bowhuntaz1 Report post Posted March 17, 2010 I just got this email 2 minutes ago... To view as a webpage, click here You're receiving this email because you are a member of Arizona Sportsmen for Wildlife Conservation, or a member of one of our sponsoring member organizations or county affiliates. There is no charge for membership. If you do not wish to receive this in the future, choose the opt out. You may unsubscribe if you no longer wish to receive our emails. SPORTSMEN'S ACTION NETWORK Newsletter March 16, 2010 ______________________________________________________ OUR MISSION: To make Arizona sportsmen an effective force in determining political, legislative, educational and administrative issues that promote wildlife, wildlife habitat, and continuation of our hunting and fishing traditions. Three Commissioners Slam SB1200! Re: Response to Commission position supporting HB2169 and opposing SB1200 Anyone receiving this notification has probably already seen a release put out for the Arizona Game & Fish Commission by the Arizona Game & Fish Department. Too bad some on the Commission chose to use department resources to wage a political war on some of its more important constituents; but no surprises here because the commission appointments of our former governor have shown a propensity to do just that. It is also important to point out that this commission decision is a split vote (3 - 2). Commissioners Jack Husted and John Harris, appointed by Governor Brewer, are in the minority on this vote. Special thanks needs to be given to both Mr. Husted and Mr. Harris for their open-minded and fair read of this legislation. A special thanks also needs to be given to Governor Brewer for her willingness to support a possible change in the commission selection process. Let's clear up one very important issue raised in the release. HB 2619 is a very good step, but not a "cure all" for the problem of fair representation on the commission. HB 2619 is needed to make the process of appointing commissioners much more transparent and gives all constituents access to the selection of commissioners. We are pleased that the entire commission can support this legislation! SB 1200 and its identical version in the House, HB 2189, are squarely in the sights of three commission members (Martin, Freeman and Woodhouse). If passed, this legislation would establish a five member board to search statewide for possible commission candidates. After a complete vetting of all of those interested in being on the Commission, the board would advance not less than two or more than five names to the governor. The governor would then select a commission nominee from this list. As of now a governor can nominate anyone to set on the Commission. Once nominated the prospective commissioner must go through senate confirmation. Under the new legislation the governor would be limited to one of the choices advanced by the board. The oversight of senate confirmation would remain under the new legislation. Having watched the commission selection process for decades, we see a great advantage in having a board search statewide for possible commission nominees. We are confident more potential nominees will come forward under this search. This process should also broaden statewide representation on the Commission. We have counties who have not had a commission representative for decades; this is both unfair and unnecessary. The real rub for the three commissioners opposing SB 1200/HB 2189 is the make-up of the board. Three of the five members would come from various sportsmen, wildlife conservation or shooting organizations, one from a ranching organization, and one at large seat or non-game organization. For the hunters, anglers, shooters, and boaters who pay for approximately 70% of the department's budget, this make-up seems in line with the amount of their contributions. However, this is where the three commissioners take exception! Our contributions do not buy us any more than all other constituents are entitled to; they even question exactly how much we really contribute. Commissioner Freeman challenges the department's own figures and attacks us for using what they gave us! Why? The Commission and the Department need to settle