LEGISLATION TO RESTRUCTURE THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES PASSES SENATE DESPITE OPPOSITION

ARTICLE CONTACT: CONNER BARKER

Why It Matters: Kentucky would be the first state in the country to place the management of its fish and wildlife agency under its Department of Agriculture and give all Wildlife Commissioner appointments to its Commissioner of Agriculture, which is a significant departure from how fish and wildlife resources have been managed since the early 20^th Century when modern wildlife management programs were established.

The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation is widely recognized as one of the most successful models of wildlife conservation in the world, and one of its key components is that wildlife harvest is allocated by law, including regulatory decisions made by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) Commission. Through the “user pays – public benefits” structure of the American System of Conservation Funding, sportsmen and women largely pay for the management of public trust fish and wildlife resources, and while the agriculture and sporting communities share similar interests, the changes proposed in Senate Bill 3 could lead to regulations addressing agricultural priorities conflicting with professional, science-based fish and wildlife management.

Highlights:

• Senate Bill 3 would (1) administratively attach the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) to the Department of Agriculture and (2) authorize the Commissioner of Agriculture to appoint all members of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Commission.
• The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) coordinated an action alert with a ride range of conservation partners asking sportsmen and women in Kentucky to encourage their elected officials to oppose Senate Bill 3.
• On March 12, CSF, among other sporting-conservation partners, gathered at the State Capitol to deliver oral testimony before the Senate Agriculture Committee (Committee) opposing Senate Bill 3.
• Unfortunately, Senate Bill 3 was reported favorably out of Committee, and it passed the Senate on a 20-16 vote. CSF encourages Kentucky sportsmen and women to respectfully express their concerns with Senate Bill 3 to the House Committee on Committees where it has been assigned.

On March 12, a passel of sportsmen and women from across the Commonwealth attended the Committee hearing to oppose Senate Bill 3. CSF’s Coordinator, Southeastern States, and lifelong Kentuckian, Conner Barker, testified before the Committee, along with several other sporting-conservation partners. In his testimony, Conner stated that Senate Bill 3 “is not the best solution long-term for managing fish and wildlife resources, public trust resources that are managed largely with sportsmen and women generated dollars.” Furthermore, Conner added that “agricultural priorities may conflict with professional, science-based fish and wildlife management.”

Kentucky Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus (Caucus) Chair and former National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses Executive Council President and current Member, Senator Robin Webb, who is a member of the Committee, expressed strong opposition to Senate Bill 3 during the hearing and voted against the bill. In her comments, Senator Webb stressed that the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation is the envy of the world for professional, science-based wildlife management. Senator Webb further stated that the KDFWR, its Commission selection, and public input process have been successful in managing Kentucky’s fish and wildlife resources and expressed reservations about merging agriculture and wildlife management.

CSF thanks the Senators that voted against Senate Bill 3 and especially is thankful to Senator Webb for her leadership opposing the bill. will continue working with our partners and the Caucus to protect Kentucky’s sporting heritage from the intrusion of agricultural interests into wildlife management. CSF encourages Kentuckians to respectfully express their opposition to Senate Bill 3 to members of the House Committee on Committees.

States Involved: KY

ACE REAUTHORIZATION ACT, CSF TOP PRIORITY, PASSES SENATE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY

ARTICLE CONTACT: TAYLOR SCHMITZ

Why It Matters: The America’s Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization Act (ACE) reauthorizes nearly a dozen provisions that will bolster the conservation of fish, wildlife, and their associated habitats across North America and provides an important protection for America’s anglers. The ACE Act has been a long-standing priority for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) since the program was first enacted in 2020. The unanimous committee passage of this legislation marks an important step forward in the legislative process for the ACE Reauthorization Act and signals the strong support for this effort.

