Lc 1162 - Cougar Bill for 2015 session

Thought I would share this from another hunting site. Please get your emails sent off and watch for updates!



SUMMARY
Provides that county is exempt from applicability of statute banning use of dogs to hunt or pursue cougars if voters approve county measure proposed by initiative petition or referred to people by governing body of county.

A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to county elections concerning methods of taking wildlife; and providing for criminal sentence reduction that requires approval by a two-thirds majority.

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
SECTION 1.
(1) A county is exempt from the applicability of the provisions of ORS 498.164 related to cougars if a county measure is approved that exempts the county from the applicability of the provisions of ORS 498.164 related to cougars. The measure may be proposed by initiative petition, or referred to the people by the governing body of the county, at an election held on a date specified in ORS 203.085 (1).
(2) A county that is exempt from the applicability of the provisions of ORS 498.164 related to cougars pursuant to subsection (1) of this section shall notify the State Department of Fish and Wildlife.
(3) The exemption of a county under this section does not affect the authority of the State Fish and Wildlife Commission to manage cougars in the county under any other provision of the wildlife laws.



Assuming the bill is assigned to committee(s) by the Senate President upon (presumptively) passage in the House, the Chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources will be the one who sets the calendar for it to be heard; that was the roadblock last time.



A good thing to do right now would be to express your support of the Bill LC 1162. I am sure that many of the hunting groups will be keeping their members updated on the bills progress. A helpful tip for letter writing is to use your own words, form letters are easier but taking a few minutes to express your thoughts has more impact than a form letter. You can also ask your representative if there is a list that could be put on for updates on the bill. Below are some links that might be helpful;


Legislature home;

https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/

List of OR Senators and contact info;

https://www.oregonle....natorsAll.aspx


Interim Committee on Environment and Natural Resources;

https://olis.leg.sta..../SENR/Overview


List of OR Representatives and contact info;

https://www.oregonle....ativesAll.aspx

Governors Office;

http://www.oregon.go...ouropinion.aspx

ODFW Commission;

[email protected]

Don't forget about these bills either:

LC 400 - Constitutional amendment to hunt, fish and trap

SUMMARY
Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution establishing right to hunt, to fish, to trap and to harvest wildlife, and to use traditional methods to hunt, fish, trap and harvest wildlife.
Refers proposed amendment to people for their approval or rejection at next regular general election.

LC 1435 - Statewide Predator Management Plan Study

SUMMARY
Requires State Department of Fish and Wildlife to study developing predator management plan for State of Oregon and to report to interim committees of Legislative Assembly on or before September 15, 2016. Sunsets January 2, 2017.