April 6, 2005
Volume 3, Issue 7

State Caucus Update
Arkansas Enacts “No Net Loss” Legislation
Georgia Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus 2005 Summary
California Senate Committee Passes Internet Hunting Ban
Texas House Passes Reduced Fees for Military Personnel Legislation
Florida Legislators Enjoy the Outdoors

Arkansas Enacts “No Net Loss” Legislation
Legislation that will protect sportsmen’s access to state public hunting areas was signed into law by Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee on March 30. Authored by Arkansas Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus member Sen. Steve Higginbothom, the Arkansas Hunting Heritage Protection Act provides for “no net loss” of public hunting areas in the state. The law requires the state fish and wildlife agency, to the extent practicable, to allow hunting on the lands that they manage. Every year, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will be required to submit a report documenting the number of acres of commission managed land to be closed or opened to public hunting. Several state caucus members co-sponsored the legislation including Senate Caucus Chair Ruth Whitaker, Sen. Steve Faris, House Caucus Vice-Chair Rep. Benny Petrus, Reps. Stan Berry and Tommy Dickinson.

The proactive effort to ensure access to hunting areas originated with the Illinois Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus that passed a similar bill in 2004 but it has been a priority of the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses to share the legislation with other state sportsmen’s caucuses. Illinois State Rep. Dan Reitz spoke about the success of this initiative during the First Annual Meeting of the NASC held in Texas in December 2004 and encouraged fellow sportsmen-legislators to carry the concept back to their own state. The Arkansas win for sportsmen illustrates the power of state caucuses when legislators not only band together in their home states, but also learn from each other through NASC.

Georgia Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus 2005 Summary
The 2005 session of the Georgia General Assembly adjourned on March 31 after the Georgia Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus worked cooperatively to advance several key pieces of legislation and host the 3 rd Annual Sportsmen’s Day at the Capitol. This was the fifth year since the Caucus was formed and the effectiveness of the group was evident through the passage of a resolution to protect the states’ citizens’ right to hunt, fish and trap. That constitutional amendment will be on the ballot for voters to approve in 2006. “As this caucus grows it will only further enhance our ability to promote a pro-sportsmen’s agenda in Georgia and protect against any anti-sportsmen legislation that may arise,” said Senator Jeff Mullis, Co-Chair of the Georgia Caucus.  “We also look forward to expanding our relationship with the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses so that we can help our colleagues in other states present the same united front on behalf of their constituents.” For a more detailed overview of the Georgia Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus’ efforts during this session, click here.

California Senate Committee Passes Internet Hunting Ban
Legislation that will make it illegal to hunt animals via computer assisted remote hunting has been passed by the California Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water and will now be sent to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration. Remote hunting has been a very important issue in many state legislatures in 2005 and this is a major step in California to ensure the integrity of sportsmen throughout the state.

Texas House Passes Reduced Fees for Military Personnel Legislation
House Bill 1076 that revises the Texas Parks and Wildlife code to allow for the reduction or waiver of hunting and fishing license fees for Texans on active duty in the US military passed the House floor today. The legislation now travels to the Senate for approval.  Texas joins 17 other states dealing with licensing for military personnel and veterans.

Florida Legislators Enjoy the Outdoors
Florida Legislative Sportsman's Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Baxter Troutman hosted six of his House colleagues on April 1 and 2 at Alico Ranch in south Florida for a weekend of outdoor fun. Rep. Troutman has planned a number of such events designed to get legislators out from behind their desks and into the field to learn more about issues facing sportsmen in Florida. Some legislators were only able to participate in a skeet shoot held on Friday evening and for a few, the event marked their first time to fire a shotgun. The legislators (five of whom were women) braved rough weather conditions while hunting for Florida's famed Osceola turkey on Saturday morning. Rep. Jennifer Carroll, in her first turkey hunt, was successful on her first ever Osceola turkey hunt and Rep. Julio Robaina harvested a feral hog. Lane Stephens, Executive Director of the Allied Sportsmen's Associations of Florida and liaison to the Sportsmen's Caucus, assisted Rep. Troutman and aide Drew Love with the event. Stephens was rewarded for his efforts when he harvested what may be the largest Osceola taken in Florida this year. Rep. Troutman plans to take eight to ten additional legislators to enjoy the great outdoors and discuss a pro-sportsmen's agenda during future trips to the field.