Highlights:

• On Tuesday, the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee passed S. 3791, the America’s Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization Act on a unanimous vote, a sign of the wide-spread support for this legislation.
• This legislation is led by EPW Chairman and Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Member Sen. Carper and EPW Ranking Member and CSC Member Sen. Capito. Senators Carper and Capito are joined in leading this legislation by CSC Co-Chair John Boozman, CSC members Senators Mullin and Wicker as well as Sens. Cardin, Padilla, Whitehouse, and Van Hollen.
• This important legislation reauthorizes critical fish, wildlife, and habitat conservation programs that will bolster habitat across the nation from Fiscal Year 2026 – 2030.

Last week, the America’s Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization passed the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee unanimously. Prior to the vote, CSF sent an alert to the CSC Members who serve on the Committee in strong support of this legislation.

Specifically, the ACE Reauthorization Act includes important programs such as the North American Wetlands Conservation (NAWCA). The ACE Reauthorization Act  will increase the NAWCA authorization level from $60 million annually to $65 million annually. Unfortunately, America has lost roughly 50% of its wetlands. However, NAWCA provides strategic investments to conserving and restoring degraded wetlands across North America. Since its inception 35 years ago, NAWCA has provided over $2.1 billion in federal grants that has leveraged nearly $4.3 billion in non-federal contributions. In total, there have been over 3,300 NAWCA projects that have contributed to the conservation of nearly 32 million acres of wetlands in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Additionally, this legislation reauthorizes the National Fish Habitat Conservation Through Partnerships (NFHP) and increases the funding level from $7.2 million to $10 million annually. NFHP is a state and locally driven program that leverages partners to conserve priority aquatic habitat needs, restore fish populations, and enhance recreational fishing opportunities. CSF’s Senior Director, Fisheries Policy, was recently reappointed to serve on the NFHP Board.

Additionally, the ACE Reauthorization Act will provide a 5-year protection to prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from regulating the use of lead fishing tackle under the purview of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The EPA has consistently reaffirmed state management authority of lead fishing tackle and this legislation will ensure the EPA cannot be petitioned to regulate lead tackle under TSCA for a period of 5 years.

CSF thanks Chairman Carper, Ranking Member Capito, and the other leaders of this legislation as well as the EPW Committee for favorably advancing this bill. CSF will continue to work to see this legislation get across the finish line in 2024.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OKS PAIR OF FIREARM BILLS IN OK

ARTICLE CONTACT: KENT KEENE

Why It Matters: Particularly during election years, legislation regarding firearms, both good and bad, dominates much of the conversation among state legislatures. Often, these efforts align closely with the priorities for one major political party or the other. However, there are ideas that truly transcend party lines in support of our shared mission of increasing firearm safety among America’s law-abiding sportsmen and women. Members of the Oklahoma Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus are currently leading such an effort in the Sooner State.

Highlights:

• The Oklahoma House of Representatives recently passed two bills, House Bills 3427 and 3429, led by Oklahoma Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Representative Nick Archer.
• House Bill 3427 would create an income tax credit program for firearm owners who purchase an eligible firearm safety device, such as a safe, case, or lock box. HB 3427 passed out of the House with strong bipartisan support.
• House Bill 3429 would create a sales tax holiday for qualifying rifle ammunition purchases during the weekend preceding Oklahoma’s firearms deer hunting season.

Firearm policy remains one of the most polarizing topics across the country. Because of this, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s (CSF) States Program Team remains steadfast in our efforts to defend our firearm rights during state legislative sessions. While firearm policy is often a source of partisan divide, some efforts designed to improve firearm safety have the ability to transcend party lines and bring legislators together.

In Oklahoma, House Bill 3427, introduced and led by Oklahoma Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Representative Nick Archer, is accomplishing this feat. HB 3427 seeks to create an income tax credit for Oklahoma taxpayers who purchase an eligible firearm safety device. If passed, taxpayers who purchase eligible safes, cases, lock boxes, or similar items can receive fifty percent of the purchase price for such items as a tax credit. This sort of program provides law-abiding firearm owners with an incentive to continue investing in firearm safety devices. Such incentives, as opposed to onerous mandates, are a great way to improve firearm safety. On March 5^th, HB 3427 passed out of the House with bipartisan support by a margin of 85-10.

