The Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation - March 9

[HOG]

The Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation - The Sportsmen's Link to Congress

State Matters
Volume 3, Number 3
March 9, 2005

In this Issue
Kentucky Legislators One Step Closer to Sportsmen's Caucus
Maryland Caucus Scores More Victories
Missouri Caucus Invited to Special Bass Pro Shops Grand Opening


Kentucky Legislators One Step Closer to Sportsmen's Caucus
Legislation to create the Kentucky Sportsmen's Caucus in the Kentucky Legislature is awaiting signature by the state's governor. Introduced by Representative Robin Webb (D-96) - a participant in the December 2004 National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses meeting - with 24 co-sponsors, House Concurrent Resolution 86 passed both the House and Senate unanimously. Governor Ernie Fletcher, a former Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus member, is expected to sign the bill when the Kentucky Legislature reconvenes on March 21st at which time legislators will formally create the caucus and elect co-chairs. Once official, Kentucky will become the 22nd state sportsmen's caucus affiliated with the NASC.

Maryland Caucus Scores More Victories
Due to the opposition of the Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus, two pieces of anti-sportsmen legislation were recently defeated in committee in the Maryland House of Delegates. House Bill 371 would have classified black bears as non-game mammals, putting an end to the black bear hunting season in Maryland that was opened just a year ago. House Bill 372 would have expanded the prohibition against using, setting, placing, or maintaining leg-hold traps to all persons statewide. Caucus Co-Chair, Delegate Chuck Boutin (R-34A) cited the defeat of these two bills as excellent examples of the importance of an effective sportsmen's caucus to defend against attacks on our outdoor heritage and promote a pro-sportsmen agenda. Other noteworthy news from Maryland, the annual Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus Dinner was held on February 17 and was attended by a record number of sportsmen enthusiasts, including Maryland Governor and former Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus member
Bob Ehrlich. The event raised $70,000 for the Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Foundation.

Missouri Caucus Invited to Special Bass Pro Shops Grand Opening
NASC Founding Partner Bass Pro Shops is expanding its presence with a new store in Columbia, Missouri and has invited members of the Missouri Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus for a special grand opening dinner and preview of the store. To further solidify their commitment to the state caucus effort, Bass Pro Shops will donate a portion of all sales during the grand opening event to the Missouri Sportsmen's Caucus. The NASC thanks Bass Pro Shops for their continued dedication to the protection of our outdoor heritage nationwide and is excited to showcase the healthy working relationships that our state caucuses have with our partners in outdoor industry.



National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses
110 North Carolina Ave. SE
Washington, DC 20003
202-543-6907 - www.statesportsmenslink.org

[turk2di]

So what does this mean? Enlighten me, im learning.

[Highbow]

Hog, Who Will Have The Power Of Appointing Or Electing The Officials For The State Caucus?

[schuyler olt]

When we were at the first meeting a few weeks ago at the Capitol, it was explained that the leadership would be bipartisan, and that there would be co-chairs from the House and Senate. In other words, the House side would have two co-chairs, one Republican and one Democrat, and the Senate would be the same.

The membership of the Caucus solely consists of legislators. They will select their leadership, as all the other legislative caucuses do.

I do not know who the leaders will be. For all I know, they may already be selected--I'm out of the loop on that score, sorry.

[HOG]

Thanks Sky. I was busy trying to find out the "REAL" way it was to be done. I would not have wanted to give out information that was speculative on my part. Some time help comes without asking, Thank Goodness.

[Highbow]

Thanks Sky & Hog, I wasn't sure either on the process and I just wanted to learn something this week.

[turk2di]

Will this Caucus have any responsibilities or simply a think tank?