this among themselves and not take us to task over their data! In the press release, terms such as "...could threaten the current commission system...", "...dangerously polarizes an already delicate political process...", "...the majority of our stakeholders are disenfranchised and most Arizonans are left out..." are used. These phrases are devised to incite fear and anger, and are not reflective of the individuals and organizations who are working to pass this legislation. Never has any of the notorious band of 6,000, singled out by some on the Commission, ever done anything to attack or disrupt the mission of the agency; instead we have been some the best partners the Commission and Department has ever had. For decades organizations like the Sierra Club, Center for Biological Diversity, Animal Defense League, Earth Guardians, Defenders of Wildlife and others have forced their agendas into wildlife management. Through regulation, litigation or the initiative process, in the case of trapping, these groups have changed the face of wildlife management. They have had a tremendous effect on the way the Commission and Department does business. To save ourselves, we must inject sportsmen back into all aspects of the wildlife management process and not merely focus on what we can do for wildlife. In our system of government, individuals and representatives of various groups stand before, legislatures, commissions, boards, councils, agencies, etc., to advocate positions and seek policy directives. Not all of our citizens choose to do this; in fact the great majority often chooses not to be involved. While we openly admit that we do not represent all sportsmen, we do represent a great number of active sportsmen and sportsmen conservation organizations. We also believe that we are in-step with the great majority of sportsmen; and if they observed what we have seen the past few years, the Commission and Department would have to deal with a lot more than our 6,000 members. We are at a point in the legislative process where you can make a difference. Those of us who work daily with the department are asking you to support us and SB 1200 and HB 2189 and HB 2619. We are not seeking to throw out the commission system; we are seeking to preserve it. At the same time, some changes must be made to keep it working for all of those who actively support the Department and its mission. If you do not get involved now, others will make the decision for you, and tomorrow could be too late. Ask your Representatives and Senator to vote YES on SB 1200, HB 2189 and HB 2619. Sincerely, Pete Cimellaro Text of HB2189 (with Amendments) Forty-ninth Legislature Second Regular Session Proposed House of Representatives Amendments to H.B. 2189 (Reference to printed bill) Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert: "Section 1. Title 17, chapter 2, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, Is amendmed by adding section 17-202, to read: 170in Arizona game and fish commission appointment recommendation board A. THE ARIZONA GAME AND FISH COMMISSION APPOINTMENT RECOMMENDATION BOARD IS ESTABLISHED CONSISTING OF MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AND SECTION 38-21 WHO HAS BEEN A RESIDENT OF THIS STATE FOR AT LEAST FIVE YEARS. THE BOARD SHALL CONSIST OF ONE PERSON FROM EACH OF THE FOLLOWING QUALIFYING GROUPS: 1. ONE MEMBER DESIGNATED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF AN ORGANIZATION THAT IS QUALIFIED PURSUANT TO SECTION 501©3 OR 501©4 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE, WHOSE MEMBERSHIP CONSISTS OF A SIGNIFICANT CROSS-SECTION OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND SPORTSMEN ORGANIZATIONS FROM THROUGHOUT THE STATE, THAT DOES NOT HAVE AN AFFILIATION OR CHARTER WITH A NATIONAL WILDLIFE CONSERVATION OR SPORTSMAN'S ORGANIZATION AND THAT HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOR AT LEAST FIVE YEARS. 2. ONE MEMBER DESIGNATED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF AN ORGANIZATION THAT IS QUALIFIED PURSUANT TO SECTION 501©3 OR 501©4 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE WHOSE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OR BYLAWS STIPULATE THAT THE MISSION OR PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION IS TO INCREASE, SUSTAIN OR OTHERWISE CONSERVE WILD TURKEY, DEER, ELK, PRONGHORN (ANTELOPE), BIGHORN SHEEP, DUCKS, QUAIL AND FISH AND THAT HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOR AT LEAST FIVE YEARS. 