Passed out of the House a day later on March 6^th was Representative Archer’s HB 3429 which would create a sales tax holiday for the purchase of rifle ammunition during the weekend before Oklahoma’s firearms deer hunting season. Designed to increase interest and participation in time-honored outdoor traditions, the outdoor gear tax holiday offered through HB 3429 provides deer hunters an added incentive to gear up for the upcoming season while supporting the sale of ammunition in the Sooner State.

After passing out of the House, both HB 3427 and HB 3429 await further action in the Senate.

States Involved: OK

SUNDAY GAME BIRD HUNTING ONE SIGNATURE AWAY FROM BECOMING LAW

ARTICLE CONTACT: KALEIGH LEAGER

Why It Matters: Caucus-driven Delaware House Bill 271 (HB 271) passed both the House and Senate unanimously and is now awaiting Governor John Carney’s signature for enactment. HB 271 removes game birds from the list of species prohibited from Sunday hunting within the First State. Delaware’s definition of game birds includes waterfowl, rails, wild turkeys, pheasants, quail, chukar, and doves, amongst others. By lifting the current prohibition, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s (DNREC) Division of Fish and Wildlife will continue to have the authority to establish and regulate season dates, bag limits and enforcement for the hunting of game birds but will gain the ability to add Sundays to the existing game bird seasons.

Highlights:

• HB 271 passed the House 37-0 (4 absent) on January 25^th and passed the Senate 20-0 (1 absent) on March 19^th.
• CSF provided written and oral testimony in support of the legislation’s passage and enactment.
• Delaware Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Member, Representative William Carson, is the primary sponsor of HB 271, with several fellow Caucus members as co-sponsors.
• Governor John Carney is a member of the Governor’s Sportsmen’s Caucus representing the First State and has a long-standing history of supporting pro-sportsmen and women related legislation.
• Currently, section 712 of Title 7 of the Delaware Code prohibits the hunting of any game birds or game animals (except deer) on Sundays. This Bill eliminates the prohibition against hunting game birds on Sundays. DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife still has authority to establish and regulate season dates, bag limits and enforcement for the hunting of game birds but removes the legislative prohibition for Sunday game bird hunting that is currently in statute.

Sunday hunting bans are one of the last remaining examples of the puritanical blue laws that were initially designed to encourage church attendance.  At the time when blue law restrictions were first put in place, other activities that were illegal on a Sunday included opening a store for business, drinking alcoholic beverages, and tilling your fields. Access is a major limiting factor hindering participation in hunting, and restrictions on Sunday hunting provide a temporal-access barrier to youth and others that work or attend school throughout the week and are often involved in extra-curricular activities on Saturdays. The access disparity issue among Delaware’s outdoor community is that the Sunday prohibitions are discriminatory to Delaware’s hunters, while all other outdoor recreationists are not statutorily restricted from engaging in their chosen pursuit on any day of the week.

The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s (CSF) Senior Coordinator, Mid-Atlantic States Kaleigh Leager submitted a letter of support and testified in person during the Senate Environment, Energy, & Transportation Committee hearing stating that, while HB 271 does not establish a 7-day/week hunting season, it lifts the current standing prohibition on Sunday game bird hunting and will allow DNREC to add Sundays to season dates if they believe it falls within the best interest of conservation, wildlife management, and the sportsmen and women of the First State. Additionally, Leager discussed why the lack of access and opportunity leads to the loss of hunters and comes as a disadvantage when it comes recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) efforts. Following bill passage, CSF then engaged the Governor’s office and encouraged the Governor to sign the bill into law, which will be his 3^rd pro-Sunday hunting bill he’ll have signed while in office.

CSF applauds the collective efforts of the Delaware Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, to remove the standing prohibition.  Once the bill is signed, CSF looks forward to working with DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife to ensure that Sunday game bird hunting is thoroughly considered and implemented within the First State.

