Why It Matters: Quagga mussels, initially detected in the Snake River in September 2023, prompted rapid treatment and mitigation efforts that included limiting access to the waterway. Supported by Idaho Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-chairs, Senate Bill 1372 added $6.6 million in funding towards detection, treatment, and eradication of aquatic invasive species. Early detection and treatment …
Why It Matters: Recent detections of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in Idaho County, Idaho, amplified the need for proactive CWD testing and mitigation efforts in the Pacific Northwest. As a result, the neighboring state of Oregon is seeking to increase its surveillance and testing efforts. This process can be costly, and funding is needed to …
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 …
House of Representatives OKs Pair of Firearm Bills in OK Read More »
Why It Matters: In the Garden State, successfully passing pro-sportsmen and women’s legislation is an uphill battle. New Jersey Senator and Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chair, Parker Space, continues to be a champion for sportsmen and women and because of his dedication, he was awarded with the New Jersey Outdoor Alliances (NJOA) Conservation Leadership Award. NJOA …
New Jersey Caucus Co-Chair Honored with Conservation Leadership Award Read More »
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 …
ACE Reauthorization Act, CSF Top Priority, Passes Senate Committee Unanimously Read More »
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 …
Why It Matter: The National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC) is a unique network of pro-sportsmen state legislators from across the country. Given the connection that state legislators share directly with their constituents, opportunities to engage NASC in federal conversations provides an opportunity to further demonstrate support for our time-honored outdoor traditions at both the …
NASC Legislators from 41 States Weigh in on Farm Bill Debate Read More »
Why It Matters: 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. …
Why It Matters: Introduced on February 28, 2024, Maine Legislative Docket 2238 (LD 2238) An Act to Address Gun Violence in Maine By Requiring a Waiting Period for Certain Firearm Purchases, is legislation that imposes a minimum three-day waiting period on the transferring of a firearm. On March 7, 2024, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) …
Maine Lawmakers Look to Institute 72-Hour Waiting Period on Firearms Transfers Read More »
Why It Matters: Gun issues and hunting issues are fundamentally intertwined, and when attacks on firearms are made in a legislature, it is important for sportsmen and women to take notice. Legislation looking to regulate firearms and firearms owners are often used as vectors of attack for other issues affecting our hunting traditions and culture. …
Why It Matters: The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), like all state fish and wildlife management agencies, relies in-part on revenue collected from hunting and fishing license sales. Recently introduced legislation would offer discounted fishing license fees to seniors while balancing this important pillar of conservation funding. Highlights: Legislators frequently introduce bills that would …
Why It Matters: Despite existing security and reporting requirements on Federal Firearms License (FFL) holders, a bill is making its way through Washington State that would add onerous restrictions on firearms businesses. During recent testimony, licensed firearms dealers warned that these proposed restrictions will put them out of business. Should FFL locations begin closing as …
Washington State FFL Restrictions Heading to the Governor’s Desk Read More »
Why It Matters: Habitat is the driving force behind healthy fish and wildlife populations. At a time when fish and wildlife habitats across the nation continue to become fragmented and degraded, the America’s Wildlife Habitat Conservation Act authorizes crucial funding to proactively conserve species before more costly measures are necessary. This legislation also codifies existing …
CSC Co-Chair Rep. Westerman Introduces Comprehensive Fish and Wildlife Habitat Bill Read More »
Why It Matters: Maryland Senate Bill 983 seeks to require the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to create a lead hunting ammunition phase-out plan and ammunition verification process by December 31, 2026. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) encouraged the legislature and the Department of Natural Resources to work together to instead consider implementing voluntary, …
CSF Testifies in Opposition to Maryland’s Proposed Lead Ammo Ban Read More »
Why It Matters: Mississippi continues to fight challenges such as the rapid spread of Chronic Wasting Disease and legislative initiatives aimed at giving groups free/discounted hunting and fishing licenses which threatens the success of the American System of Conservation. Additionally, it is paramount that the Mississippi Legislature works in lockstep with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, …
CSF Spearheads Coalition Letter Supporting Conservation Legislation in Mississippi Read More »
Why It Matters: The acquisition of hunting and fishing licenses should not be an overly complicated process. However, as license frameworks evolve over time and more licenses are added, it is easy for hunters, anglers, and trappers to become confused when trying to ensure that they are properly licensed. Fortunately, sportsmen and women in the …
Why It Matters: Introduced on January 3, 2024, New Hampshire House Bill 1186 (HB 1186) – An Act Relative to Firearm Purchaser’s Privacy, seeks to protect Granite Staters from being tracked or halted by financial institutions when purchasing firearms and ammunition. HB 1186 was referred to the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee on …
Debate Looms Over Merchant Codes in the Granite State Read More »
Why It Matters: Public access to public lands and waters is critical to maintaining opportunities for hunting, fishing, trapping, and recreational shooting. GPS and other technologies have significantly changed how sportsmen and women navigate public lands as well as their ability to identity new lands for recreational access that may previously have been unknown or …
CSC Members Introduce Keep Public Lands in Public Hands Act Read More »
Why It Matters: Every year bills are introduced that would allow individuals to purchase a free or heavily discounted hunting and/or fishing license. House Bill 300 would require that the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) be reimbursed for any lost revenue resulting from the issuance of free or discounted hunting and fishing …
Why It Matters: Though their legislative session started later than many other states, Oklahoma has wasted little time moving several key pieces of legislation that will be important to sportsmen and women. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) is working closely with in-state partners and members of the Oklahoma Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus to protect and advance …