Minn. Senate panel takes up fishing license fees

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Whether to raise fees for hunting and fishing licenses is on the agenda of a Minnesota Senate committee Tuesday.

The Department of Natural Resources is asking lawmakers to raise fees that haven't changed since 2001. DNR officials say the agency's Game and Fish Fund, is projected to go into the red in mid-2013. They say that would require deep cuts to fisheries, wildlife and enforcement programs.

Many sportsmen's and conversation groups say they're more than willing to pay higher license fees. They're holding a news conference at noon to support increases.

The main license fee bill the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee will consider this session is due to be released at 1 p.m., and the panel will take it up at a 3 p.m. hearing. (Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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