States Involved: DE

OKLAHOMA PASSES LICENSE OVERHAUL LEGISLATION, A TOP PRIORITY FOR CSF AND PARTNERS

ARTICLE CONTACT: KENT KEENE

Why It Matters: Legislative victories are often the result of collaborative action and several years of advocacy. Arguably, no recent victory for sportsmen and women in the Midwest embodies this truth better than the recent passage of Oklahoma Senate Bill 941. This legislation, widely supported by the sporting-conservation community, will significantly simplify the Sooner State’s hunting and fishing license framework while providing the first license fee increases seen in the state in over two decades, and generating much needed funding for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

Highlights

• After several years of advocacy and many iterations, Oklahoma will finally see its hunting and fishing license system overhauled and simplified following the passage of Senate Bill 941.
• Widely supported by the sporting-conservation community, SB 941 also provides for the state’s first license fee increase in more than twenty years, increasing critical conservation funding for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
• Following its successful concurrence vote in the Senate on March 19, SB 941 now goes to Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Governor Kevin Stitt for his signature.

On March 19, with the Senate Gallery lined with members of the sporting-conservation community, the Oklahoma Senate concurred with House Amendments to Senate Bill 941 (SB 941) by a vote of 38-7, officially passing this important piece of legislation.  As previously reported, SB 941 passed out of the House by a strong majority during the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s and Ducks Unlimited’s Sportsmen’s Day at the Capitol. SB 941 would significantly overhaul and simplify Oklahoma’s hunting and fishing license framework, a system that currently features more than 150 different license and permit combinations that sportsmen and women must navigate to ensure that they are properly licensed.

SB 941’s passage represents the culmination of nearly half a decade of advocacy by members of Oklahoma’s sporting-conservation community. Over the last several legislative sessions, a variety of efforts to address the Sooner State’s convoluted license structure have been introduced with support from the community. Finally, a suitable compromise has been found in SB 941 that, once signed into law, will represent one of the most comprehensive sporting and conservation victories in Oklahoma in recent memory.

In addition to the simplicity that SB 941 will provide to Oklahoma’s license structure, the bill also provides for the state’s first hunting and fishing license fee increases in more than two decades, providing a necessary boost in funding for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, which is solely supported through the American System of Conservation Funding.

SB 941’s victory can be attributed to many key partners, including members of the Oklahoma Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, Ducks Unlimited who led the sporting-conservation community’s sign-on letter in support of the bill, and the ongoing educational efforts of ODWC. This victory is a testament to the accomplishments that sportsmen and women can achieve when working as a united force for our time-honored outdoor traditions.

States Involved: OK

ACTION ALERT – PROPOSED FISH AND WILDLIFE BOARD CHANGES THREATEN HUNTING, FISHING, AND TRAPPING IN VERMONT

ARTICLE CONTACT: FRED BIRD

Why It Matters: Introduced on January 12, 2024, Vermont Senate Bill 258 (S. 258) – An act relating to the management of Fish and Wildlife – proposes to transfer the authority to adopt rules for the taking of fish, wildlife, and fur-bearing animals from the Fish and Wildlife Board to the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Since its introduction, S. 258 has undergone many changes in the hopes that its sponsors would find a middle ground acceptable to fellow legislators and constituents alike. The bill recently passed the Senate and has now moved to the House, S. 258 remains a nonstarter for Vermont’s sporting community and the recently amended bill does nothing to address most of the major shortcomings of the original version, . The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) coordinated an action alert with a wide range of conservation partners asking sportsmen and women in Vermont to encourage their elected officials to oppose Senate Bill 258.

Highlights:

• 258 now changes the makeup of the Board from 14 to 15 members with one At Large member.
• The bill still allows for and demands “balanced viewpoints” which opens seats to individuals who are philosophically opposed to hunting, angling, and/or trapping a seat on the Board.
• 258 still calls for the VT Fish and Wildlife Board to be an Advisory Board, only.
• Finally, a complete ban on coyote hunting with bait or dogs (previously stand-alone legislation in prior sessions) is also included in S. 258.

