Rep. Frank Henderson, R-Post Falls, said Idaho certainly shouldn't back away from its anti-invasive species efforts, but he asked state Ag Director Celia Gould if her department has considered increasing fees for boat stickers and other programs to allow the efforts to "continue at full speed in these economic times." Gould said this is when she's glad she's no longer a lawmaker; she's the former chair of the House Judiciary Committee. "This is the point in time where I get to say we leave the policy to you folks, and just like to implement," she said. "But obviously, if it's the Legislature's desire that we bring a bill for you consideration to increase those fees to meet the cost of the program, we would be glad to do that. The one thing I can assure you is that program will be run as efficiently as we possibly can manage, so that we're not frittering away those folks' hard-earned dedicated dollars. ... Ultimately we'll take your lead on that one."

When Sen. Jeff Siddoway, R-Terreton, questioned the use of deficiency warrants to draw general funds for the anti-quagga and zebra mussel programs, Gould said that likely will have to continue. "I do not believe we can maintain that program just on the sticker fee," she said. "We don't want to lead you down the path that we can maintain our current operations and get where we want to be with just the boat fee." The deficiency warrants were authorized by the Legislature; they're used only when the Agriculture Director declares an emergency, which she did.

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