The state Senate today approved Senate Bill 15 (SB 15) that would authorize the Natural Resources Board to appoint the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Under current law, the Governor nominates a DNR Secretary. The State Senate considers the appointment, and the Secretary serves at the pleasure of the Governor.
SB 15 was approved on a 21-12 vote. I voted against the bill for several reasons.
When voters elect a Governor, regardless of party, they make their decision with the belief and confidence their choice should be entrusted with appointing Cabinet members, including the DNR secretary.
Each Governor should be afforded the opportunity to choose the DNR Secretary believed to be the best qualified for the position.
The Governor has earned that right and authority by winning and earning the trust of voters in a statewide election.
An unelected, unaccountable board with regulatory powers should not be choosing the DNR Secretary.
The state is already hampered with having far too many nameless and faceless boards that do not have accountability to the public.
It would be highly inconsistent for a Governor to pick all of his cabinet members save one.
There is also the potential of an awkward scenario of a Governor being saddled with a Secretary chosen by DNR Board members appointed by the previous Governor.
A Governor forms his administration the way he/she deems appropriate. Voters choosing the Governor expect the Governor to be accountable for his administration.
SB 15 now moves to the state Assembly where its fate is uncertain.
In other state Senate action today, the Senate approved the following:
Assembly Bill 130: Under current law, certain hunting licenses and permits are issued by the Department of Natural Resources based on a random or preference selection system. These hunting approvals include Canada goose hunting permits, Class A bear hunting licenses, wild turkey hunting licenses, elk hunting licenses, and special deer hunting permits, other than bonus deer hunting permits.
Assembly Bill 130 requires the Department of Natural Resources to treat a nonresident as a Wisconsin resident for the purpose of issuing a hunting, fishing, and trapping approvals if the nonresident exhibits proof that he or she is a member of the Wisconsin National Guard or a member of a reserve unit of the U.S. Armed Forces if the reserve unit is located in this state.
Also, an amendment to the bill allows the DNR to begin issuing hunting, fishing, and trapping approvals immediately to nonresident members of the Wisconsin National Guard, instead of after a delayed effective date of three months, as provided in the bill.
Assembly Bill 131: Under current law, certain hunting licenses and permits are issued by the Department of Natural Resources based on a random or preference selection system. These hunting approvals include Canada goose hunting permits, Class A bear hunting licenses, wild turkey hunting licenses, elk hunting licenses, and special deer hunting permits, other than bonus deer hunting permits.
This bill allows DNR to issue wild turkey hunting licenses, Canada goose hunting permits, and hunter’s choice and other special deer hunting permits to residents of the state who are in active service in the U.S. armed forces outside the state but who are on furlough or leave within the state.
The bill prohibits DNR from imposing any deadlines or other restrictions on the timing for submitting applications for these hunting approvals or for issuing the approvals. If one of these hunting approvals is issued during the applicable hunting season, the approval must authorize hunting beginning on the date on which the approval is issued.
The Senate approved several Senate Joint Resolutions that recognize February 6 as Ronald Reagan Day in Wisconsin, commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, honor the centennial of the United Parcel Service of America, and honor Kikkoman of Walworth, Wisconsin for its contribution to the cultural and economic vitality of the state.