3. ONE MEMBER DESIGNATED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF AN ORGANIZATION THAT IS QUALIFIED PURSUANT TO SECTION 501©3 OR 501©4 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE WHOSE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OR BYLAWS DEFINE IT AS A SPORTSMAN'S ORGANIZATION WHOSE MEMBERSHIP IS PRIMARILY CONFINED TO A SPECIFIC GEOGRAPHIC AREA OR REGION OF THE STATE OR AN ORGANIZATION DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH 2 OF THIS SUBSECTION OR IS A CHAPTER OR AFFILIATE OF A NATIONAL SPORTSMAN'S CONSERVATION OR SHOOTING ORGANIZATION AND THAT HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOR AT LEAST FIVE YEARS. 4. ONE MEMBER DESIGNATED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF AN ORGANIZATION THAT IS QUALIFIED PURSUANT TO SECTION 501©3 OR 501©4 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE THAT IS STATEWIDE, WHOSE MEMBERSHIP IS COMPRISED OF CATTLEMEN OR RANCHERS AND THAT HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOR AT LEAST FIVE YEARS. 5. ONE MEMBER OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC OR ONE MEMBER OF A NON GAME ORGANIZATION THAT IS QUALIFIED PURSUANT TO SECTION 501©3 OR ©4 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. B. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED BY LAW, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD SERVE FIVE YEARS TERMS OF OFFICE. A BOARD MEMBER MUST MAINTAIN CONTINUOUS MEMBERSHIP IN THE ORGANIZATION THE MEMBER REPRESENTED WHEN APPOINTED DURING THE ENTIRE TERM OF OFFICE. THE GOVERNOR MAY REMOVE A MEMBER OF BOARD FOR INEFFICIENCY, CONFLICT OF INTEREST, NEGLECT OF DUTY OR MISCONDUCT IN OFFICE AND REPLACE THE MEMBER WITH AN INDIVIDUAL FROM THE SAME ORGANIZATION REPRESENTED BY THE FORMER MEMBER. IF A BOARD MEMBER DIES, RESIGNS OR IS REMOVED FROM OFFICE, THE GOVERNOR SHALL APPOINT AN INDIVIDUAL TO FILL THE VACANCY WITHIN THIRTY DAYS FROM THE SAME ORGANIZATION REPRESENTED BY THE FORMER MEMBER. C. THREE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD CONSTITUTE A QUORUM. MEETINGS OF THE BOARD SHALL BE HELD AT THE ARIZONA GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT MAIN OFFICE OR AT A REGIONAL OFFICE AS DETERMINED BY THE BOARD. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ISSUE A PUBLIC NOTICE AT LEAST ONE WEEK BEFORE THE MEETING. D. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR COMPENSATION FRO THEIR SERVICES OR REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES. E. THE BOARD SHALL ASSIST THE GOVERNOR BY INTERVIEWING, EVALUATING AND RECOMMENDING CANDIDATES TO FILL VACANCIES ON THE ARIZONA GAME AND FISH COMMISSION AS FOLLOWS: 1. AFTER THE GOVERNOR'S CALL FOR APPLICATION FOR AN OPEN POSITION ON THE COMMISSION AND THE APPLICATION PERIOD IS CLOSED, THE GOVERNOR SHALL DELIVER A FINAL LIST OF THE APPLICANTS TO THE BOARD WITHIN FIVE DAYS AFTER THE CLOSE OF THE APPLICATION PERIOD. THE BOARD SHALL REVIEW THE LIST OF APPLICANTS AND THE APPLICATION SUBMITTED BY EACH APPLICANT AND PROCEED TO INTERVIEW, EVALUATE AND RECOMMEND CANDIDATES AS PROVIDED BY THIS SUBSECTION. 2. IF THE BOARD IS CONSIDERING CANDIDATES TO FILL THE OFFICE OF A COMMISSION MEMBER SHOSE DESIGNATED TERM IS ABOUT TO EXPIRE: (a) ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 15 OF EACH YEAR, THE BOARD SHALL HOST A PUBLIC FORUM TO INTERVIEW THE COMMISSION CANDIDATES. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ISSUE A NOTICE OF THE PUBLIC FORUM AT LEAST FIVE DAYS BEFORE THE SCHEDULED DATE OF THE FORUM. ( ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 25, THE BOARD SHALL RECOMMEND AT LEAST TWO, BUT NO MORE THAN FIVE, CANDIDATES FROM THE GOVERNOR'S FINAL LIST OF CANDIDATES. THE GOVERNOR MUST SELECT AND APPOINT A COMMISSIONER FROM THE LIST SUBMITTED BY THE BOARD. 3. IF THE BOARD IS CONSIDERING CANDIDATES FOR A VACANCY RESULTING FROM A COMMSSION MEMBER'S DEATH, RESIGNATION OR REMOVAL FROM OFFICE: (a) NOT LATER THAN TWO WEEKS AFTER RECEIPT OF THE FINAL LIST OF COMMISSION CANDIDATES FROM THE GOVERNOR, THE BOARD SHALL HOST A PUBLIC FORUM TO INTERVIEW THE CANDIDATES. