News - House Committee Hearing Update


	News
	House Committee Hearing Update October 30, 2003 Representative Tabor, chair of the House Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Committee, held a "stacked" hearing on October 29th on HB 5029, giving only the legally required 18 hour notice to the general public. However, Tabor had scheduled the hearing room to be packed with her supporters and took the typical bully posture toward opponents. The hearing was reduced to a "technical formality" since it was confirmed prior to the hearing that the bill would be immediately put to a House vote on November 4th, the same date Tabor coordinated weeks ago with radical out-of-state fringe interest groups to hold a rally at the capitol to expand "hunter rights". But even hunters testified at the hearing in opposition to the bill. John Honhart of Waterford took the day off of work and made the trip to Lansing. An avid hunter and member of the National Rifle Association, Honhart said "fair chase settles all arguments about a species being huntableand that the NRA and MUCC do not speak for the majority of their membership." Tabor continues to try and keep the public in the dark regarding this bill and has told reporters [including Kurt Madden of the Community News and Stacey Range of Lansing State Journal] that absolutely "no timetable exists for it to be reported to the House" or Senate floor for vote. This of course is not true and she has kept - and continues to conceal - long-planned dates off the official calendars for as long as possible, in order to gain advantage and avoid citizen input and participation. The concerned citizens of Michigan can expect the same treatment and similar movement of the bill in the Senate as the caucus leaders there (Senator Cropsey and Senator Barcia) are now planning their underhanded strategy behind closed doors. As suspected, HB 5029 passed the House Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Committee "with recommendation" and H-1 substitute. The following changes/substitutes occurred within the bill: The repeal of MCL 324,40110 was removed. Tabor had to jettison this provision during negotiations, in her words "for now," confirming its inclusion in the bill as introduced - to silence the general public - demonstrates the long-term goal of some fringe element "hunting" advocates. Sec. 40110a. The legislature hereby authorizes the establishment of the first open season for mourning doves. The commission may issue orders pertaining to mourning doves for each of the purposes listed in section 40113a. Reps Tabor, Milosch, Bradstreet, Ehardt, Richardville, Rocca, Nitz, Gillard, Farrah, and Sheltrown voted with recommendation. Rep Accavitti did not cast a vote in this record roll call. Tabor has confirmed that significant public opposition exists to this bill and that she wants to rush it through the legislature in order to avoid any further ramifications from such. State "lawmakers are getting deluged with faxes from bill opponents and that could mean the bill comes up sooner," she said. "It's such a controversial issue."

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