Tracking The Capitols
Tracking the Capitols is a 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.
 


Working with  
State Legislators
Updates For the Week of  

March 24, 2014     

Intro Date: 02/07/2014
Sponsor: Senator John Coghill 
Issue Brief: General 
Summary: Authorizes the commissioner of natural resources to implement a hunting guide concession program or otherwise limit the number of individuals authorized to conduct big game commercial guiding on state land.
Status: To Senate Committee on Finance on March 24.
  
California A 1709
Intro Date:
02/13/2014
Sponsor: Assemblymember Jim Frazier, Co-Chair, California Outdoor Sporting Caucus
Issue Brief:
General License
Summary:
Requires the Department of Fish and Wildlife to issue a license to take any bird or mammal, upon payment of a base fee, to a resident or nonresident who is under 18 years of age on July 1 of the licensing year for which he or she seeks a license. Requires the department to issue a 2-day license to a nonresident who is 18 years of age or older upon payment of a base fee.
Status:
To Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife on February 20.
 
California A 2105
Intro Date: 02/20/2014
Sponsor: Assemblymember Jim Frazier, Co-Chair, California Outdoor Sporting Caucus
Issue Brief: General License
Summary: Relates to the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Relates to tags, stamps, and licenses for the hunting of antelope, elk, deer, wild pigs, bear, and bighorn sheep upon payment of a fee. Requires the department to authorize a nonprofit organization designated by the department to assist in the sale of these tags to retain a percentage of the amount of the sale price of the tag, plus any applicable credit card fees. 
 Status: To Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife on March 6.
 
Colorado H 1180
Intro Date: 01/29/2014
Sponsor: Representative KC Becker, Member, Colorado Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus 
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Continues the regulation of hunting and fishing outfitters by the director of the Division of Professions and Occupations; implements the recommendations contained in the sunset report prepared by the Department of Regulatory Agencies; provides requirements for an individual to register as an outfitter with the director; requires liability insurance.
 Status: Senate Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Energy on March 21.
 
Connecticut H 5080
Intro Date:
02/11/2014
Sponsor:
Joint Committee on Environment
Issue Brief:
Sunday Hunting
Summary:
Concerns deer management programs on private property and authorizing bow and arrow hunting on private property on sundays; authorizes Sunday hunting of deer on private property with bow and arrow and to authorize landowners to take deer pursuant to professional wildlife management principles.
Status:
Filed with Legislative Commissioner's Office on March 24.  

Intro Date: 03/04/2014
Sponsor:
Senator Charlie Dean, Member, Florida Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; provides that a boating safety course may be offered in a classroom or online; eliminates an exemption from boating safety education requirements for boating law violators; repeals provisions relating to a charge to be applied to areas covered by cooperative agreements with the United States Forest Service over and above the license fee for hunting.
Status: To Senate Committee on Appropriations on March 24.   

 Florida H 955
Intro Date: 03/04/2014
Sponsor:
Representative Tom Goodson
Issue Brief: Access to Private Lands 
Summary: Relates to Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; revises provisions relating to hunting and fishing licenses, permits, and authorizations, boating safety courses, and use of moneys collected from vessel registration fees; repeals provisions relating to certain spiny lobster licenses.
Status: To House Committee on State Affairs on March 25.
 
Intro Date: 02/01/2014
Sponsor: Senator Bill Heath, Chair, NASC Executive Council, Member, Georgia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:
General  
Summary: Relates to general provisions regarding hunting, authorizes the use of suppressors on hunting firearms under certain circumstances, provides for suspension of hunting privileges for persons who are convicted of hunting without landowner permission, hunts in an area that is closed to hunting, or hunting big game out of season or at night with a suppressor equipped firearm, provides for related matters, provides an effective date, repeals conflicting laws.  
Status: From House Committee on Game, Fish and Parks: Favorably reported as substituted on March 20. Intro Date: 01/21/2014
Sponsor: Representative David Knight, Co-Chair, Georgia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General License
Summary: Relates to hunting, trapping, or fishing licenses, permits, and stamps generally; adds a Type I nonresident infant lifetime sportsman's license; clarifies fees for replacement licenses; corrects a cross-reference; provides for related matters; provides an effective date; repeals conflicting laws.
Status: In House. Conference Committee Report adopted by House on March 20.