Introduced on January 12, 2024, Vermont Senate Bill 258 (S. 258) – An act relating to the management of Fish and Wildlife – proposes to transfer the authority to adopt rules for the taking of fish, wildlife, and fur-bearing animals from the Fish and Wildlife Board to the Department of Fish and Wildlife. S 258 remains rife with language all Green Mountain State sportsmen and women should be alarmed about. In what is quickly becoming solidified as a perennial issue, the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s Board is once again the focus of scrutiny from non-sporting and anti-hunting influences. Having Board with members that are neutral on matters or even directly oppose hunting, trapping, and fishing leads to obstructionism which, in turn, will potentially restrict access and opportunity for sportsmen and women. The pressure for non-consumptive representation on game commissions directly threatens the future of conservation in Vermont.

Having undergone numerous changes via the amendment process, S. 258 remains antithetical to sound wildlife management and threatens the sporting community’s traditions, heritage, and how conservation is funded in the Green Mountain State. One only needs to look west to states like Oregon and Washington to observe examples of why such changes to commissions/boards become more than problematic. In those states, recent commission decisions have become outright hostile to sound wildlife management, turning conservation doctrine into preservationist goal setting.

Finally, and seemingly out of desperation, S. 258 still seeks to prohibit longstanding practices and traditions as it concerns the taking of coyotes with the aid of trained hounds and baiting practices. Both effective and ethical means of assisting take, prohibitions of such methods would disrupt the management practices of this predatory species. With no natural predators on the landscape, coyote management is left to sportsmen and women who elect to pursue such quarry at the direction of, and prescribed methodology from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, which includes both of the aforementioned means of assisting take.

The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation continues to work with the Vermont Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus to staunchly oppose this misguided legislation, and remains committed to thwarting efforts to subvert the mission and success of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board. CSF and its partners are asking for the sporting community to rally to the ACTION ALERT to make Vermonter’s voices heard in Montpelier.

States Involved: VT

KENTUCKY SENATE BILL 3 DEFEATED BY UNIFIED OPPOSITION FROM THE SPORTSMEN’S COMMUNITY

ARTICLE CONTACT: CONNER BARKER

Why It Matters: Kentucky would have been the first state in the country to place the management of its fish and wildlife agency under its Department of Agriculture and give all Wildlife Commissioner appointments to its Commissioner of Agriculture, which would have been a significant departure from how fish and wildlife resources have been managed since the early 20^th Century. National and in-state sporting conservation groups rallied to defeat the legislation which shows the importance of the sportsmen’s community working together to protect our pastimes and also underscores the importance of hunters and anglers to Kentucky’s culture and economy.

Highlights:

• Senate Bill 3 failed to pass the House of Representatives by March 28 and is dead for all intents and purposes.
• With the veto period now underway, even if Senate Bill 3 were to pass the House of Representatives when they reconvene in mid-April, the General Assembly would not have time to override an almost certain veto from Governor Beshear.
• The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) submitted multiple letters of opposition, testified in committee, coordinated an action alert with conservation partners, and coordinated with the Kentucky Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus (Caucus) to oppose Senate Bill 3.

Senate Bill 3 proposed to (1) administratively attach the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) to the Department of Agriculture and (2) authorize the Commissioner of Agriculture to appoint all members of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Commission. While agriculture and sporting communities share similar interests, agricultural priorities may conflict with professional, science-based fish and wildlife management, and CSF was concerned about the intrusion of agricultural interests into wildlife management.

The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation is widely recognized as one of the most successful models of wildlife conservation in the world, and one of its key components is that wildlife harvest is allocated by law, including regulatory decisions made by the KDFWR Commission. Through the “user pays – public benefits” structure of the American System of Conservation Funding, sportsmen and women largely pay for the management of public trust fish and wildlife resources.

Despite no sporting-conservation organization being consulted on the front end about Senate Bill 3, the community sprang to action to oppose the legislation. Not one sportsmen’s group supported Senate Bill 3. CSF would like to thank our conservation partners and the Caucus, particularly Caucus Chair Senator Robin Webb, for their support opposing this misguided legislation.

