Anti-hunting California Bill Defeated
DSC is pleased to announce that SB 1175 was defeated on Aug. 31 in the California Assembly. Among other things, SB 1175 sought to ban the import of several African species as well as their possession in the state of California. This bill was a gross overstep by Senator Stern and his animal rights supporters, as it benefitted California’s wildlife in no way. Thankfully, SB 1175 died before a concurrence of amendments vote could be taken. DSC proudly worked alongside others to oppose this legislation and stands prepared to engage on all federal and state-level attempts purporting to support wildlife conservation by an import ban.
Utah Ballot Hold Constitutional Right to Hunt and Fish
Utah voters will have several amendments to vote on this year, including one to establish the right to hunt or fish in the state. Passing this amendment would declare hunting and fishing as the preferred way to manage and control wildlife populations. If passed, Utah would join 22 other states in the U.S. in providing constitutional protections for hunting and fishing. The measure would take effect Jan. 1, 2021. House Joint Resolution 15, sponsored by Rep. Casey Snider, was filed in early February and went through Utah’s House and the Senate before making it onto ballots this November.
NY Signs Two Pro-hunting Bills
In late August, two pro-sportsmen’s bills were signed into law in New York. One bill expands the use of rifles for hunting big game within Tompkins County, joining 58 other upstate New York counties that already granted such permission. This bill endured both strong criticism and strong bipartisan support, thus sparking much debate along the way. The other important bill allows certified 4-H instructors to lead the firearms instruction of youth under the age of 16-years-old. Democrat Assembly Member Carrie Woerner was pleased to announce that her bill will “increase the number of qualified shooting instructors in the state and clarify the state’s certification requirements.”
Sources: Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation and Fox13 Salt Lake City
