Legislation combining the Idaho Fish & Game Department’s proposed “price lock” fee increase and a new $5 surcharge has been introduced and will be up for a hearing Friday in the House Resources Committee, the Idaho Statesman reports. Idaho hasn’t raised its resident hunting and fishing license fees since 2004; key lawmakers have repeatedly blocked fee increase plans. This year, House Resources Chairman Marc Gibbs, R-Grace, refused to introduce the department’s “price lock” proposal until more attention was paid to depredation by wildlife on farmers’ and ranchers’ land and livestock.

The result is the surcharge, which would raise an estimated $2 million a year. Of that, $500,000 would go to increase the amount, now at $1 million, that the department pays landowners to compensate for depredation damage caused by wildlife. Another $500,000 would go to efforts to prevent crop damage from big game herds. And $1 million would be for improving access to private land where willing landowners will allow hunting and fishing.

The price lock proposal is designed to allow those who purchase a license every year to lock in current prices and avoid the increase. The combined legislation is now HB 230; there’s more info here. Statesman reporter Chadd Cripe has a full report here.