States Involved: KY

LEGISLATIVE RECAP FOR THE MOUNT RUSHMORE STATE

ARTICLE CONTACT: JAKE GOULD

Why It Matters: The legislative session in South Dakota provided no shortage of legislation that would have both positive and negative impacts on sportsmen and women. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) was active in supporting legislation that would ensure that responsible firearm owners can possess, transport, and use these important sporting tools, and was active in opposing legislation that would limit the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks (GFP) ability to purchase land.

Highlights:

• The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation was active in engaging on multiple pieces of legislation relevant to sportsmen and women during South Dakota’s legislative session.
• South Dakota House Bill 1180 (HB 1180) would have required GFP to seek legislative approval for all land purchases, ultimately crippling their ability to acquire land in a timely manner. Fortunately, HB 1180 was successfully killed.
• South Dakota Senate Bill 39 (SB 39), a form of firearm preemption legislation, prohibits homeowner’s associations from creating a patchwork of restrictions on firearms and ammunition. With support from CSF and partners in the sporting-conservation community, SB 39 passed and has been signed into law.

On March 26, the South Dakota Legislative Session adjourned for the year. Although this was a short session, CSF was active in engaging on and testifying on bills that were both positive and negative for sportsmen and women. While there were many opportunities for engagement this year, below are two of the most prominent highlights from the Mount Rushmore State.

As previously reported by CSF, HB 1180 would have required the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks (GFP) to seek legislative approval for all land purchases, which would have ultimately hindered their ability to quickly and efficiently acquire land from willing sellers. CSF submitted testimony in opposition to HB 1180 to the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. During the hearing, the Committee ultimately voted to table HB 1180, safeguarding GFP’s ability to acquire lands when opportunities become available and increase public land access, as well as increase their fish, wildlife, and habitat conservation efforts.

Also previously reported, CSF actively supported Senate Bill 39, a firearm preemption bill. SB 39 prohibits homeowner’s associations from restricting the possession and transportation of firearms or ammunition. Firearm preemption legislation, which has long been a priority for CSF, ensures that there is equal distribution of the law throughout the state, regardless of location. SB 39 moved quickly through the Senate and House, with overwhelming support, and was sent to the Governor’s desk for her signature. Governor Kristi Noem, a member and former Co-Chair of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus, signed the bill into law, ensuring that responsible firearm owners can continue to confidently possess, transport, and use these important sporting tools.

The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation applauds the members of the South Dakota Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, GSC Member Governor Noem, and our in-state partners for the collaborative effort of promoting policy that benefits sportsmen and women.

The legislative session in South Dakota provided no shortage of legislation that would have both positive and negative impacts on sportsmen and women. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation was active in supporting legislation that would ensure that responsible firearm owners can possess, transport, and use these important sporting tools, and was active in opposing legislation that would limit the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks (GFP) ability to purchase land.

States Involved: SD

HOUSE SET TO VOTE ON COMPREHENSIVE OUTDOOR RECREATION PACKAGE – EXPLORE ACT

ARTICLE CONTACT: TAYLOR SCHMITZ

Why It Matters:  Our nation’s vast network of federal public lands and water provide significant recreational opportunities for America’s sportsmen and women. The EXPLORE Act recognizes the importance of federal public lands for sportsmen and women by seeking to increase public access, streamlining recreational permitting processes, modernizing public land visitation data, and conserving important water systems for anglers and boaters.

Highlights:

• This week, the U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote on a comprehensive outdoor and recreation package known as the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act (H.R. 6492).
• H.R. 6492, led by Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chair and House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman, is strongly supported by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) and includes a few key provisions that are high priorities for CSF.
• This legislation will be considered under suspension of the rules, a sign of the wide-spread bipartisan support for this legislation.

Later this week the House of Representatives will vote on the bipartisan EXPLORE ACT, a comprehensive package to bolster access for sportsmen and women along with other users of public lands and waters.

The EXPLORE Act is a robust package that includes several important recreation provisions; however, one of the priorities of greatest interest to CSF is language that would improve recreational shooting opportunities. Specifically, the range access language in the EXPLORE Act would require the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to have a minimum of one free and public target shooting range in each of their respective districts.