Hawaii HR 150
Intro Date: 03/07/2014
Sponsor: Representative Faye Hanohano
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Urges Hawaii's Congressional Delegation to request an audit of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council.
Status: From House Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, and Hawaiian Affairs on March 24: Do pass.

Hawaii H 1902
Intro Date: 01/17/2014
Sponsor: Representative Cindy Evans
Issue Brief: No-Net-Loss
SummaryRequires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to make reasonable efforts to prevent the loss, destruction, or degradation of public hunting areas and, if possible, to preserve hunting land within specified public hunting areas; requires the department to make efforts to acquire lands to replace certain unavailable land; establishes a hunting advisory commission.
Status: To Senate Committee on Ways and Means on March 21.

Intro Date: 03/06/2014
Sponsor: Senator Jimmy Higdon, Member, Kentucky Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus 
Issue Brief: Voter Registration 
Summary: Relates to voter registration; requires the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources to develop a procedure to inform applicants for licenses and permits of the means and methods to register to vote in the Commonwealth.
Status: To House Committee on State Government on March 25.

Kentucky HCR 11
Intro Date:
01/07/2014
Sponsor:
Representative Kenny Imes
Issue Brief: Appreciation in School 
Summary: Encourages the Kentucky High School Athletic Association, local school districts, and schools to voluntarily promote trapshooting as a high school sport.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy on March 24.
 
Kentucky H 376
Intro Date: 02/11/2014
Sponsor: Representative James Kay
Issue Brief: Conservation Tax Incentives
SummaryRelates to tax credits promoting land conservation; establishes a qualified conservation contribution income tax credit; provides for the ordering of the credit; includes the Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund Board in the development of qualification for certification of qualified real property interests; includes the pace board in the development of qualifications for certification of qualified real property interests.
Status: From House Committee on Appropriations and Revenue on March 24.

Intro Date: 03/10/2014
Sponsor:
  Senator Rick Ward
Issue Brief: Sound Suppressors  
Summary: Allows the use of a firearm sound suppressor while hunting certain wild quadrupeds 
Status:
Ordered Engrossed on March 25.
  
Louisiana H 1044
Intro Date: 3/10/2014
Sponsor: Representative Stuart Bishop
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Creates the Louisiana Catch and Cook Program within the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
Status: To House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment on March 25.


Michigan S 869

Intro Date: 03/12/2014
Sponsor: Senator Geoff Hansen,
Member, Michigan Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Angling Access
Summary: Revises bass season dates 
Status: In Senate. Read third time. Passed Senate. To House on March 26.

Nebraska L 671 
Intro Date: 01/08/2014
Sponsor: Senator Ernie Chambers
Issue Brief: Anti
Summary: Eliminates provisions relating to hunting and killing of mountain Lions.
Status:
To Governor on March 24.

New Hampshire S 244
Intro Date: 1/08/2014
Sponsor: Senator David Watters, Member, New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: NICS  
Summary: Requires the name of a person who has been adjudicated as not mentally competent to be reported to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System for the purpose of conducting a background check to determine eligibility to possess a firearm; the bill also establishes a procedure for such person to have his or her name removed from the NICS Index; 14-2665 04/10.
Status: Passed Senate. To House on March 27.

New Hampshire S 389
Intro Date: 12/17/2014
Sponsor: Senator Jeff Woodburn, Co-Chair, New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Off Highway Vehicles  
Summary: Allows fish and game conservation officers to enforce the motor vehicle laws of the state in the operation of snowmobiles, all terrain vehicles, and off highway recreational vehicles; relates to trespass on posted land and transportation of firearms for hunting. 
Status: To House Committee on Fish and Game and Marine Resources on March 20.      

Intro Date: 01/14/2014
Sponsor: Senator Steve Oroho, Co-Chair, New Jersey Angling and Hunting Conservation Caucus
Issue Brief: Voter Registration  
Summary: Requires voter registration forms be available when applying for hunting, fishing, or trapping license; requires display and collection of completed application if the applicant wishes to register at public agency
Status: To Senate Committee on Budget and Appropriations on March 24.  
   
