The Senate has voted unanimously in favor of HB 230, the Idaho Fish & Game “price lock” fee increase bill, which also includes a new surcharge to fund depredation payments and hunting and fishing access. “Although it may not be perfect, it is a good bill and I will support it,” said Sen. Bert Brackett, R-Rogerson.

Senate Resources Chairman Steve Bair, R-Blackfoot, said, “The price lock will help us to encourage folks to buy a license every year. … This will incent those folks to be annual purchasers, we believe, and in the long run I think that will provide more money to the department.” Those who buy licenses this year and every year thereafter will avoid the 20 percent fee increase for resident hunting and fishing licenses, the first since 2004. The bill now moves to the governor’s desk.