Farm Bill Introduced, New Conservation Funding Mechanisms and Firearm Discharge By-Laws
Delta-backed legislation continues to receive support across the continent
United States
Delta Celebrates Introduction of New Farm Bill
The Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026, known as the Farm Bill, was introduced on Feb. 13. The bill contains multiple provisions for which Delta has been an advocate for many years, including a 27-million-acre cap for the Conservation Reserve Program and nearly identical policy language from the 2018 bill regarding program implementation. Additionally, Delta’s Working Wetlands program language creates new incentives to conserve small prairie wetlands and incentivizes post-harvest flooding in traditional wintering states. Delta’s policy team will continue to work with congressional leadership to ensure the Farm Bill works for ducks and duck hunters. You can find more information here.
Washington
Delta Waterfowl Lobby Day in Olympia
We held our first annual Duck Hunters Day at the Washington Capitol. Members and volunteers from Delta Waterfowl gathered in Olympia, Washington, to meet with legislators to discuss their support of waterfowl hunting and share their thoughts about upcoming legislation in the Evergreen State. To learn more about this lobby day, see our full press release here.
Possession of Firearms in Public Places Where Children May Be Present
Recently, Senate Bill 5098 was reactivated in the state of Washington. This bill, which we successfully prevented from passing last session, would ban the possession of weapons in a variety of state-owned public places where children could be present. The definition of places where weapons are banned is intentionally vague and could have wide-ranging effects on the hunting community. This bill would directly affect waterfowl hunters.
One example would be hunters on a river utilizing boat ramps. Before and after the hunt, if an individual is at the ramp and has a firearm in their boat or truck, they could be in violation of this proposed law. The bill could also affect hunters using state-owned refuges if it's deemed children are present. Additionally, this bill would prevent the possession of firearms at fairgrounds, which would in turn restrict our ability to hold events like auctions and raffles at these locations.
Our team and many of our conservation partners have signed an opposition letter, and we’re happy to report this bill failed to pass the House Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee and is effectively dead.
Safe Storage Requirements in Washington State
Delta’s policy team is happy to report that House Bill 1152 has failed to pass out of the House Rules Committee.
This overreaching bill would have mandated requirements for the safe storage of firearms in the home and in vehicles. This bill would mandate that all firearms be unloaded and locked in a safe in an individual's home. It is unconstitutional and goes against the Supreme Court’s decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, which allows an individual to have a loaded firearm in their house.
Our team is happy to see this bill defeated, and we will continue to advocate against erroneous firearm legislation that affects our members.
Oregon
1% For Wildlife Legislation
Our policy team is happy to announce that House Bill 4134 — a bill that will directly support waterfowl habitat in the state — was recently introduced in Oregon.
The bill increases the state's transient lodging tax and directs the money generated through this tax into a new fund called the “Recovering Oregon's Wildlife Fund Subaccount.” This money will be used for a variety of conservation projects, with waterfowl-related projects directly outlined in the bill language as one of the main recipients.
This bill has passed the House and is currently making its way through the Senate. Our team signed onto a letter of support with many of our partners in Oregon, and will continue to advocate throughout the legislative process.
Utah
New Wildlife Management Area
Delta policy staff has been closely following House Bill 93, legislation to open a new Wildlife Management Area on Utah Lake. The new WMA would be located on the southern side of the lake at a site called Goshen Bay. Delta’s team spoke with the bill sponsor and stakeholders on the ground to ensure that the bill language includes a funding mechanism for this WMA, as funding is critical for this type of project and without it, the new WMA will not be successful. We are happy to report this bill has passed both chambers and is now on the way to the governor’s desk to hopefully be signed into law.
Great Salt Lake Water Deliveries
Recently, our team has been advocating for House Bill 247. This bill was recommended by the Legislative Water Development Commission, which modifies the allocation and use of revenue generated by the brine shrimp tax in Utah. This modification and the subsequent revenue it would generate will be used to support water deliveries to the Great Salt Lake. The GSL has become increasingly dry over the past decade, which presents serious problems for public health as well as critical wetland habitats. This bill will not solve all of the water issues that the GSL is experiencing, but it is certainly a step in the right direction.