The EXPLORE Act will also aid federal agencies in their efforts to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, which pose a serious threat to native aquatic ecosystems and the economy. Once established, aquatic invasive species are difficult, if not impossible, to eradicate, and significant resources must be invested annually on population management. Preventing harmful introductions before they occur is the most effective means to avoid the risk aquatic nuisance species present. For example, zebra mussels alone cause $300–$500 million in damages annually to power plants, water systems, and industrial water intakes in the Great Lakes Region.

Furthermore, this legislation includes language that will help improve future federal land agency planning decisions and would enhance user planning efforts for the public. Specifically, the Improved Recreation Visitation Data section directs certain federal land management agencies to capture various recreation visitation data. This section also establishes a real-time data pilot program to make available to the public real-time or predictive visitation data for federal lands, helping sportsmen and women with their trip planning efforts.

The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation is glad to see the EXPLORE Act being considered under suspension of the rules given the importance of outdoor recreation, including hunting, fishing, trapping, and recreational shooting.

MASSACHUSETTS SENATE BILL SEEKS TO SUPPORT DISCOUNTED OR FREE LICENSES THROUGH REIMBURSEMENT

ARTICLE CONTACT: FRED BIRD

Why It Matters: Introduced on February 16, 2024, Massachusetts Senate Bill 499 (MA S 499) – An Act to reimburse the George L. Darey Inland Fisheries and Game Fund, proposes to amend Section 11 of Chapter 131 of the General Laws, by adding a new sentence which would allow for the George L. Darey Inland Fisheries and Game Fund to be reimbursed annually from the general fund for all loss of revenue from discounted or free fishing or hunting licenses. License reimbursement is a top priority of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), and we are happy to see MA S 499 moving favorably in the Senate.

Highlights:

• MA S.499 – An Act to reimburse the George L. Darey Inland Fisheries and Game Fund, seeks to reimburse Inland Fisheries and Game Fund to prevent the loss of critical conservation funding.
• Massachusetts S.546 sought to provide similar funding in March 2021. Nearly a year later, S.546 reported favorably out of committed and referred to Senate Ways and Means. As of January 2, 2023, no further action had been taken. Given the history and progress on the matter, CSF is working to see MA S. 499 complete the legislative process and reach the Governor’s desk in 2024, accomplishing a significant win for conservation in the Bay State.
• States must receive a net revenue of $2.00 from each license sale to report a certified paid license that factors into the formula of how much Pittman-Robertson or Dingell-Johnson funding a state is eligible for. When license fees are eliminated completely, states lose out on this additional revenue in addition to the loss of the original cost of the license.

Introduced on February 16, 2024, Massachusetts Senate Bill 499 (MA S 499) – An Act to reimburse the George L. Darey Inland Fisheries and Game Fund, proposes to amend Section 11 of Chapter 131 of the General Laws, by adding a new sentence which would allow for the George L. Darey Inland Fisheries and Game Fund to be reimbursed annually from the general fund for all loss of revenue from discounted or free fishing or hunting licenses.

Revenue from sporting licenses is a crucial element for funding state fish and wildlife agencies’ conservation efforts across the nation. However, well-intentioned programs to offer free and discounted licenses to certain qualified individuals/groups have the potential to reap deteriorative effects on the agencies’ budgets. To prevent the loss of sportsmen-generated dollars for conservation funding, some states have enacted legislation to require reimbursements to the state fish and wildlife agencies from the general funds for any free and discounted licenses. Massachusetts is once again proposing good legislation in MA S.499 to ensure conservation funding in the Bay State is not negatively affected through noble intentions.

The Pittman-Robertson (PR) and Dingell-Johnson (DJ) Acts are two cornerstones of the American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF) that authorize federal funding for state fish and wildlife agencies to manage and restore wildlife resources. The distribution of these funds is formula-based and dependent on state size and the number of paid hunting and fishing license holders per state. This means that states that distribute free, and in some cases discounted licenses, are losing funds both from the initial revenue of license sales, as well as from funds that would have otherwise been apportioned through PR and DJ.

