Westrom seeks input on hunting, fishing bill

Talk about it

Editor's note: The following was provided by State Representative Torrey Westrom, R-Elbow Lake, who represents District 11A, which includes part of Douglas County.

There have been many long days with engaging floor debates this week. Some highlights and bills are below.

HF 657 was passed in the House last week. This bill protects the right to resell event tickets to events such as concerts, theatrical performances, and sporting events that take place in Minnesota. This bill would prevent ticket issuers from prohibiting the reselling of tickets legally purchased by ticketholders. Through this bill an issuer cannot make the buyer agree not to resell the ticket, impose a penalty on the ticket buyer for the reselling, or treat the seller any differently than someone who did not resell their ticket. The ticket issuer is also prevented from employing any technological means to prevent the reselling of tickets.

Increasing hunting and fishing license fees has been debated here at the Legislature, and I want to know how you feel about increasing those fees. Do you support your hunting or fishing fees going up? Do you think it should increase if it lowers the price of youth licenses? Would a conservation license be of interest to you? That license allows only a half walleye limit at a reduced license price. These are all issues up for serious discussion at the Capitol.

In an unexpected move, the fishing opener was changed this year as well to a week earlier. If kept at the current May 12th date, it would fall on Mother’s Day weekend, and out of respect for the holiday we have moved it to the week prior. May 5th would now be the opener date and if this proposal survives the conference committee process and is signed by the Governor, folks will be able to begin fishing soon.

A vote on an election bill was also taken on Wednesday to move the Minnesota primary date from the month of August to the month of June.

The Agriculture Omnibus bill passed the House this week as well. It passed with bi-partisan support 102 – 20. This bill proposes a number of changes to agriculture and food safety laws. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) requested most of the provisions. This bill would affect MDA's legislative reporting responsibilities; grain buyers; firewood distributors; local governments collecting waste pesticides; food purveyors including grocery stores, bakeries, convenience stores, meat or poultry processors, egg handlers, and food product manufacturers; agricultural pesticide dealers; nursery stock growers and retailers; and others. It would also establish a new Dairy Research, Teaching, and Consumer Education Authority to identify and acquire a site for a new dairy education facility.

If you have any questions regarding legislative issues, contact Westrom's office at (651) 296-4929 or at 800-711-2620 or you can e-mail rep.torrey.westrom@house.mn

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