CSF and NASC Host Successful Southern Legislative Forum and Reception in the Palmetto State

• On July 10, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) and the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC) held a policy forum and reception in Charleston, South Carolina during the 77^th Annual Council of State Goverments’ Southern Legislative Conference.
• Speakers discussed the Farm Bill reauthorization and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) proposed vessel speed limit rule.
• More than 100 guests, including approximately 70 state legislators representing 11 states (AL, AR, GA, KY, LA, MS, MO, NC, SC, TN, and WV), were in attendance to discuss these and other important issues impacting sportsmen and women in the South.

Why it Matters: 2023 legislative sessions in most Southern states are complete or are nearing completion, and this policy-centric event not only brought attention to two important federal issues that have an impact at the state level, but also provided a venue for NASC Caucus Members to interact with fellow pro-sportsmen legislators from other states and reflect on policy successes and ongoing challenges facing the conservation sporting community.

Kentucky Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chair and NASC Executive Council Member Senator Robin Webb kicked off the event by discussing the importance of NASC Members working together in their respective states, and in conjunction with other NASC Caucuses, to protect sporting traditions and the economic and conservation funding benefits that sportsmen and women provide to the public at large.

John Culclasure, CSF Director of Southeastern States and Forest Policy, discussed CSF’s priorities for the Farm Bill reauthorization. The Farm Bill is a critical piece of federal legislation that authorizes numerous programs that support conservation, active forest management, and sportsmen’s public access. CSF has been actively engaging on the Farm Bill, including hosting a fly-in in May, and working with the NASC Executive Council to convey their support for robust investments in the Farm Bill’s conservation programs.

South Carolina Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Senator Chip Campsen and CEO of the South Carolina Boating and Fishing Alliance Gettys Brannon spoke in detail about NOAA’s proposed vessel speed limit rule and the negative impacts to the boating and fishing communities that would result if the rule is implemented. These speakers also elucidated how this issue affects the entire region, as it would not only impact boaters and anglers in coastal states, as boat, fishing tackle, and related manufacturers from other states, in addition to tourists who travel to the coast, would also be impacted.

Attendees were also encouraged to attend the much anticipated 20^th Annual NASC Sportsmen Legislator Summit. The theme for this year’s conference is From Sea to Sea: A Nationwide Commitment to America’s Sporting-Conservation Future, and the conference isscheduled to take place December 5-8, 2023 in Dewey Beach, Delaware.

CSF would like to thank Reynolds American, Ducks Unlimited, the South Carolina Boating and Fishing Alliance, and the South Carolina Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus for sponsoring the event.