We will be awaiting the final amended version out of committee today. As I understand it, there are THREE sets of amendments and again, this is just generally speaking, I've seen NONE of these and only been told that is what's up for consideration in today's committee:
1) Everything's posted (original version from waaay back in January - it's been a long session, hasn't it!?)
2) Database where everything starts as posted (basically the same as above, only more confusing and expensive)
3) Database where everything starts as unposted (just confusing and expensive, with no deterrence to criminals)
We should have something by 5:00 pm, unless they go late, suspend the rules, etc.
All of the above - no matter which ones come out - are not the right answer. They don't prevent trespass, but by now we all know that was not the true goal here. The goal was to remove the posting requirement because a vocal few who own thousands of acres thought it too time consuming/expensive to post any more - and believe me, there are other options we can use to appease those few. The secondary goal of the special interests seemed to be to paint sportsmen as the villains, when in reality a few dozen criminals were the real issue.
You've all done a great job at representing your views, and those of sportsmen in general. In the coming days, you'll need to do it again. Things aren't solid in the house and this bill can still be defeated. Those I've talked to say, despite the special interests and sponsors dumping THOUSANDS of dollars on multiple dedicated lobbyists, this bill in any form will be a toss-up. Time to put our collective thumbs on the scale once again - BE HEARD, CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS, tell your Representatives to VOTE NO on SB 2315, because in any form, it's bad for public access, hunting and fishing in ND!
https://www.legis.nd.gov/contact-my-legislators