According to your own statement....

"Five years ago, the DNR responded to a legislative ultimatum. That "limited number of groups" which tends to get thrown under the bus in these discussions, stood up to the legislature on behalf of the DNR in order for that response to even be possible."

So in actuality, the legislature was poised to come in the door regardless and hardly required anyone to "invite" them in.

As a matter of fact, many say that members of the legislature were the driving force for the inclusion of handguns chambered in standard hpr calibers several years prior to the time frame we are discussing.