Fish and Wildlife Commission takes action pursuant to new law

NOTE: The following is a summary of action taken by the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission at its special called video teleconference meeting on May 12. Official meeting minutes will be reviewed at a future meeting. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources provides this summary to enhance the public’s awareness about potential changes to hunting, fishing, boating or other related regulations.​​

FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 12, 2022) — In a special called video teleconference meeting on Thursday, the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission approved the only action item on the meeting's agenda.

Commission members voted 6-1 to approve the commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources as the chief purchasing officer for the purposes of conducting procurements for the agency (including development and implementation of policies, procedures and practices consistent with all applicable statutes and regulations), as well as to approve the department to perform its own bidding and procurement in accordance with the procedures established by KRS Chapter 45A.

The meeting was livestreamed on the department's YouTube channel, where it is now archived and available for on-demand viewing.

The action taken by the commission on Thursday was related to the recent passage of Senate Bill 217 earlier this year. The bill – now law - allows the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources to conduct all procurements necessary for the performance of its duties upon approval of the commission. Under the bill, the commissioner is required to have the commission approval before acting as the agency's chief purchasing officer.

The commission is a nine-member board, comprised of volunteers who serve four-year terms. Commission members are nominated by hunters and anglers, appointed by the Governor, and confirmed by the Kentucky Senate. The commission recommends hunting, fishing and boating regulations to conserve fish and wildlife and support related outdoor recreation opportunities in the Commonwealth; regulations are then promulgated by the department and vetted by legislative committees.

The next quarterly commission meeting is scheduled June 3. An agenda will be posted at fw.ky.gov when it is available.