As a top priority issue for CSF, we look forward to working with the Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus to move MA S.499 through the legislative process and to deliver this legislation to the Governor for signature.

States Involved: MA

NUMEROUS ANTI-SPORTSMEN BILLS DEFEATED AND MARYLAND’S 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION ADJOURNS “SINE DIE”

ARTICLE CONTACT: KALEIGH LEAGER

Why It Matters: The 2024 Maryland Legislative Session adjourned, “Sine Die”, on Monday, April 8^th. With that, five anti-sportsmen bills the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) engaged on failed, of which two egregious anti-sportsmen bills died as they did not pass out of both chambers before the deadline. Senate Bill 983 (SB 983) would have started the process of a lead ammunition ban for all hunting in the Old-Line State. Additionally, House Bill 935 (HB 935) and Senate Bill 784 (SB 784) would have created an additional 5% excise tax on the sale of firearms, firearm accessories, and ammunition, in addition to the state’s 6% sales tax (totaling 11%) to provide funding for several programs including a physician services fund, trauma center funding, firearms violence prevention, and others.

Highlights:

• In Maryland, the 446^th session of the General Assembly convened in Annapolis Maryland on January 10^th, 2024, and adjourned, “Sine Die” on April 8^th, 2024.
• SB 983 sought to require the MD DNR to establish a certain process to phase out lead hunting ammunition on or before December 31, 2026. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) submitted a written letter of opposition as well as testified in person on February 27^th to fight this legislation.
• HB 935/SB 784 sought to impose an 11% excise tax on firearms, firearm accessories, and ammunition to fund several programs for medical services and violence prevention and intervention funds. CSF submitted a written letter of opposition to fight this legislation.
• SB 17/ HB 667 would have lumped hunting and fishing under animal cruelty language without recommended amendments offered by CSF. While those amendments were adopted, with the session adjourned, both bills have failed, and the Maryland sporting community will continue to enjoy time honored traditions without fear of becoming criminals.

In the letter of opposition for SB 983, CSF pointed out the long-term effects of a statutory ban on lead hunting ammunition and how it is detrimental to conservation funding, which is directly funded and supported by sportsmen and women. Additionally, CSF stated that “there is no shortage of proven-successful voluntary and incentive-based programs run by other states to encourage hunters to switch to lead alternatives that avoid these unintended, but foreseeable consequences.” CSF encouraged the legislature and the DNR to work together to implement incentive-based programs for the use of non-lead hunting ammunition by hunters if there exists demonstrable scientific evidence that such an effort is needed to address population-level impacts of lead exposure in specific wildlife species. CSF further recommended that such a program be developed and tested prior to any further consideration of a statutory ban on lead ammunition with its attendant and consequential diminishment of conservation funding.

Many legislatures are seeing a “copy and paste” effect of California’s “sin tax” legislation, imposing an 11% excise tax on the purchase of firearms and ammunition on the backs of law-abiding gun owners and sportsmen and women; Maryland was no exception. HB 935/SB 784 sought to implement and impose an additional 5% excise take to the states 6% sales tax (totaling 11%) to assist in funding several programs. The bill specified that 44% of the funds would be allocated to the Maryland Trauma Physician Services Fund, 29% to the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center at the University of Maryland Medical Center, 23% to the Violence Intervention and Prevention Program, 2% to the Survivors of Homicide Victims Grant Program within the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy, and 2% to the Center of Firearm Violence Prevention and Intervention with the Maryland Department of Health.

Finally with the adjourning 446^th session of the General Assembly, SB 17/ HB 667 would have lumped hunting and fishing under animal cruelty language without recommended amendments offered by CSF. While those amendments were adopted, with the session adjourned, both bills have failed, and the Maryland sporting community will continue to enjoy time honored traditions without fear of becoming criminals.

CSF thanks the Maryland’s Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus for keeping Maryland’s sportsmen and women in mind during this legislative session as well as promoting sound wildlife and fisheries management in the Old-Line State. CSF looks forward to continuing to work with the Caucus and planning for the 2025 Legislative Session, convening in January of 2025.

States Involved: MD