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| Date: | May 7, 2012 | | Contact Name: | Sandra Whalen | | Contact Phone: | 651-296-5238 | | Contact Email: | sandra.whalen@senate.mn | | For Immediate Release | |
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| GAME & FISH BILL SIGNED INTO LAW Senate Chairman says bill is vital to economy |
Senate Environment & Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bill Ingebrigtsen (R-Alexandria) said today that bipartisan efforts by the Legislature and Gov. Mark Dayton in the passage of two environment bills into law is good news for Minnesota’s rebounding economy and vital tourist trade.
“Minnesota is a state that defines itself – and is defined by – the quality of its outdoor recreation,” Ingebrigtsen said. “Fishing contributes $4.7 billion to Minnesota’s economy and more than 43,000 jobs. Hunting in Minnesota has a $1.47 billion economic impact. Minnesotans and those who come to enjoy our resources will appreciate for years to come the actions that this Legislature took to fight invasive species, to fund wildlife habitat, and preserve our great outdoors for future generations.”
Ingebrigtsen said more than 597,000 people hunt in Minnesota each year, spending $482.6 million on lodging, food, gas, and gear — an average of $783 per hunter — and generating $64 million in taxes revenue for the state. They support more than 14,000 Minnesota jobs with combined salaries and wages of $365 million.
The new law also:
• creates the state's first wolf hunting season on the same date as the firearms deer season,
• stabilizes the game & fish fund through and increase in hunting and fishing fees to cover forecasted deficits in the Game & Fish Fund (less than requested by the Governor), and reduce of the cost of youth (16-17 year old) licenses,
• increases walleye stocking, and,
• allows continued electronic purchases of fishing licenses in any future government shutdown.
