Minnesota Trappers Association
Legal Defense Fund / Banquet
Dale Jindra
Legal Counsel 2023 Winter Report
The Minnesota Legislature determines what will and will not become law. Literally. The Senate and House of Representatives meet in regular session each biennium for a total not exceeding 120 legislative days to make or not make our laws. Per Minnesota Statute Section 3.011, the Ninety-third Session of the Minnesota Legislature will begin on Tuesday, January 3, 2023, at 12:00pm. Why is January 3, 2023, the first day of Session? Again, according to Minnesota Statute Section 3.011, “the legislature meets on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January of each odd-numbered year, unless the first Monday in January falls on January 1, when it meets on the first Wednesday after the first Monday.” Seems easy, or not. Even numbered years are easier: “In even-numbered years, the legislature convenes on a date set by joint agreement of both bodies.”
Regardless of when Session starts, the process of making or not making laws is important to everyone, and if you want to continue to meaningfully trap or benefit from those that do trap, you need to be involved during the Legislative Session. In 2023, the Minnesota Trappers Association, as with other state trapping associations and national trapping associations, will be involved at the state legislative and national legislative sessions around the country.
Involvement in the last two Sessions has in large part been limited by COVID restrictions. The 2023 Session should be more open to getting involved. A Trappers Day at the Capitol, in-person committee hearings and meetings with legislators should again be available to the public. You should take the time to “show up.” You should and need to support state and national trapping associations so they can show up. You can do this first by being a member, but also by volunteering and financially supporting your associations. Meaningful trapping is literally one legislative session away from being part of history and not part of the future. So, support and show up. I look forward to seeing you in St. Paul this Session.
Gary R. Leistico- MTA Legal Counsel
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Gary R. Leistico is an Attorney along with Attorney Jayne E. Esch at the newly established law firm of Leistico & Esch, PLLC., and has practiced civil and criminal litigation concentrating in the areas of natural resources, environmental, and agricultural law for the past 29 years. He is general counsel to the National Trappers Association and Minnesota Trappers Association.
2023 LDF Banquet Info
Plans are underway for next year’s banquet and meeting, which is scheduled for January 14th, 2023. Tickets will be available starting at the summer convention, $100 per couple & $60 for individuals. You may contact Katelyn Jindra, at 218-820-5797 to reserve your ticket. The Banquet will be held at the Brainerd American Legion (708 Front St, Brainerd), the winter meeting will be at Forestview Middle School (12149 Knollwood Dr, Baxter) and a block of rooms are available at the Super 8 Hotel located at 14341 Edgewood Dr, Baxter. This is our host hotel, and we appreciate them working with us again. You can make your reservation by calling, 218-828-4288, please let them know you are with the MTA, this will allow you to receive the MTA room rate.
Thank you.
Dale Jindra
LDF Banquet Chair
218-821-1236
2022 Fall LDF Report
Greetings,
It sure was great seeing many of you at a Summer Convention in Wadena and 30 have already purchased their 2023 Legal Defense Fund Banquet tickets scheduled for January 14th, 2023. Only 140 total tickets will be sold on a first come first serve basis $60/per individual or $100/per couple. Please contact Katelyn for ticket availability at 218-820-5797. The Banquet will be held at the Brainerd American Legion (708 Front St, Brainerd), the winter general membership meeting will be at Forestview Middle School (12149 Knollwood Dr, Baxter) and a block of rooms are available at our host hotel Super 8 Hotel located at 14341 Edgewood Dr, Baxter and we appreciate them working with us again. For reservations, call 218-828-4288, and let them know you are an MTA member in order to receive the discounted rate. Thanks to all who chose to donate their raffle incentive traps to the LDF Banquet and those that delivered early donations to us during the Wadena convention.
January 2023 may appear a long way off, however, there is much work to be accomplished, and the General Membership Meeting and the LDF Banquet will be here before you know it. We appreciate everyone’s help in collecting donations and we are already receiving some nice prizes we never can have too many. If you’d like to donate, please contact me at 218-821-1236 or your Director/Co-Director. I would also like to again thank all of the committee members Dewey Schmitz, Katelyn Jindra, Eric Maijala, Deann Roggenkamp, Troy Hanson, and Don McGaffey. They all volunteer many, many hours and it does not go unnoticed. If you have suggestions or potential donors for next year’s banquet, please feel free to contact any one of the committee members or me. It would be greatly appreciated if we could receive donations from around the state.
I wish you all a great trapping season.
Dale Jindra