Environment (Wildlife · Tribal Nations)

This bill establishes a Connecticut Tribal Wildlife and Fisheries Commission to facilitate cooperation between the state and Native American tribes on managing wildlife and fisheries resources. The commission will include representatives from five tribal nations, state agencies, and academic institutions to develop comanagement agreements that integrate tribal ecological knowledge with state conservation science. Additionally, the bill provides free hunting and fishing permits to enrolled tribal members on state lands, offers access to safety and education programs, and prioritizes tribal food processing facilities for technical assistance and funding support. These measures aim to promote sustainable resource use and tribal food sovereignty while maintaining state conservation goals and protections.