Shaking up the structure of a state government agency has stirred some controversy and passionate reaction this weekend.

Frankfurt Senate Bill three seeks to move the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources to the Department of Agriculture, and its new Republican commissioner, Jonathan Shell.

Fish and Wildlife is currently under the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, which is overseen by Democratic Governor Andy Beshear, sponsored by State Senator Jason Howell.

Senate Bill three would also strip Governor Beshear from being able to appoint commission members to the department and instead give that authority to Commissioner Shell.

Speaking on the Senate floor today, Senator Howell said the bill is needed after years of conflict between the governor and the Fish and Wildlife Department.

The long standing friction between this governor's office and Fish and Wildlife is well documented.

It's almost not the conflict back and forth between the governor and the Fish and Wildlife, but it's a cost that comes with this removing fish and wildlife from this purchasing cost.

Fish and Wildlife, more money to buy the things that they needed to do to operate.

Unfortunately, this current governor doesn't have a monopoly on interference with fish and Wildlife.

This situation has gone back through the governor that preceded him and governors that preceded them.

While much is discussed in this process about politics, to me, this move makes sound policy sense.

But several sportsmen and organizations representing Kentucky hunters and anglers have been vocal in their opposition.

So was State Senator Robin Webb, a Democrat from Grayson, who herself is a hunter and rancher.

My opposition to this is not in defense of the executive branch, not about a commissioner.

It's not about the commission.

It's not about the appointees.

This is about the future of an agency that is the one of the we're the envy of the nation.

Every sportsmen's organization is against this.

I've not got one email for it.

The Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, our largest national legislative caucuses, including the collegiate caucuses, the governors caucuses, which our governor is not a member, but that, you know, we are all operate under one umbrella.

The National Sportsmen's Alliance, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Delta Waterfowl Build and Stream wrote an article about it.

Kentucky Backroads Hunters and Anglers.

Bass, Boone and Crockett.

Quail Forever.

Pheasant Forever.

American Sports Fishing Association.

Safari Club.

International League, A Kentucky Sportsman and the National Wild Turkey Federation have all come out strongly against these bills.

And I stand in solidarity with the sportsmen and women and the species that don't have a lobbyist here to represent.

I'm against this measure.

A floor amendment attached to the bill by Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer also seeks to attach the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission to the Department of Agriculture.

Senator Thayer said the governor would still be able to appoint members to the Horse Racing Commission, but the appointments would be subject to Senate confirmation.

Senate Bill three narrowly passed the full Senate today with 20 yes votes and 16 no votes.

It now heads to the House for consideration.