The end of Week Two in the Legislature saw a transition of sorts beginning to take place. The action is beginning to move from the committees of reference to the councils which oversee the broad range of bills in each subject matter. For issues dealing with environmental policy, these are in the Responsible Regulation Policy and Calendar Committee, chaired by Senator Lee Constantine, in the Senate. The Environment and Natural Resources Council, chaired by Representative Stan Mayfield, handles this for the House. It is anticipated, though not a certainty, that appropriation's bills (those that shape the state budget) will be heard in the third and fourth week of session. This is when the action really heats up and we begin to see whether or not much of what we are tracking is going to survive or fall by the wayside.
Because of its importance to FWF members and to hunters and anglers specifically, we want to keep you abreast of the latest action on legislation that would increase hunting and fishing license fees. If you are a regular reader of this weekly update, you are aware that the Federation is actively supporting this legislation. (See
Capital Watch Week One for more details). Preston Robertson, our General Counsel, and Lou Dombrova, an FWF board member and President of the Florida Snook Foundation, have been working tirelessly as advocates for language in the bill to ensure that new funds are used to support the betterment of the resource. Our goal is to see that hunter education is made more available to the next generation of outdoorsmen and to see that wildlife education and protection is enhanced by the proposals. The measure will be heard next in the House Environment and Natural Resources Council. The companion measure (SB 1982) passed the Senate Environmental Preservation Committee by a unanimous vote of 6-0 on March 8 and is now scheduled to go before the Senate Finance and Tax Committee.
In his State of the State Address, Governor Charlie Crist strongly stated his intent to make Florida a leader in addressing sustainable energy and Global Warming.In response, the Florida and National Wildlife Federations took the unusual step of publicly thanking the Governor for his bold initiatives by purchasing
a half page advertisement in the Tallahassee Democrat. An aide to the Governor said he saw and appreciated the kind words of encouragement. FWF President, Manley Fuller wrote
a guest editorial that appeared in the Orlando Sentinel further praising the Governor's leadership and vision on this issue.
On April 18 FWF and NWF are planning a Global Warming / Sustainable Energy Lobby Day at the Capitol in Tallahassee and we encourage all FWF members and those who have an interest in this subject to join us. More details of the event will be provided in next week's Capital Watch. FWF is watching a number of proposals that address both energy efficiency and sustainability. These bills range from incentives to buy energy efficient appliances to tax breaks and mandates for energy efficient construction. As we have previously reported, legislation is currently under consideration to create a Florida Climate Action Partnership, designed to focus political and business leadership on the problem of global climate change. As these bills move through the Legislature, we will report on the progress made.
