Legislator wants Wildlife Fisheries Commission abolished

If a lawmaker from Grant Parish has his druthers this session, the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission will be abolished. Rep. Billy R. Chandler has proposed a constitutional amendment to scrap the panel, which sets hunting and fishing seasons, oversees enforcement and manages biology practices. Chandler, a Democrat from Dry Prong, wants most of the policy-making duties of the commission to revert back to legislative control. The commission’s other functions would be absorbed by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries if lawmakers and voters approve his House Bill 529. In 1975, the commission went from an administrative body to one that drafts policy. Since then, more responsibilities regarding wildlife and fisheries have been stripped from the Legislature and given to the commission, creating some tension along the way. Recently, however, relations between lawmakers and the commission have been civil. Robert Barham, secretary of the department, says it’s unlikely any real cost savings could come from the proposal and there doesn’t seem to be any real support — or political will — to abolish the commission. Barham, a former state senator, also argues that the commission serves as a barrier between biology and politics. “This would be a very unwise decision,” he says. If the Legislature adopts Chandler’s legislation, the proposed constitutional amendment would be submitted to voters on Nov. 2, 2010. And it’s possible that it won’t be the only state government shaker-upper on the ballot. To read the full story, click here. — Jeremy Alford