The Delta team is happy to report that this bill has passed both chambers and is now on the way to the governor’s desk where we are hopeful it will be signed into law.
Wetlands Study Committee
House Bill 509 is critical legislation for wetlands in Utah, as it will direct the Department of Natural Resources to establish a study committee to oversee the general health of wetlands. In turn, this committee will make recommendations on how these ecosystems can be better supported by mitigating wetland loss and degradation.
Wetland ecosystems across Utah are impacted more than any other ecosystem in the state and are essential in providing more opportunities for wildlife and migrating waterfowl. It is crucial to protect these dwindling resources and ensure their availability for wildlife and future generations of Utahns.
Additionally, water rights are a valuable commodity in Utah, and wetland managers rely on water deliveries to maintain critical habitat for breeding and wintering waterfowl. More wetlands mean more habitat for waterfowl, which in turn provides more opportunity for hunters. We are happy to report that this bill has passed both chambers and is now on the way to the governor’s desk where it could be signed into law.
Arizona
Constitutional Right to Hunt & Fish
House Bill 2497 seeks to ensure that current and future generations of Arizonans can legally fish, hunt, harvest and gather to sustain themselves and their families while protecting Arizona sportsmen and women from an outright ban on the ability to partake in any of these same activities.
Importantly, this legislation does not create new or unregulated rights, nor does it diminish the authority of the state.
The legislation clearly preserves Arizona Game & Fish Department’s authority to manage wildlife and fisheries, including the establishment of seasons, bag limits, and lawful methods of take. It does not do the following: interfere with private property rights or trespass laws; affect water rights or water management; impair the state’s authority to regulate commercial activities; prevent the suspension or revocation of licenses for violations of law; or alter existing burdens of proof for challenges to wildlife regulations. Instead, HB 2497 responsibly balances constitutional recognition of a long-held right with sound, science-based wildlife management and appropriate regulatory oversight.
This bill has passed the House and is currently waiting assignment in the Senate.
Kansas
Duck Stamp Reforms
House Bill 2507 in Kansas would amend the current duck stamp fees. This bill has been amended over time, and the current version passed the senate committee with an amendment to decrease the price of the stamp for residents by $10, while raising the nonresident stamp fee by an increment between $100 and $200. This bill is on its way to the full Senate.
Delta Waterfowl License Plate
House Bill 2585, the legislation to create a Delta Waterfowl license plate, was defeated by a rule of the House. There is still a possibility of getting this proposal included in other legislation, which our policy team will be monitoring and working to make happen.
Oklahoma
More Structure in Oklahoma Waterfowl Hunting
Bill SB2069 was recently introduced in Oklahoma, which incorporates federal baiting regulations into state statute with penalties. Currently, these regulations are only in the administrative rules of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. If passed, violators will receive a license revocation of up to 10 years for a first offense. SB2069 also includes a ban on the use of artificial bait such as foam corn kernels.
This bill has passed committee and went to the Senate floor in early March. Once passed, it will be considered by the House of Representatives.
Clarifying Operations of Guides and Outfitters
Bill SB2095 seeks to provide clarity on the operation of guides and outfitters. This has been a consistent focus of Delta's efforts in multiple states to ensure hunters are protected from rogue or "fly-by-night" guides and outfitters. The Policy Team believes providing structure will ensure better hunts for those who use these services.
This bill has passed the Senate and will be taken up next by the House of Representatives. You can find more information here.
Conservation Roundtable
Delta’s Policy team also attended a conservation roundtable in Oklahoma City with leaders of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and members of the legislature. The time was used as a meet and greet and to discuss expected legislation during this next session.
Tennessee
Funding Legislation Moving Ahead
Tennessee legislators have filed Senate Bill 2183 and House Bill 2138 which will provide a consistent, stable funding source for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. This legislation will provide an estimated $18 million to $20 million annually for wildlife conservation in the Volunteer State without an increase in licenses or fees by requiring 10% of payments made by the Tennessee Valley Authority be directed to the Wildlife Resources Fund.
