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The National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses, a program of the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF), is the leader in providing information to protect and promote sportsmen's issues to 35 sportsmen's legislative caucuses within state legislatures and serves as the venue for focused interaction and idea exchange among state caucus leaders, the outdoors community and media.
Anti-sportsmen legislative skirmishes were waged in many caucus states' Legislatures and General Assemblies throughout the country. Some states are still in session and the drive to advance and promote sportsmen's issues continues. For other states, it's over for this year. As their sessions came to a close, sportsmen around the country were heartened by successes. Sometimes those successes were achieved by the passage of new laws, sometimes the death or defeat of others.
STATE CAUCUS HIGHLIGHTS 2008
ALASKA
Poachers Beware; One of the key pieces of legislation this year was HB267, which would begin the process to enroll Alaska as a member state in the Wildlife Violators Compact. The Wildlife Violators Compact establishes the mechanism that allows fish and wildlife departments to share information about people who commit fish and wildlife violations between the member states.
Federal Anti-Hunting Bill Opposed; HJR31 opposes the federal legislation regarding aerial wolf hunting in Alaska - The legislation opposes the enactment of the so-called Protect America's Wildlife Act (PAW-H.R. 3663) that intends to prohibit aerial hunting of wildlife which is essential for predator control in Alaska. PAW is awaiting action in the 110th Congress.
CALIFORNIA
Fiscal Accountability; SB 1172 would help ensure that hunting license stamp and tag monies fully benefit the game species and habitats that they were intended to support.
SB 1172 would establish separate fiscal accounts for revenues derived from hunting license stamp or tag sales-specifically those for wild pigs, antelope, bighorn sheep, bear, elk, upland game birds and deer-so that the public can better track and account for them. Where existing law is insufficient, the measure would also mandate that such revenues can only be used for certain game species-related purposes. The bill would further create the opportunity for sportsmen's organizations to provide input to the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) as to the types of projects or activities approved for funding from the accounts, while allowing such groups to assist with much-needed conservation efforts.
In addition, SB 1172 would mandate that any land that is purchased by the state with specified hunting license stamp or tag revenue be open for public hunting opportunities
COLORADO
Internet Hunting Ban; With the passage of HB1200, Colorado becomes one of the latest states to pursue a ban on ‘internet hunting' or computer assisted remote hunting. Colorado will join 36 other states that have banned the practice, 27 of which are states that have legislative sportsmen's caucuses.
CONNECTICUT
Ammunition Restrictions; SB603 and SB607 were bills introduced to enact both Microstamping and Ammunition Encoding/Bullet Serialization. These two legislative threats to firearms owners were defeated.
FLORIDA
From the perspective of Florida's sportsmen and women, the legislative session can be categorized as one of "holding on to what you got." The legislature faced one of the most difficult budget years in modern history whereby policymakers cut $6-billion from the state's budget. While no state agencies avoided the budget axe, the Florida Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus was able to help reduce the cut to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Indexing License Fees; CS/CS/SB 1286 contained provisions which adjusted vessel registration fees in Florida. This was the first adjustment to these fees since 1992, and resulted in approximately $10.2-million being generated. The bulk of these fees protected cuts in law enforcement activities. The bill also instituted a Consumer Price Index on a going forward basis for vessel registration and recreation hunting and fishing license fees. This will allow an automatic adjustment every 5 years and will help the agency offset increases in their management activities.
Florida Forever; CS/CS/SB 542 pertains to land acquisition and management. This omnibus bill extends for another 10 years Florida landmark acquisition program, Florida Forever. This will allow the state to continue a $300-million per year program to acquire lands in the state for conservation purposes. Other measures in the bill should result in a more favorable treatment of lands for hunters in Florida.
GEORGIA
Hunting & Fishing in Schools; Sponsored by Georgia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus Co-Chair Rep. David Knight and adopted by the House of Representatives in the Georgia General Assembly, HR1856 urged the State Board of Education to provide a curriculum for students in grades 9-12 in hunting, fishing and nature appreciation.
IDAHO
Shooting Range Protection; Both HB515 and HB604 protect both state-run and private shooting ranges from lawsuits arising from noise complaints after meeting certain conditions.
Penalties for Unlicensed Guides; HB473 makes it a misdemeanor to guide/outfit without a license or to compensate a guide or outfitter that is not licensed.
Wolf Depredation; SB1374 amends existing law to revise provisions relating to the control of depredation of black bear, mountain lion and predators; and now provides for the control of depredation of wolves.
KANSAS
#35; Sportsmen will now have an influential ally in the State Legislature as Kansas formed its Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus with a Kick-Off event at the Topeka Country Club in late March. The Caucus becomes the 35th state to work with the NASC. A Sportsmen's Caucus is formed by passionate, like-minded legislators that understand America's hunting, fishing, and trapping heritage and its importance to wildlife management and its economic importance to the state. Caucus members set partisan politics aside and maintain a unified front by remaining informed and organized on the sportsmen's legislative issues they see every day.
KENTUCKY
Deer Contraceptives; HB637 would have banned the use of deer contraceptives without obtaining a permit from the state or a change to the law. The bill passed the House and died in the Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee
LOUISIANA
National Honor; Safari Club International named Louisiana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus Co-Chairman Senator Joe McPherson as its 2008 State Legislator of the Year. He has championed sportsmen's issues in Louisiana's State Senate for more than 23 years.
"Senator McPherson has personified the dedication to the hunting heritage of Louisiana and America for his entire career," said SCI President Dennis Anderson. "I am proud that SCI has recognized such a deserving individual for this prestigious award."
