Contact: Joe Mullin, Northeastern States Manager Why it Matters: Sportsmen and women have played a crucial role in funding conservation efforts in the United States for over 80 years. The American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF), a “user pays – public benefits” structure in which those who consumptively use public resources pay for the privilege,…
Highlights Why it Matters: Throughout regular sessions, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) worked hand-in-hand with the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses network, members of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus, state fish and wildlife agencies, and in-state and national partner organizations to promote and advance policies that celebrate our nation’s time-honored sporting traditions. Coordinated efforts between CSF…
Contact: Brent Miller, Senior Director, Northeastern States After missing their mark in previous years, anti-sportsmen driven legislation to ban hunting contests has resurfaced in Maryland. This year’s effort comes in the form of Senate Bill 200 (SB 200) and House Bill 293 (HB 293) which would prohibit hunting tournaments for foxes, coyotes, and raccoons when…
Contact: Brent Miller, Senior Director, Northeastern States On February 4, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) was joined by 26 national and in-state conservation partners in submitting a letter opposing two bills in Maryland (House Bill 490 and House Bill 594). Both of these bills would authorize the sale of wild venison and undermine the dedicated…
Contact: Brent Miller, Senior Director, Northeastern States and States Program Administrator On July 2, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced that it would be awarding funds for 43 projects to “enhance and improve public boating access facilities, water safety, and navigation throughout the state.” The grants will be allotted during the State’s 2021…
Contact: Brent Miller, Senior Director, Northeastern States and States Program Administrator On January 27, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) Senior Director of Northeastern States met with leaders and members of the bipartisan and bicameral Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus at an organizational meeting in Annapolis, MD. The Caucus is Co-Chaired by Delegate Ned Carey and Senator Jack Bailey, and the Vice-Chairs…
By Brett Stayton, Mid-Atlantic States Coordinator On February 19, the Maryland Senate Committee on Health, Education, and the Environment held a hearing on several bills, including SB 390, which would authorize the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to allow deer hunting on Sundays throughout the appropriate season. This would apply to private land and…
By Brett Stayton, Mid-Atlantic States Coordinator On February 12, the Maryland Senate Committee on Health, Education, and Environmental Affairs convened to hear testimony on several pieces of legislation, including a bill that would authorize the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to allow for migratory game bird hunting on Sundays during the open season on…
By Brett Stayton, Mid-Atlantic States Coordinator Senator Jack Bailey, a newly appointed Co-Chair of the Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, recently introduced two bills aimed at expanding Sunday hunting opportunities for both deer and waterfowl, SB 293 and SB 390. SB 293 would authorize the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to allow for migratory game…
By Brett Stayton, Mid-Atlantic States Coordinator The bipartisan and bicameral Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus has announced the addition of two newly elected Senators to serve in a leadership capacity for the 2019 legislative session – Senator Jack Bailey and Senator Katie Fry Hester. Delegate Wendell Beitzel, a member of the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses…
By Brett Stayton, Mid-Atlantic States Coordinator On April 24, Governor Larry Hogan, a member of the Governor’s Sportsmen’s Caucus, signed both Senate Bill 182 and House Bill 7 into law. Senate Bill 182 was sponsored by Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chair, and Past President of the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses Executive Council, Senator John…
By Brett Stayton, Mid-Atlantic States Coordinator On March 15, HB 7, sponsored by Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Delegate Johnny Mautz, passed the Senate with a unanimous vote of 47-0. The legislation would provide a tax credit of $50 to individuals who donate a deer to a venison donation program or food shelter. The tax…