Delta Waterfowl has worked with lawmakers to support this measure to help provide better staffing, habitat management, and more money to protect the resources. The Senate bill has already passed the committee with no opposition. Our policy team is closely monitoring this legislation and has launched an advocacy campaign where you can contact lawmakers.
Fundraising Efforts
House Bill 2659 is a bill introduced by Rep. Lamberth for Delta raffles in Tennessee. Delta would have five days to register as a nonprofit to hold raffles in the Volunteer State, an important function of our fundraising efforts.
Mississippi
Stewardship Trust and Capitol Day
The Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund, created in 2022, serves as a funding mechanism for conservation work in the Magnolia State. This year’s state budget includes a $20 million contribution for fiscal year 2027, which is the largest single-year funding contribution since the Fund’s inception.
Delta strongly supports this budget proposal. In addition, Delta’s Policy team also hosted a Capitol Day in Jackson, Mississippi, with members of the state committee and chapters from the area.
Maryland
Sunday Hunting Update
Legislation to remove the Sunday hunting prohibition in Maryland (HB1063 and SB643) has been introduced and both bills have been heard in committee.
Cyrus Baird, Delta’s vice president of government affairs, testified in support during both the House and Senate Committee hearings and has been working directly with the bill sponsors and other lawmakers in Annapolis, Maryland, to support this bill.
During these hearings, Delta highlighted how providing an additional day on the weekend for sportsmen and women to hunt will provide increased access and opportunity.
Wisconsin
Sandhill Crane Legislation
After much debate, Assembly Bill 117 passed the Wisconsin Assembly and was transmitted to the Senate. This bill would authorize the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to open a sandhill crane season. The Senate did not bring it for a vote, so the legislation effectively died.
Canada
Ontario
Georgian Bay Township, Discharge of Firearms By-law
Delta’s Policy Team received notification from Georgian Bay’s Supervisor of Municipal Law Enforcement that the draft discharge of firearms by-law will be going back before council in the coming weeks. We have been told that one of the most contentious and unnecessary restrictions initially incorporated into the by-law, the 3-acre minimum property size restriction, has been removed from the draft.
While the draft bylaw is returning to council for discussion and debate, there has been no indication on what direction council will go on the issue.
Town of Mono, Discharge of Firearms By-law
Delta’s team is thrilled to share that the Town of Mono voted on Feb. 24 to abandon plans of crafting a restrictive discharge of firearms by-law that would have negatively impacted hunting, trapping, and recreational shooting. After council continued to hear significant opposition, council voted 4-1 in favor of scrapping their efforts, opting to rely on existing provincial and federal legislation already in place and enforced. Delta has been engaged in this matter since the onset, dating back to fall 2023.
Reykjavik, Iceland, International Thick-Billed Murre Workshop
Delta Waterfowl was asked to participate in an international thick-billed murre workshop to advance the development and implementation of an adaptive harvest management model. As part of the planning process, Environment and Climate Change Canada, together with several partner countries, invited representatives from both government and key stakeholder groups to a workshop in Reykjavik, Iceland, in late January.
The organizing committee was keen to include a representative from Delta Waterfowl to provide perspectives from individuals with direct experience in murre harvesting, particularly those based in Newfoundland and Labrador. The murre hunt is extremely important to our membership and residents in Newfoundland and Delta’s invitation and participation in this international workshop has been greatly appreciated.
Migratory Bird Advisory Committee Meetings
Dates have now been scheduled for the two Migratory Game Bird Advisory Committee meetings that Delta’s Policy Team participates in. The Ontario Waterfowl Advisory Committee meeting has been scheduled for March 24, and the Atlantic Migratory Game Bird Technical Committee meeting is scheduled for April 21-22. These meetings focus on topics important to waterfowl conservation, hunting regulations, and many other intersects.
Do you want to stay involved with issues that are threatening the future of waterfowl hunting? Make your voice heard by registering for Delta Waterfowl's Duck Hunters Action Alert System. Delta Waterfowl's policy team will send you emails and alerts when issues that impact you arise and provide you with the tools and resources to engage with lawmakers. Text DELTA WATERFOWL to 52886 or click here today to sign up.