A Republican-backed Senate bill would take authority of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources from Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear and put it under Republican Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell. 

Senate Bill 3 sponsored by Sen. Jason Howell, R-Murray, which passed out of committee Tuesday, is a priority bill for Senate Republicans.

The bill would move the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources from the tourism cabinet, overseen by Beshear, and attach it to the agriculture department overseen by Shell. 

Proponents say the bill would limit political games being played with the commission. Opponents called it an unconstitutional power grab that diminishes the interests of sportsmen in favor of the farming community.

Sportsmen who spoke against the bill argued that the mission of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture was diametrically opposed to sportsmen because farmers would want to limit wildlife for the benefit of their crops. 

The biggest change would be over appointment power to the board. As of now, licensed hunters and anglers from nine districts across the state nominate up to five people, then one is appointed by the governor.  Under Senate Bill 3, the ag commissioner would appoint the members. 

Unlike most other state agencies,Fish and Wildlife is essentially self-sustaining and operates mostly on revenue from fees it collects. 

No representative from either the Tourism, Arts & Heritage Cabinet or the Kentucky Department of Agriculture spoke at the committee hearing.