http://www.kplctv.com/Global/story.asp?S=12393259
House rejects fee increases for wildlife dept.
Posted: Apr 28, 2010 5:19 PM CDT Wednesday, April 28, 2010 6:19 PM ESTUpdated: Apr 28, 2010 5:21 PM CDT Wednesday, April 28, 2010 6:21 PM EST
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The cost of hunting and fishing licenses and boat registrations will remain the same in Louisiana.
The state House refused to allow the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to boost every fee it charges every two years, up to the annual percentage change in the Consumer Price Index, which tracks the national inflation rate.
Republican Rep. Eddie Lambert, from Gonzales, says he offered the proposal because the department faces growing equipment and fuel costs and doesn't receive state general fund money. He noted the bill would cap increases, so no fee could grow by more than 50 percent.
Opponents argued the increases seemed too large and the bill too sweeping.
The bill failed on a 32-57 vote.
House Bill 879 can be found at
http://www.legis.state.la.us