MN Senate Puts Game and Fish Fee Hikes on Hold

ST. PAUL (AP) -- A proposal to raise hunting and fishing license fees has been put on hold in the Minnesota Senate.

Republican author Senator Bill Ingebrigtsen tabled the bill after he attempted to add Senate language that includes the fee hikes to a House-passed bill without the increases. His amendment was defeated on 27-39 vote, with lawmakers in both parties split.

Ingebrigtsen says Democratic Sen. Tom Bakk took down the amendment by objecting to its elimination of conservation fishing licenses. Bakk says he sponsored the cheaper conservation license years ago to preserve fish stocks by letting anglers volunteer to take home fewer fish than the usual limits.

Ingebrigtsen would not say when he might bring the bill up again.

The Department of Natural Resources says higher fees are needed to avert budget cuts.