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ISSUE A NOTICE OF THE PUBLIC FORUM AT LEAST FIVE DATS BEFORE THE SCHEDULED DATE OF THE FORUM. ( WITHIN ONE WEEK AFTER THE PUBLIC FORUM, THE BOARD SHALL RECOMMEND AT LEAST TWO, BUT NO MORE THAN FIVE, CANDIDATES FROM THE GOVERNOR'S FINAL LIST OF CANDIDATES. THE GOVERNOR SHALL SELECT AND APPOINT A COMMISSIONER FROM THE LIST SUBMITTED BY THE BOARD. E. THE BOARD SHALL ASSIST THE GOVERNOR TO IDENTIFY COMMISSION APPLICANTS. Sec. 2. Initial board members: terms of office A. Notwithstanding section 17-202, subsection A, Arizona Revised Statutes, as added by this act, the governor shall appoint the initial members of the Arizona game and fish commission appointment recommendation board as follows: 1. The member appointed pursuant to section 17-202, subsection A, paragraph 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, shall be appointed to a term of five years. 2. The member appointed pursuant to section 17-202, subsection A, paragraph 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, shall be appointed to a term of four years. 3. The member appointed pursuant to section 17-202, subsection A, paragraph 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, shall be appointed to a term of three years. 4. The member appointed pursuant to section 17-202, subsection A, paragraph 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, shall be appointed to a term of two years. 5. The member appointed pursuant to section 17-202, subsection A, paragraph 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, shall be appointed to a term of one year. B. All subsequent members shall be appointed to terms of five years." Amend title to conform Legislative Alert- Call Your Legislator TODAY! The Arizona Sportsmen for Wildlife have been working to bring both fairness and accountability to the Game and Fish Commission as well as working to protect your right to hunt and fish. We are asking all sportsmen and women who are concerned about sportsmen being underrepresented on the Game and Fish Commission to do the same! Please contact your legislator by following the link: Arizona State Legislature Please be sure to remain respectful when asking your Senators and Representatives to support SB1200, HB2189 and HCR2008. Support AZSFW Business Partners AZSFW appreciates the generous contributions from our Business Member partners. Support AZSFW business partners who have helped further the goals and objectives of our sportsmen advocacy program. Subscribe to Western Hunter $19.95 for one year subscription and a free hunting DVD. Arizona Sportsmen for Wildlife Forward email This email was sent to jamesthompsoniii@hotmail.com by suzanne@arizonasportsmenforwildlife.org. Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Email Marketing by Arizona Sportsmen for Wildlife Conservation | P.O. Box 13116 | Phoenix | AZ | 85002 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Muley62 Report post Posted March 17, 2010 Many of you saw the e-mail from the Game and Fish Department. It still bothers me that they use department resources to lobby against legislation but that is what political appointees can do when there is no accountability to the public. Anyways, we could sure use your help in contacting your legislators regarding these bills. Just click on the link below to identify your senator and politely ask them to support SB1200. This type of feedback really does help legislators make decisions. If everyone who voted that they would support this bill actually sent an e-mail then we will win this! http://azleg.gov/MemberRoster.asp?Body=H This link will show the e-mail address for each senator http://azleg.gov/alisStaticPages/HowToContactMember.asp This link will help you locate your legislative district BTW, I copied these links for the Game and Fish e-mail. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DesertBull Report post Posted March 17, 2010 I thanked them for sending me that email because there was a direct link to the state congress. Made it real easy for me to tell them all I support all 3 bills. Thanks G&F! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
