SB 659

Under current law, this state receives federal funds under the Federal Aid in

Wildlife Restoration Act, commonly known as the Pittman-Robertson Act (federal

act), to assist this state in implementing certain wildlife restoration projects. Under

current law, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is authorized and directed

to perform any acts necessary to establish cooperative wildlife restoration projects

in compliance with the federal act. This bill prohibits DNR from expending any

federal funds received under the federal act unless it first notifies the Joint

Committee on Finance (JCF) in writing of the project or activity for which it proposes

to expend those funds. Under the bill, JCF may schedule a meeting to review DNR's

proposal within a specified period of time. If JCF does not schedule such a meeting

within that time, DNR may expend the funds as proposed. If JCF does schedule a

meeting, then DNR may not expend the funds until the project or activity is approved

by JCF.