NASC Executive Council President Introduces Several CSF Priorities in Arkansas

Why It Matters: Though the sporting-conservation community often finds itself in a defensive position, there are opportunities to advance proactive measures to protect and advance our outdoor pursuits. In Arkansas, these opportunities have recently taken shape in the form of a resolution to celebrate the 75^th Anniversary of the Dingell-Johnson Act, and bills that would reimburse the state fish and wildlife agency for future license discounts and grant resident license pricing to exchange students attending school in the Natural State.

Highlights:

• NASC Executive Council President and Arkansas Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chair Representative Jeff Wardlaw has been hard at work introducing legislation to advance sportsmen priorities in the Natural State.
• This session, Representative Wardlaw has introduced Arkansas House Bill 1631 (resident license rates for foreign exchange students), House Bill 1632 (reimbursements for discounted licenses), House Resolution 1045 (celebrating the 75^th Anniversary of the Dingell-Johnson Act), and more.
• These efforts highlight some of the proactive opportunities available to pro-sportsmen legislators, particularly in states that are already incredibly supportive of the sportsmen’s community.

While the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s (CSF) efforts during legislative sessions in many states are dominated by the need to protect against anti-sportsmen legislation, CSF has been working hard to flip the script and go on the offensive. Working closely with key partners and engaged elected officials, including those who serve on the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC) Executive Council, CSF has developed an assortment of pro-sportsmen language designed to protect and advance our shared outdoor interests. In Arkansas, NASC Executive Council President and Arkansas Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chair Representative Jeff Wardlaw has been leading the charge to implement many of these priorities during the Natural State’s 2025 legislative session.

Last month, Representative Wardlaw introduced House Resolution 1045 which celebrates the 75^th Anniversary of the Sport Fish Restoration Program, better known as the Dingell-Johnson Act. This resolution is designed to commemorate the achievement of the Dingell-Johnson Act’s passage by Congress in 1950, as well as the investments in fisheries conservation efforts that have resulted from its adoption. HR 1045 was passed out of committee in the Arkansas House of Representatives and awaits further action on the House floor.

Earlier this month, Representative Wardlaw followed up with House Bills 1631 and 1632. HB 1631 would allow foreign exchange students attending school in Arkansas to apply for hunting and fishing licenses at the same rates paid by Arkansas residents. This incredible recruitment tool builds on existing allowances for non-resident, full-time college students to hunt and fish at resident license rates. HB 1632 would reimburse the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission for any revenue lost as a result of any new hunting or fishing license discounts created by the Arkansas Legislature. In recent years, legislators across the country have sought opportunities to reward deserving groups with free or discounted licenses. HB 1632 would allow that to take place in Arkansas without worrying about the unintended consequences for conservation funding that would result from the lost license revenue. In support of HB 1632, CSF shared a letter of support with members of the Arkansas Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus. HB 1631 and 1632 both await further action in the House’s State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee.

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