HB 304 Summary

• Appropriates $149,932,500 to the Department of Fish and Game for fiscal year 2024 (July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024) across five programs: Administration, Enforcement, Fisheries, Wildlife, and Communications.

• Authorizes a maximum of 547.00 full-time equivalent positions for the department during the fiscal year, with notification required to the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee for any Governor-authorized increases.

• Reappropriates up to $2,600,000 in unexpended Fish and Game Fund balances and $210,000 in unexpended Federal Fund balances from fiscal year 2023 to address maintenance backlog.

• Directs the Idaho Fish and Game Commission to acquire 40-60 acres of Kootenai County-owned land adjacent to Coeur d'Alene Airport for continued use as a skeet and trap shooting range, using up to $5,000,000 in Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act federal funds plus required non-federal matching funds.

• Requires the Department of Fish and Game to report on property acquisition actions by December 10, 2023, and mandates accountability reports for all appropriated funds in accordance with Idaho Code.