Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

BILL AS INTRODUCED                                                           S.312
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                                        S.312
 Introduced by Committee on Institutions
 Date:
 Subject: Agency of Natural Resources; Salisbury fish hatchery; continued
             operation
 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to provide
 funding to continue operating the Salisbury fish hatchery in fiscal year 2025, to
 declare the General Assembly’s intent that the State’s fish stocking capacity be
 maintained by continuing to operate the Salisbury fish hatchery after 2027 or
 to replace its fish stocking capacity, and to require the Agency of Natural
 Resources to provide annual reports through 2027 on the progress of efforts
 made to continue the operation of the hatchery or to replace its fish stocking
 capacity.
    An act relating to the Salisbury fish hatchery
 It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
 Sec. 1. LEGISLATIVE INTENT; SALISBURY FISH HATCHERY
    It is the intent of the General Assembly that:
         (1) The State shall maintain or increase its current fish stocking
 capacity.
                                                                         VT LEG #375095 v.1
     BILL AS INTRODUCED                                                          S.312
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       (2) To the extent practicable, the Salisbury fish hatchery shall, subject to
 annual appropriations, continue operating through December 31, 2027.
       (3) The Agency of Natural Resources shall examine potential options
 for continuing the operation of the Salisbury fish hatchery after fiscal year
 2027, including maintaining any necessary permits.
       (4) The Agency of Natural Resources shall examine options for
 maintaining or increasing the State’s current fish stocking following the
 potential closure of the Salisbury fish hatchery, including:
          (A) replacing the stocking capacity of the Salisbury fish hatchery
 with increased stocking capacity at one or more State-operated or federally
 operated fish hatcheries;
          (B) transferring fish broodstock from the Salisbury hatchery to other
 State fish hatcheries;
          (C) establishing additional egg production at other State fish
 hatcheries to compensate for any lost egg production; and
          (D) utilizing other innovative or more cost-effective approaches for
 replacing any lost stocking capacity.
       (5) The Agency of Natural Resources shall examine options for limiting
 any negative economic impact from the potential closure of the Salisbury fish
 hatchery, including impacts from reduced fish stocking on fishing and tourism,
 and impacts from the loss of staff positions at the Salisbury fish hatchery.
                                                                        VT LEG #375095 v.1
     BILL AS INTRODUCED                                                          S.312
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       (6) The Salisbury fish hatchery shall not close without prior approval of
 the General Assembly, which shall be provided if:
          (A) the hatchery is unable to secure the necessary permits to continue
 operating after December 31, 2027; or
          (B) the stocking capacity of the hatchery can be replaced in a manner
 that is more cost-effective than the up-front and operating costs of the capital
 improvements necessary for the hatchery to obtain the necessary permits to
 continue operating after December 31, 2027.
 Sec. 2. SALISBURY FISH HATCHERY; ANNUAL REPORT
    On or before January 15 of 2025, 2026, and 2027, the Secretary of Natural
 Resources shall submit a written report to the Senate Committees on
 Institutions and on Natural Resources and Energy and the House Committees
 on Corrections and Institutions and on Environment and Energy regarding
 efforts undertaken and progress made with respect to sustaining the fish
 production and stocking capacity of Vermont’s State-operated fish hatcheries,
 including:
       (1) efforts to maintain permits necessary to continue operating the
 Salisbury fish hatchery after December 31, 2027;
       (2) the potential for transferring the stocking capacity of the Salisbury
 fish hatchery to one or more State-operated or federally operated fish
 hatcheries, including estimated costs;
                                                                        VT LEG #375095 v.1
     BILL AS INTRODUCED                                                             S.312
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          (3) the potential for transferring the fish broodstock of the Salisbury fish
 hatchery to one or more State-operated fish hatcheries for the purpose of
 replacing the Salisbury fish hatchery’s egg production, including estimated
 costs;
          (4) the potential to employ innovative or more cost-effective approaches
 than those identified pursuant to subdivisions (1)–(3) of this section to replace
 any lost stocking capacity due to the closure of the Salisbury fish hatchery,
 including estimated costs; and
          (5) options for limiting negative economic impact of the potential
 closure of the Salisbury fish hatchery after December 31, 2027, including
 impacts from reduced fish stocking on fishing and tourism, and impacts from
 the loss of staff positions at the Salisbury fish hatchery.
 Sec. 3. APPROPRIATION
    In addition to other monies appropriated to the Agency of Natural
 Resources in fiscal year 2025, the amount of $550,000.00 is appropriated from
 the General Fund for purposes of operating the Salisbury fish hatchery during
 fiscal year 2025.
 Sec. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE
    This act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.
                                                                           VT LEG #375095 v.1