New Jersey A 2006
Intro Date: 01/16/2014
Sponsor: Assemblymember Louis Greenwald 
Issue Brief: Standard Capacity Magazines  
Summary: Reduces maximum capacity of ammunition magazines to 10 rounds; exempts firearms with .22 caliber tubular magazines from 10 round limitation.
Status: To Senate Committee on Law and Public Safety on March 24. 

New Jersey A 2777
Intro Date: 02/27/2014
Sponsor: Assemblymember Joseph Lagana
Issue Brief: Guns
Summary: Defines reasonable deviations in the course of transporting firearms.
Status: To Senate Committee on Law and Public Safety on March 24.

South Carolina S 1070
Intro Date: 03/04/2014
Sponsor: Senator George E. "Chip" Campsen, III, Member, South Carolina Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus 
Issue Brief: General 
Summary: Provides the Department of Natural Resources the authority to promulgate regulations governing certain areas to establish seasons, dates, areas, bag limits, and other restrictions for hunting and taking wild turkey; relates to the Department of Natural Resources' regulation of the hunting of wild turkeys; revises the season for the hunting and taking of male wild turkeys; establishes South Carolina youth turkey hunting day; establishes bag limits for the taking of male wild turkeys.
Status: Passed Senate. To House on March 26.

Intro Date: 03/04/2014
Sponsor: Senator George E. "Chip" Campsen, III, Member, South Carolina Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus 
Issue Brief: General 
Summary: Relates to the division of the state into game zones, small game seasons, small game bag limits, the open season for antlered deer, the bag limit on antlered deer, and bear hunting; decreases the number of game zones, revise the dates for the various small game seasons; revises the small game bag limits for the various game zones, revise the dates for the various antlered deer open season; relates to field trials in and permits for game zone nine. 
Status: Passed Senate. To House on March 26.

South Carolina H 4959
Intro Date: 03/20/2014
Sponsor: Representative Brian White, Executive Council, National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses, Member, South Carolina Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus  
Issue Brief: Guns, Knife Preemption  
Summary: Relates to the prohibition on political subdivisions regarding the regulation of firearms and ammunition; also prohibit the regulation of knives; prohibits political subdivisions from enforcing such regulations
Status: To House Committee on Judiciary on March 20.

Tennessee S 1573 
Intro Date: 01/14/2014
Sponsor: Senator Mike Bell, Chair, Tennessee Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to Sunset Laws; extends the Fish and Wildlife Commission, June 30, 2018.
Status: Public Chaptered. Chapter No. 542 [Effective Rule] on March 25.

Tennessee S 1777
 
Intro Date: 01/14/2014
Sponsor: Senator Mike Bell, Chair, Tennessee Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to Game and Fish Laws; prohibits the use of drones to interfere with private citizens who are lawfully hunting or fishing.
Status: To Governor on March 24.

Tennessee HJR 667
Intro Date: 02/05/2014 
Sponsor: Representative Ron Lollar  
Issue Brief: Budget
Summary: Urges United States fish and wildlife service to permit the state to count permanent senior citizens hunting & fishing license holders in annual license certification for purpose of qualifying for certain federal funding.
Status: To House Committee on Calendar on March 25.

Intro Date: 01/29/2014
Sponsor: Senator Ralph Okerlund
Issue Brief: General License; Hunter Education
Summary: Amends the Wildlife Resources Code; allows a person to obtain hunting licenses or permits without complying with hunter education requirements if the person presents proof of an approved hunter education course; relates to licensure in anther state; provides rulemaking authority; makes technical changes.
Status: Signed by Governor on March 20. 

West Virginia H 4301 
Intro Date: 01/24/2014
Sponsor: Delegate Jeff Eldridge
Issue Brief: Fishing Reciprocity; General License
Summary: Relates to hunting, trapping and fishing licenses; permits limited reciprocal use of hunting and fishing licenses with states which share river borders with the state.
Status: Signed by Governor on March 20. 
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 Manager Bee Frederick, at 334.593.6988, or email [email protected]

 

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

 

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

 

Western States Manager Andy Treharne, at 303.789.7589, or email [email protected]