Tracking The Capitols
Tracking the Capitols is a weekly source of legislation currently being tracked by the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation state policy team to keep you informed of the most pertinent and timely state legislation affecting hunting, recreational fishing and shooting and trapping and other conservation issues. Inclusion in Tracking the Capitols does not necessarily constitute support or opposition to legislation by CSF and/or the CSF States Program. The bills noted in this email represent only a fraction of the legislation that CSF's States Program is monitoring on a day-to-day basis.

Please visit our website for day-to-day updates by CSF's State Program Team on important sportsmen's legislation. To view past bills, please visit the Tracking the Capitols Archive under the Media Room tab on the CSF website.

Note: In bold are sponsors who are members of their respective Sportsmen's Legislative Caucus.
 
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Working with  
State Legislators
Updates For The Week of  

June 3, 2013    


Connecticut S 1020

Intro Date: 02/28/13

Sponsor: Joint Committee on Environment  

Issue Brief: Wildlife Violators Compact

Summary: Concerns the interstate wildlife violator compact; enacts the Wildlife Violator Compact and repeal the Northeast Conservation Law Enforcement Compact that is no longer required.

Status: House Calendar No. 659 on May 30.

Florida H 423

Intro Date: 01/22/13

Sponsor: Representative Janet Adkins 

Issue Brief: Conservation Sales Tax

Summary: Relates to tax on sales, use, and other transactions; provides exemption from sales tax for dyed diesel fuel used in certain vessels in specified manner and for specified purpose.

Status: Signed by Governor. Filed as Chapter No. 2013-82 [Effective Rule] on May 30. 

Illinois H 183

Intro Date: 01/18/2013

Sponsor: Representative Lou Lang, Member, Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus

Issue Brief: Guns  

Summary: Provides for firearm concealed carry licenses; allows a law enforcement agency to object to an application based upon a suspicion that the applicant is a danger to himself or herself or others; allows objection for certain arrests, including gang-related arrests; provides for training courses, course instructor certification, identification cards, requirements for persons with developmental disabilities and the mentally disabled, reporting of certain students and assault weapon requirements.

Status: Passed Both Houses. Motion Filed to Reconsider Vote.  
Motion to Reconsider Vote - Tabled on May 31.

Louisiana H 378
Intro Date: 04/08/2013
Sponsor: Representative Walt Leger, Member of the Louisiana Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Conservation Funding
Summary: Increases certain fees related to the charter boat fishing industry
Status: Signed by Governor. Act No. 40 [Effective Rule]
on May 29.  
 
Maine S 423
Intro Date: 03/26/2013
Sponsor: Agency and Department
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Amends wildlife laws for the purpose of strengthening wildlife populations; adds rock doves to the list of wild birds that may be hunted; adds bear, moose and wild turkey to the list of wild animals a person is prohibited to feed; amends provisions regarding open season for bird hunting; relates to unlawful possession of ruffed grouse; establishes a task force to consider the effect of the importation and possession of wildlife and the issues of possession and exhibition of wildlife in the state.
Status: In House. Engrossed as amended by Committee Amendment A on June 4.

Maine H 713
Intro Date:
03/14/2013
Sponsor: Representative Stephen Wood, Co-Chair, Maine Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Crossbows
Summary: Allows a person to hunt any wild bird or animal with a crossbow during ant open season on that bird or animal and removes the restriction against using a crossbow within 100 feet of a building.
Status: In House. Engrossed as amended by Committee Amendment A on May 31.  

 

Maine H 904
Intro Date:
03/27/2013
Sponsor: Representative Paul Davis, Member, Maine Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: American System of Conservation Funding
Summary:Requires the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to ensure that revenue raised by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is not diverted to any purpose other than administration of the department in accordance with the Constitution of Maine.
Status: Became law without Governor's signature. Public Law No. 189 [Effective Rule] on June 3.  

 

Nevada S 221

Intro Date: 03/07/2013

Sponsor: Senator Justin Jones 

Issue Brief: Guns

Summary: Makes certain changes relating to persons with mental illness.

Status: To enrollment on June 3.

North Carolina S 234 

Intro Date: 03/11/2013 

Sponsor: Senator Buck Newton, Co-Chair, North Carolina Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus  

Issue Brief: Apprentice Hunting Licenses  

Summary: Amends and clarifies the hunter education requirements and to establish a hunting heritage apprentice permit.

Status:
Signed by Governor. 
Session Law Number 2013-63 [Effective Rule] on June 4.  

Intro Date: 01/14/2013
Sponsor: Office of the Governor
Issue Brief: Hunting Dogs
Summary:
Repeals sunset on provisions that allow State Department of Fish and Wildlife to appoint person to act as agent for purpose of using one or more dogs to hunt or pursue black bear or cougar.
Status: Passed Senate. To House for concurrence on June 4.

Pennsylvania H 126

Intro Date: 01/16/2013

Sponsor: Representative David Maloney, Member, Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus 

Issue Brief: Hunting, Fishing and Nature Appreciation in Schools.  

Summary: Upon the request of the commission, school Districts must make a school facility under their control available for the purpose of conducting a hunter education course either during or after school hours. 

Status: From Senate Committee on Game and Fisheries. In Senate, read first time on June 4.
  

Rhode Island S 814 

Intro Date: 04/04/2013
Sponsor: Senator Catherine Cool Rumsey
Issue Brief: Wildlife Violators Compact
Summary: Would adopt the wildlife violation compact act which recognizes violations of hunting, trapping and fishing laws occurring in other states as violations in a person's home state. This act would take effect upon passage.
Status: Passed Senate. To House on June 4.  
SCISCI is a proud partner of CSF and
sponsors in part TRACKING THE CAPITOLS

Working with Congress, Governors and State Legislatures to protect and advance hunting, recreational shooting, fishing and trapping.

 

 

For more information on the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation go to www.SportsmensLink.org

 

For additional information on legislation included in this report please contact the appropriate representative

 

Southeastern States Director Jennifer Lundy, at 321.253.0016, or email [email protected]

 

Midwestern States Director Chris Horton, at 501.865.1475, or email [email protected]

 

Northeastern States Manager Brent Miller, at 202.543.6850 x 13, or email [email protected]

 

Western States Manager Andy Treharne, at 202.543.6850 x 19, or email [email protected]