Legislative Update

I was able to attend the hearing for SB 5669 today and I couldn't have been more proud to be associated with all of my recreational angling brothers and sisters.  We showed up in big numbers, big enough in fact that we couldn't fit everyone in the room and many had to wait in the hallway.  Everyone that testified had well thought out points that were made very respectfully and those that didn't testify were seen and signed in to oppose this bill as written.  Way to go people!!

This was 20 minutes before the hearing and it was already packed. 

 As proud as I was of our side, I was disgusted when the commercial lobbyist Ed Owen felt the need to arrogantly proclaim that the people he repesented weren't great in numbers but had a lot of money.

Moving forward, Senator Ranker has called for a stakeholders meeting to discuss SB 5669 further.  This meeting will take place this Monday the 14th at 5:30 in Hearing Room #2.  I know this is Valentines Day but if you can make it, we need everyone there that can be.  The house will have a hearing as well at some point, stay tuned to The Outdoor Line for more on that. 

In my last blog, I talked about the coming HB 1717 which addresses the need to make mandatory lost gillnet reporting.  The senate version of this bill, SB 5661, will be heard on Monday the 14th at 1:30 in the afternooon.  The hearing will be held in the Senate Natural Resources Committee, Hearing Room #2.  We need everyone that can be there.  If you can't be there, and I hope you can, then please take a moment to email your senator, representative and the governor. Tell them to support these bills and make reporting of lost nets mandatory. 

On the cigar front, I was able to attend and testify the hearing for HB 1683 this morning as well.  I felt it was well recieved by the committee and hopefully this is the first step to adults in America being able to enjoy a legal product and share that pleasure with like minded people.  The lat word I got was that the senate will hear their version of the bill on Thursday the 17th.  See you there.