks Commission.

LB499, introduced by Bancroft Sen. Lydia Brasch, would establish a new set of administrative procedures under which commission orders could be passed. Currently, the commission cannot hear public testimony on issues — including conservation orders, seasons, open and closed areas and bag limits — and make decisions on those issues during the same hearing.

“This has led participants to become frustrated that the commission seemingly is not listening to their concerns,” she said.

The bill would categorize these issues under new administrative procedures, which would allow the commission to make changes to the orders at the same meeting in response to public input before publishing final orders.

Timothy McCoy, deputy director of the state Game and Parks Commission, testified in support of the bill. He said the bill would increase the commission’s flexibility without eliminating transparency.

“Our intent is not to avoid the public input process,” he said. “We encourage it and it’s incredibly helpful in our decision-making process.”

An additional provision would give the commission the power to close game seasons due to disease epidemics or other extenuating circumstances on an emergency case-by-case basis.

No one testified in opposition to the bill and the committee took no immediate action on it.