Your weekly look at how ASA’s government affairs team is hard at work supporting sound fisheries policies throughout the country.
Recovering America’s Wildlife Act Receives Bipartisan Support in U.S. Senate
The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA; S. 1149) is gaining momentum in the U.S. Senate. Last week an additional ten U.S. Senators, five Republicans, four Democrats and one Independent, were added as cosponsors of the legislation, which would dedicate $1.39 billion to state and tribal fish and wildlife agencies to implement science-based recovery plans. Use our Action Alert portal to send your Senators a message supporting this legislation today! Send a Message
Keep Florida Fishing Secures Wins in Tallahassee
The 2023 Florida legislative session concluded last week and provided some big wins to the recreational fishing industry in the state. This session, Keep Florida Fishing, ASA’s Florida advocacy arm, secured several legislative victories. These include a 2024 ballot initiative to enshrine the Right to Hunt and Fish, water quality initiatives and funding for restoration projects in the Everglades and the state’s coral reefs. Congrats to our team and supporters in the sunshine state! Learn more
Rep. Wittman’s Legislation in Support of Traditional Tackle Receives Hearing
On Wednesday, May 10th, Rep. Rob Wittman’s (R-Va.) Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act (H.R. 615) received a hearing before the U.S. House Natural Resource Committee’s Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries Subcommittee. If enacted, this legislation stops the U.S. Departments of Interior or Agriculture from arbitrarily banning the use of traditional lead tackle and ammo on federal lands. ASA is concerned about arbitrary tackle bans that don’t take science into account and supports this legislation. Learn more
New North Dakota Law Reduces Onerous Tournament Fees
Last week, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum (R-N.D.) signed HB 1538 into law. This legislation, which goes into effect in April 2024, eases tournament fees in the state and reduces them for nonprofit and charity tournaments, which are currently subject to a 10% fee on top of event permits. ASA worked with local and national partner organizations in providing testimony in support of this bill and is pleased to see its enactment into law! Learn more
About
The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is the sportfishing industry’s trade association committed to representing the interests of the sportfishing and boating industries as well as the entire sportfishing community. We give the industry and anglers a unified voice when emerging laws and policies could significantly affect sportfishing business or sportfishing itself. ASA invests in long-term ventures to ensure the industry will remain strong and prosperous, as well as safeguard and promote the enduring economic, conservation and social values of sportfishing in America. ASA also gives America’s 55 million anglers a voice in policy decisions that affect their ability to sustainably fish on our nation’s waterways through Keep America Fishing, our national angler advocacy campaign. America’s anglers generate nearly $50 billion in retail sales with a $125 billion impact on the nation’s economy creating employment for 800,000 people.