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April 4, 2006
Volume 4, Issue 13
State Caucus Updates
Mississippi Caucus Closes Highly Successful Session
Maryland Sends Internet Hunting Ban and Veteran’s Hunters License Bills to Governor
Iowa Legislature Passes Package of Sportsmen’s Bills
Georgia Caucus Passes Internet Hunting Ban
Louisiana Moves Resolution Seeking to Close Youth Hunting Opportunities
Beyond the Caucus
California Creates “Passport” Program to Promote Fishing
Mississippi Caucus Closes Highly Successful Session
The Mississippi legislature adjourned on Friday with the recently launched sportsmen’s caucus successfully passing three pieces of NASC model legislation and others to advance the sportsmen’s agenda in the state. The Mississippi Sportsmen’s Caucus, which was only organized in February, rallied in the second half of the session to promote the protection of public hunting lands, preserve the fair chase ethic of hunting and expand youth hunting opportunities.
Caucus Co-Chair Senator Lynn Posey (D-Union Church) led the efforts with S.2075 which requires that in any given year there may not be a net loss in acreage of public lands available for hunting. If public lands are closed to the sport, the same number of acres must be opened elsewhere to maintain current access levels. This “no net loss” of public hunting land issue originally passed in Illinois in 2004 and has been shared among legislatures as model legislation since the First Annual NASC Meeting that same year. Sen. Posey also introduced S.2041 which outlaws the practice of hunting via a computer with an internet connection. The bill passed, making Mississippi one of 19 states to protect the ethics of hunting by banning the activity. For more details on the recent Mississippi legislative session activities, click here.
Maryland Sends Internet Hunting Ban and Veteran’s Hunters License Bills to Governor
The Maryland General Assembly sent two sportsmen caucus supported bills to Governor Bob Ehrlich this week. NASC Executive Council President and Caucus Co-Chair Senator John Astle (D-Annapolis) introduced the state’s recently passed internet hunting ban, S.521. The bill requires revocation of the hunting license of anyone convicted of participating in the activity in the Old Line State. Senator Astle worked closely with the Division of Natural Resources to draft a version of the bill based on NASC model legislation from other states. The Assembly also passed HB 282 to extend the term of a complimentary license for service connected disabled veterans and former POWs to life. The measure was introduced by Representative LeRoy Myers (R-Cumberland).
Iowa Legislature Passes Package of Sportsmen’s Bills
Lawmakers in Iowa recently passed three bills to expand fishing and hunting opportunities for the elderly, teens and military veterans. HB 2171 allows residents of elder group homes and assisted living facilities to fish without individual licenses during supervised trips with the group. In a similar fashion, HB 2611 makes it easier to introduce high school students to angling by allowing teenage students taking part in Department of Natural Resources programs to fish without a license as part of a school program. Finally, the legislature also approved HB 2244 to create a $5 lifetime hunting and fishing license for resident military veterans.
Georgia Caucus Passes Internet Hunting Ban
Last week, the Georgia legislature passed HB 338 to end the practice of internet hunting in the Peach State. The bill introduced by Representative Pete Warren (D-Augusta) also contains a provision to allow the use of scopes when hunting with muzzleloaders during primitive weapon season. It now heads to Governor Sonny Perdue for his signature.
Louisiana Moves Resolution Seeking to Close Youth Hunting Opportunities
Yesterday, a resolution to increase the minimum age of students taking hunter education and firearm safety classes was adopted by the Louisiana House of Representatives. In addition, the resolution requests that the Division of Wildlife and Fisheries consider requiring parents of every minor to attend the same hunter safety course and be involved in any future hunting trips the young hunter might take. HCR 61, introduced by Representative Brett Geymann (R-Lake Charles), is now headed to the Senate for consideration.
However, last week the Senate unanimously passed HCR 35 from Caucus Co-Chair Representative Bryant Hammett (D-Ferriday) to commend the Division for their efforts to increase youth hunting and fishing opportunities in the Pelican State. The resolution even calls for the agency to increase the number of programs and opportunities available to promote “the continuation of our treasured hunting and fishing traditions.”
California Creates “Passport” Program to Promote Fishing
The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) recently announced a new program to reward people for fishing the state’s diverse waters called the “California Fishing Passport.” Officially launching in June, the program will provide awards for anglers who receive stamps on their passports when they fish a wide variety of California’s waters. The fishing passport will contain a full list of all game fish, including more than 40 species of freshwater sportfish, 150 species of saltwater game fish, and a handful of shellfish species. The Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, a NASC partner, has joined with the DFG to promote the program across the state.
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