SB 23-255

Senate Bill 23-255, also known as the Wolf Depredation Compensation Fund, provides financial support to farmers and landowners who lose livestock or working animals due to wolf attacks. The bill allocates $175,000 for the first year and increases this amount to $350,000 in subsequent years from the state's general fund. Any leftover money after compensating affected individuals will be used to support a gray wolf restoration plan. This bill was signed into law on May 23, 2023, and is now effective.

Official Summary

The act creates the wolf depredation compensation fund (fund) to compensate landowners and agricultural producers for wolf depredation of livestock and working animals. For the 2023-24 state fiscal year, the state treasurer is directed to transfer $175,000 from the general fund to the fund, and for 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 used to implement the gray wolf restoration and management plan (plan). At the end of subsequent state fiscal years, any unencumbered balance in the fund that exceeds 120% of the amount spent from the fund in the previous state fiscal year is used to implement the plan. The parks and wildlife commission may adopt rules establishing criteria for compensation, including criteria for indirect livestock loss. Each year, the director of the division of parks and wildlife will submit a report at the appropriate "SMART Act" hearing. To implement the act, $175,000 is appropriated from the fund to the department of natural resources for use by the division of parks and wildlife. APPROVED by Governor May 23, 2023 EFFECTIVE May 23, 2023 (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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