LEGISLATIVE UPDATE:
As noted previously, the crossover deadline was last week so it was rather hectic. Quite a contrast this week as legislators were slow in coming back with nothing going on legislatively regarding fisheries.
There will be a meeting next Tuesday of the House Wildlife Resources Committee. It’s a two-hour meeting for a discussion on chronic wasting disease.
Jerry
H-169, the bill to make the Loggerhead Sea Turtle the state reptile passed the House and in Senate Rules. No action in the Senate this week.
H-483: LET THEM SPAWN
Voted favorably 11-3 in Wildlife Resources on April 16th; now in Rules.
Should be dead as it did not make it through the House before crossover. But this is the Easter season, so we’ll be vigilant. No action this week.
NCFA OPPOSES H-483
H-486 COMMERCIAL FISHING LICENSE REFORMS
Voted favorably 6-4 in Wildlife Resources on April 16th; now in Finance.
This is similar to a bill filed last year, but it died in committee. This bill would eliminate the RCGL or recreational commercial gear license, would only allow one standard commercial license per person with person including corporation; doubles the license fees. We understand it was discussed in Republican caucus but unsure of status. No action this week.
NCFA OPPOSES H-486
S-517: PROTECT THE MILITARY/FISHERIES/TOURISM; by Senator Peterson
In Senate Rules. No action this week.
Would prohibit offshore drilling. Same as H-545 below.
S-554: MARINE FISHERIES REFORMS; by Senators Sanderson, Brown, Tillman and Steinburg
Passed on the Senate floor on May 7th, 46 to 1.
Now in the House Rules Committee. No action this week.
S-648: SUPPORT SHELLFISH AQUACULTURE; by Senators Sanderson, Rabon and Steinburg
Passed on the Senate floor on May 7th, 47 to 0.
Now in the House Rules Committee. No action this week.
H-545: PROTECT THE MILITARY/FISHERIES/TOURISM; by Rep. Harrison, Martin, Russell and others
No action this week: In the House Rules Committee. Same as S-517 above.
H-598: BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN AS STATE MARINE MAMMAL by Reps Hanig, Grange and others.
Passed the House and sent to the Senate.
In the Senate Rules Committee. No action in the Senate this week.
H-597: WILDLIFE RESOURCES COMMISSION AMENDS; sponsored by Adams, Henson, Wray, Yarborough and others.
Substantially raises license fees and makes changes in proclamation authority.
Passed the House Wildlife Resources Committee; Although given a favorable report by the Finance Committee on May 15th, there were concerns noted from some legislators. It is now in Rules and perhaps more discussions there.
H-809: SUPPORT SHELLFISH AQUACULTURE; McElraft, Yarborough, Shepard, Harrison and others.
Similar to S-648 mentioned above. In House Environment Committee.
Since S-648 passed the Senate and now in the House, no action will be taken on this bill.
H-810: MARINE FISHERIES REFORMS; Yarborough
Similar in name to S-554 and H-860 but NOT the same in content!
In House Rules Committee. No action this week.
NCFA opposes H-810.
H-860: MARINE FISHERIES REFORMS: Cleveland, McElraft, Butler
Similar to S-554.
In House Rules Committee.
Since S-554 passed the Senate and now in House, no action will be taken on this bill.
H-479: ERC STUDIES/SCOPE: Dixon
Provides legislative oversight of marine fisheries issues by the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources.
Passed the House and sent to the Senate.
In Senate Rules. No action this week.
THIRD DISTRICT CONGRESSIONAL RACE
The two top vote getters from the Republican Primary will be in a runoff on July 9th. They are Greg Murphy from Greenville and Joan Perry from Kinston. Joan Perry will be at next Monday’s meeting of the God and Country Christian Alliance. It will not be a debate, but a conversation. The meeting is open for all so a good opportunity to meet the candidate and see where she stands on the issues. The meeting begins at 7:00pm at Moore’s Old Thyme BBQ on Hwy 17 South in New Bern. No charge to attend unless you eat. Those who want to eat first are encouraged to arrive between 6:00 and 6:30.
If his schedule allows, candidate Greg Murphy will be at the June 17th meeting, same time and location.
The two candidates will participate in a debate in early July in Greenville. More details as we get them.