The agenda is beginning to fill up for Delaware’s new Sportsmen’s Caucus.
The group held its first meeting Tuesday, discussing potentially dialing back regulations surrounding the Sportsmen Against Hunger program.
Participating butcher shops process donated venison and work with nonprofits to distribute it to needy families.
Caucus co-chair Sen. Brian Pettyjohn (R-Georgetown) says recent policy changes in the Office of Management and Budget now require those shops to carry a big insurance policy.
“It happened within the last year because it was effective this hunting season that a lot of butcher shops dropped out of that program because of these really over burdensome requirements by OMB," Pettyjohn said.
Lawmakers also discussed other topics, including how they might overturn portions of Delaware’s ban on any Sunday hunting.
Part of a slate of Blue laws that used to be part of Delaware code, hunters rights groups argue it’d further stimulate the economy if lifted.
“I’ve got constituents who are equestrians who are also hunters who don’t want to disturb other hunters, but want to be able to ride their horses on public land and tackling that issue is one of the reasons why this forum was formed,” said co-chair Rep. Jeff Spiegelman (R-Clayton).
Any potential legislation could be seen as early as January 12 when the General Assembly reconvenes.