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May 4 , 2006
Volume 4, Issue 17
State Caucus Update
Florida Passes Sportsmen Voter Act, No Net Loss and Apprentice Hunting License Program
Illinois Passes Apprentice Hunting Bill
Louisiana Pushes Internet Hunting Ban and Dedicated Funding Measures
South Carolina Closer to Finalizing a Sportsmen’s Caucus
NASC Joins Arkansas Caucus for Legislative Discussions
Florida Passes Sportsmen Voter Act, No Net Loss and Apprentice Hunting License Program
The Florida Legislature has sent HB125 to Governor Jeb Bush for his signature on the NASC model legislation that opens voter registration opportunities to sportsmen buying hunting and fishing licenses. The bill, introduced by Florida Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus member Representative Greg Evers, requires anyone appointed by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to sell hunting and fishing licenses to provide resources for sportsmen to register to vote or update registration information. The first so-called “Sportsmen Voter Act” passed in 2004 in Georgia and was adopted as NASC model legislation that same year at the NASC Sportsman-Legislator Summit. NASC is working with sportsmen’s caucuses in Louisiana, Michigan, and Tennessee to pass similar legislation this year.
NASC model “no net loss” legislation, HB 265, also passed the House and Senate unanimously this week. The bill has now been sent for Gov. Bush’s signature. It is a “no net loss” measure that will ensure public hunting lands remain accessible by requiring new lands to be opened should others in the state be closed.
Florida lawmakers have also passed their version of a youth apprentice bill, HB 471, introduced by NASC Executive Council Member Caucus Co-Chair Representative Baxter Troutman, which allows the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to let hunters defer the hunter safety course requirement for one year and be issued a restricted hunting license for use during a supervised hunt. The bill passed the House 116-2 and unanimously in the Senate and now awaits the Governor’s signature.Illinois Passes Apprentice Hunting Bill
Introduced by members of the Illinois Sportsmen’s Caucus, HB 5407, an apprentice hunting license bill creating new opportunities for recruiting young hunters, has been approved by the Illinois General Assembly. The bill was sponsored by Caucus Co-Chairs Representatives Mark Beaubien and Dan Reitz, along with Caucus member Representative Brandon Phelps. Specifically, the bill allows for a $7 one-time, non-renewable apprentice hunting license for youth ages 10-17 who are accompanied by a licensed parent, guardian, or grandparent or those 18 and over who are supervised by another legally licensed resident hunter.
“We are in jeopardy of losing a generation of new hunters. This bill gives parents and grandparents the opportunity to take their kids hunting so they can try it in the field first,” commented NASC Executive Council Member Rep. Reitz, who first learned of the apprentice hunting bill at the NASC Annual Sportsman-Legislator Summit last November.Louisiana Pushes Internet Hunting Ban and Dedicated Funding Measures
The Louisiana Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus pushed through legislation to outlaw internet hunting, HB 52, introduced by Caucus Co-Chair Representative Bryant Hammett. The bill is now headed to conference committee after passing both chambers. In addition, the House passed HB 918, introduced by Representative Karen St. Germaine, that would create a Louisiana Largemouth Bass prestige license plate which will cost $26 every two years and dedicate a majority of the funds to the Department of Game and Fish for fish stocking programs.
South Carolina Closer to Finalizing a Sportsmen’s Caucus
Legislators in South Carolina are on track to become the 29th state to launch a state legislative sportsmen’s caucus. A bill to allow the formation of a sportsmen’s caucus, HB 3402, introduced by Representative Mike Pitts, has passed both the House and the Senate and is expected to be released from conference committee this week.
NASC Joins Arkansas Caucus for Legislative Discussions
The Arkansas Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus convened last week during their off session year to elect new leadership and begin focusing on ways the caucus can advance a pro-sportsmen’s agenda when the legislature reconvenes in 2007. NASC staff joined more than twenty legislators at the meeting and highlighted NASC model legislation ideas for the caucus, including internet hunting bans, apprentice hunting license programs and expanding hunting and fishing license benefits for military veterans. In addition, B.A.S.S. was represented by Chris Horton, Associate Director of Conservation, to discuss fishery issues unique to Arkansas.
At the meeting, Representatives Mike Burris and Sandra Prater were elected as the new House leadership of the Caucus, while Senators Ruth Whitaker and Terry Smith were re-elected as the Senate leadership. "Arkansas is blessed to have so many outdoor activities available to our citizens," Rep. Burris stressed. "I will do my best to educate my fellow legislators and work closely with our Caucus members and our state agencies to promote our issues and protect our rights as sportsmen."
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