MARYLAND
Minimum Age Hunting License; Legislation that was withdrawn included HB655, the Minimum Age Hunting License Bill that would have prohibited the Department of Natural Resources from issuing a hunting license to anyone under the age of thirteen. Maryland has no minimum age for obtaining a hunting license as long as the person completes a Hunter Safety Education Course.
The Encoded Ammunition & Tax Bill; HB517 garnered an unfavorable report from the Judiciary Committee and died. This bill called for all ammunition for handguns and several calibers of rifles to be encoded with serial numbers, established a 5-cents per round tax and a State Police database to record purchases.
Bear Hunting Trapping Bans: HB657, which would have prohibited black bears from being hunted in Maryland, was again blocked. Another bill that that would have prohibited leghold traps for furbearers was prevented from even being introduced.
Expanded Sunday Deer Hunting; three counties were added to the growing list of counties that permit limited Sunday deer hunting. Harford (HB1482), Montgomery (HB938) and Washington (HB840) Counties now offer Sunday deer hunting opportunities.
MINNESOTA
Dove Hunting Ban; Two bills, HF2501 and SF2329, seeking to ban dove hunting, were recently rejected by committees in both the House and Senate. The leadership and members of the Minnesota Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus led the initiative to bring about the bills' demise.
Shooting Range Funding; HF3627 would provide $300,000 to fund construction of a shooting sports facility at Vermillion Highlands Wildlife Management Area.
MISSISSIPPI
Hunting Deer Over Bait; HB1089 would have permitted hunting deer over bait (feeders) on private land. The bill passed and was vetoed by the Governor. His veto was allowed to stand.
Shooting Ranges; HB346 provides protection for existing shooting ranges from lawsuits arising from noise complaints after meeting certain conditions.
Bullet Serialization; HB2286 required the Department of Public Safety to establish a statewide database to track coded ammunition manufactured and sold for handguns and assault rifles. The bill died in Committee
Youth Hunting Season; HB1273 was approved by the Governor and authorized the Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks to set a new youth hunting season concurrent with primitive weapons season.
Crossbow Hunting; SB2372 allows anyone to hunt deer with a crossbow during the open gun and primitive weapons seasons and was approved by the Governor.
Tourism; SB2892 was approved by the Governor. The bill creates a tourism advisory board that includes wildlife, fisheries and parks representative
NEBRASKA
Apprentice Hunter License; LB690 establishes an exemption to the state hunter education course for newcomers to hunting to purchase an apprentice hunting license and participate in hunting while under supervision by a licensed hunter. The purpose of the bill is to extend limited hunting privileges to persons interested in learning about hunting sports.
No Hunting, No Fishing Either! LB929 would have prohibited hunting, trapping and fishing in Nebraska and made it a misdemeanor for a person caught pursuing any of these; a felony for the second offense. The legislation did not pass.
What Emergency? LB743 citing an ‘emergency', would have made it unlawful trap within a county road right of way, to shoot at any wildlife from any highway or roadway, and included provisions for suspension of hunting privileges, exceeding bag limits, hunting without permission and established penalties for violations. The legislation stopped kicking in February.
Hunters Feeding the Hungry - LB1059 was a bill that included many deer hunting and depredation provisions. A clause regarding ‘hunters feeding the hungry' established procedures for the administration of the deer donation program and encouraged hunters, during periods of excessive deer populations, to harvest more deer than needed for personal consumption and to donate those deer to a program to feed residents of Nebraska who are in need. The legislation did not pass.
NEW MEXICO
2009 Planning; The New Mexico Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus is prioritizing New Mexico's sportsmen's issues for 2009. Access to public hunting lands is always a hot-button issue in any western state and the recovery program for the Mexican Grey Wolf in both New Mexico and bordering Arizona is still an issue that not only concerns sportsmen but ranchers as well.
NEW YORK
Junior Hunting License; The most important initiative for the NY Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus this session was the creation of junior hunting license legislation. The proposed legislation would amend the Environmental Conservation Law to: 1) allow 14 and 15 year-olds who are already permitted to hunt small game in New York State to hunt big game with a firearm under specified conditions and only while supervised; and 2) create a trapper mentoring program.
VERMONT
Access Denied; HB573 died in the Ways & Means committee. The legislation would have created a tax reduction for unposted current use land.
Moose hunting; HB788 was approved by Governor. This bill proposes to require the fish and wildlife board; if a moose hunting season is established, to set aside five moose permits for award to applicants who have served on active duty in any branch of the armed forces of the United States during the Iraq or Afghanistan conflict.
VIRGINA
Apprentice Hunting License; HB1175 authorizes the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to issue an apprentice hunting license. It is a one-time license that expires two years from the date of purchase and does not require the licensee to complete a hunter education course. The purpose of the bill is to extend limited hunting privileges to persons interested in learning about hunting sports.
Special Fishing Permit; HB319 allows the Director of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to permit any organized groups of patients residing in or receiving outpatient treatment from a veteran's or military hospital in Virginia, an adjoining state, or the District of Columbia to fish without having to obtain licenses. They would be allowed to fish in any public waters including those stocked with trout.
Virginia Natural Resources Commitment Fund; HB1335 establishes the Virginia Natural Resources Commitment Fund where 10 percent of revenue generated by a one percent sales and use tax will be allocated to fund agricultural best management practices. 57 percent of the moneys are to be used for matching grants to implement BMPs on agricultural lands exclusively in the Chesapeake Bay watershed and 38 percent of the moneys would be used for all other lands in the Commonwealth. Five percent of the moneys would be allocated to soil and water conservation districts.
Public Input on Regulations; HJ231 expresses the sense of the General Assembly that the Board of Game and Inland fisheries and the Department of Game and Inland fisheries provide for greater citizen input in the formulation of wildlife regulations.
