Legislator files an idea, then someone will turn that idea into a bill.
Every bill gets a number and is assigned to a committee.
Chairman gets the list, he will call a resource committee meeting when there is enough legislation to warrent a meeting.At the meeting interested parties may attend and sometimes they will be asked questions by comm chair.Then they take a vote, to either bring out of committee or just let it lay there.It's not dead just dormant.If it passes the committee vote it will be put on the agenda of house or senate.Any bill not out of committee by first week of March is pigeoned holed and dead for session.
If house & senate have similar legislation they have a joint committee meeting to hammer out a single piece.
Not every comm. member will answer emails, so that is why it's very important for those people whos rep or senator is on the comm to make calls and send emails.At the same time everyone should be writng their reps, they all talk back and forth.If a non committee member is hearing from their constituents you can bet the comm will hear about it.
People want and need information. Every year there will be legislation brought up that will set the tone for the whole year.If you can stop these keys bills a lot of this stuff will naturally go away. Just wish I was better at picking out those key pieces of legislation.
Very seldom does a bill just fly though.It is a drawn out process that just has to run its course.
Thanks to all that get involved, try to recruit a couple friends, start your own email lists when you get an update pass it on to them. Some people have had issues with the IBA or me or just don't want to be bothered by either.If that's the case find another group that is involved and get on their list.
As hunters( deer,duck,pheasant, trappers) don't matter what you hunt, you need to be involved.If we continue to be passive about our sport we will get steam rolled by special interest groups. Once it's gone it not coming back.
I hate doing this but it's a necessary evil, to maintain what we all love to do.All any of us want to do is hunt, but to do that we all have to put in some time in the off season to protect our hunting heritage. There is no shortage of people trying to get rid of us.We are all passionate about what we do, we just need to do a better job of conveying that to other people(non hunters,legislators, anyone who will listen.)
Sorry to ramble.
