Arkansas lawmakers adjourn session, leaving budget for state hunting, fishing programs in limbo

 Source:politics Views: 【BigSmall】 Time:2024-06-03 17:57:30 Number of comments:

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas lawmakers adjourned this year’s session without approving a budget for the Game and Fish Commission on Thursday, putting the state’s hunting and fishing programs in limbo if the Legislature doesn’t return for a special session by July.

The House voted 62-21 in favor of the agency’s appropriation, which gives it the authority to spend more than $175 million in state and federal funds, falling short of the 75 votes needed to pass the legislation. The Senate approved the bill earlier this month.

The vote creates uncertainty about whether the 636-employee agency that oversees the state’s hunting, fishing and conversation programs will be able to operate when the fiscal year begins July 1. The commission, which issues hunting and fishing licenses, is primarily funded by a 1/8-cent sales tax approved by Arkansas voters in 1996.