Congressional Sportsmen Foundation: Tracking The Capitols April 07th 2009
Weekly update on federal and state legislation affecting sportsmen.
Any Capital City, USA – -(AmmoLand.com)- Welcome to this weeks issue of the weekly “Tracking the Capitols” report. Tracking the Capitols is intended to keep you informed on the most pertinent and timely federal and state legislation affecting hunting, fishing, and conservation issues currently being tracked by the CSF and NASC policy team. Subscribers to the CSF electronic mailing list will receive this report in their email inbox every Tuesday morning.
ON CAPITOL HILL
H.R. 1916, introduced on April 2 by CSC Member Rep. John Dingell and CSC Member Rep. Rob Wittman, would amend the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act to provide for a revised schedule of price increases for the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, popularly known as the “Duck Stamp”.
H.R. 1831, was introduced on March 31 by CSC Member and former Chair Congressmen Mike Thompson and CSC Member Rep. Eric Cantor. The Conservation Easement Incentive Act will aid in the protection of millions of acres of the nation’s agricultural lands and open spaces. H.R. 1831 makes permanent an expiring incentive that allows modest-income landowners to receive significant tax deductions for donating conservation easements that permanently protect important natural or historic resources on their lands. Ninety-three representatives signed on as co-sponsors.
IN THE STATES
New York AB 7218 prohibits the docking of dog tails for reasons other than to protect the life or health of the dog as deemed necessary by a duly licensed veterinarian.
New York SB 3598 would increase the age at which a person is allowed to hunt to 18 from 16, and requires licensees between 18 and 20 to be accompanied by a parent or other person over 20 when hunting big game. This bill also states that a licensee between the ages of 14 and 16 years shall not hunt wildlife with a gun or longbow unless such person is accompanied by his or her parent or legal guardian or relative over the age of 23.
Alaska HCR 10, sponsored by Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Representative Mike Hawker, urges the Governor of Alaska to file an action restraining the United States Department of Interior and the National Park Service, from intruding on the sovereign right of the state to exercise jurisdiction over navigable water and submerged land. The resolution also recommends the Governor allocate resources to the Department of Law, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Department of Fish and Game to defend the state’s right to manage public use of its navigable water.
Arkansas SB 642, sponsored by Sportsmen’s Caucus Chair and former NASC Executive Council Member Senator Ruth Whitaker, grants general improvement appropriation for the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission.
Missouri HCR 45, sponsored by Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Representative Maynard Wallace, opposes any federal infringement on citizens’ right to keep and bear arms under the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution.
North Carolina HB 857 is an act to direct the wildlife resources commission to set minimum caliber requirements for rifles used in taking big game.
North Carolina HB 918 is an act to designate the red drum and spotted sea trout as coastal game fish, to prohibit the taking of red drum and spotted sea trout other than by hook-and-line, and to compensate commercial fishermen for certain losses due to the designation and prohibition.
North Carolina SB 1009, sponsored by Sportsmen’s Caucus Chair Senator A.B. Swindell, would authorize the wildlife resources commission to provide exemptions from hunting license requirements for special events.
About:
We can have the best wildlife habitat imaginable and a record number of people who buy fishing and hunting licenses, but it won’t matter if misguided laws and regulations are made at the federal and state levels that negatively impact our outdoor traditions. Keeping sportsmen’s issues front and center is what the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation does. Day in and day out, our sole focus is on providing a voice for sportsmen in the political arena. Serving as the first line of defense in protecting America’s outdoor traditions as well as promoting the sportsmen’s agenda through the collective muscle of sportsmen’s caucuses.