AN ACT REQUIRING A STUDY ON HOW TO IMPROVE THE ASSIGNMENT OF CONSERVATION OFFICERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

2025 Regular Session

Summary — HB 7198AN ACT REQUIRING A STUDY ON HOW TO IMPROVE THE ASSIGNMENT OF CONSERVATION OFFICERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE Purpose / IntentHB 7198 directs a legislative study to eval

FILE NO. 415

#conservationofficers #emergencyservicesandpublicprotection #departmentof #energyandenvironmentalprotection #reports #studies

Purpose / Intent

HB 7198 directs a legislative study to evaluate and recommend ways to improve how conservation officers are assigned across the state. The stated intent is to assess current assignment patterns and identify changes to improve coverage, responsiveness and effectiveness of conservation law enforcement.

Key provisions

Requires a formal study focused on the assignment and distribution of conservation officers statewide.

Study subjects (inferred from bill title/subjects): allocation of personnel, geographic coverage, coordination among agencies involved in conservation law enforcement (Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection), and related operational issues.

The bill’s text (not included here) would detail who conducts the study, membership, timeline and reporting requirements; those details should be confirmed in the bill language or committee report.

Who is affected

Conservation officers and their supervisors (state wildlife and natural resource law enforcement personnel).

State agencies involved in conservation enforcement and emergency/public safety (e.g., DEEP, DESPP).

Municipalities, park and forest users, hunters, anglers, landowners, and recreational users who rely on conservation officers for public safety and resource protection.

State budget and staffing planners if the study recommends reallocations or additional resources.

Procedural status and timeline

Introduced: March 6, 2025

Public hearing held: March 11, 2025

Filed with LCO: March 18, 2025

Committee action: Joint Favorable report — March 18, 2025

Referred to Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis: March 26, 2025

Reported out of LCO / Favorable report and placed on House calendar: April 1, 2025

House Calendar number: 276; File No. 415

Potential impacts and next steps

The study may identify coverage gaps, staffing shortfalls, needs for reassignments, technology or equipment investments, and interagency coordination improvements.

Findings could lead to follow-on legislation, departmental policy changes, or budget requests to implement recommendations.

Watch for: the study’s final report, any fiscal notes from OFA, and subsequent bills implementing the study’s recommendations.

Note: The bill text was not provided; this summary is based on the bill title, subject classification and recorded legislative actions. For specifics on study membership, deadlines and reporting requirements, consult the bill language or committee report (House File No. 415).