HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES

March 13, 2003 Hearing Room HR D

1:00 PM Tape 40

MEMBERS PRESENT: Rep. Jeff Kropf, Chair

Rep. George Gilman, Vice-Chair

Rep. Kelley Wirth, Vice-Chair

Rep. Terry Beyer

Rep. Dave Hunt

Rep. Donna Nelson

Rep. Patti Smith

STAFF PRESENT: Ray Kelly, Committee Administrator

David Peffley, Committee Assistant

MEASURES HEARD: HB 2799 – Public Hearing and Work Session

These minutes are in compliance with Senate and House Rules. Only text enclosed in quotation marks reports a speaker’s exact words. For complete contents, please refer to the tapes.

TAPE/#	Speaker	Comments
TAPE 40, A
004	Chair Kropf	Calls the meeting to order and opens a public hearing on HB 2799
HB 2799 – PUBLIC HEARING
025	Rep. Alan Brown	Testifies in support of HB 2799.
044	Lindsay Ball	Offers a brief history of the evolution of HB 2799. Submits (EXHIBIT A) and testifies in favor of the legislation.
088	Chair Kropf	Asks Ball what the money from fines is dedicated to.
092	Ball	Refers to (EXHIBIT A) in directing the flow of fine money.
108	Al Elkins	Oregon Hunters Association. Submits (EXHIBIT B) and testifies in support of HB 2799 in order to increase the amount of damage which courts may request for unlawful taking of wildlife.
132	Chair Kropf	Asks if the hunting of game animals is a criminal offense.
134	Elkins	Affirms that it is.
135	Sergeant Swede Pearson	Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife. Conducted research on this bill and testifies in favor of HB 2799, in that the increased value provides an effective deterrent.
155	Chair Kropf	Asks how many individuals were fined for related offenses.
159	Pearson	Replies that he doesn’t have the figures.
160	Chair Kropf	Asks Sergeant Pearson could provide those figures to the committee.
163	Elkins	States that there is some concern with the amount of the bobcat fine, but notes that everything else is supported fully.
178	Phil Donavan	Oregon Guides and Packers. Reaffirms prior support for HB 2799.
202	Rod Harder	Oregon United Houndsmen. States that his principals support this legislation as written.
211	Jerod Broadfoot	Safari Club International. Attests that this bill is important for eliminating poachers and affirms support for HB 2799.
220	Chair Kropf	Closes the public hearing on HB 2799 and opens a work session on HB 2799.
The following prepared testimony is submitted for the record without public testimony for HB 2799.
	Jack Buckhorn	Submits written testimony (EXHIBIT C) and (EXHIBIT D).
HB 2799 – WORK SESSION
229	Ray Kelly	Affirms that there is no revenue impact to HB 2799.
237	Rep. Hunt	MOTION: Moves HB 2799 to the floor with a DO PASS recommendation.
239		VOTE: 5-0 EXCUSED: 2 - Nelson, Wirth
240	Chair Kropf	Hearing no objection, declares the motion CARRIED. REP. BROWN will lead discussion on the floor.
241	Chair Kropf	Closes the work session on HB 2799 and adjourns the meeting at 1:39 PM.

EXHIBIT SUMMARY

A – HB 2799, written testimony, Lindsay Ball, 4 pp.

B – HB 2799, written testimony, Al Elkins, 1 p.

C – HB 2416, written testimony, Jack Buckhorn, 4 pp.

D – HB 2416, written testimony, Jack Buckhorn, 3 pp.