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  

April 14, 2014     

Intro Date: 03/11/2013
Sponsor: Representative Lynn Gattis 
Issue Brief: Conservation Funding 
Summary: Relates to auctions or raffles for big game harvest permits and to the selection of nonprofit organizations to conduct auctions and raffles for the Department of Fish and Game.
Status: Passed Senate. To House for concurrence on April 14.  
 
Intro Date: 03/11/2014
Sponsor: Representative Paul Seaton  
Issue Brief: Invasive Species   
Summary: Relates to the rapid response to, and control of, aquatic invasive species and establishing the aquatic invasive species response fund
Status: From House Committee on Rules on April 14: Placed on calendar.

Intro Date: 02/03/2014
Sponsor:
Senator Gail Griffin, Member, Arizona Legislators for Wildlife 
Issue Brief: Endangered Species  
Summary: Relates to proposal of a Constitutional Amendment; relates to Mexican wolf; relates to population rule.
Status:
In House. Read third time. Passed House on April 16.Intro Date: 01/16/2014
Sponsor:
Representative David Gowan, President, Arizona Legislators for Wildlife
Issue Brief:
Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:
Relates to hunting and fishing licenses; relates to military.
Status:
To Governor on April 16.

Arizona H 2483
Intro Date: 01/23/2014
Sponsor:
Representative David Gowan, President, Arizona Legislators for Wildlife
Issue Brief:
Range Protection
Summary:
Relates to firearms; relates to private land; relates to lawful discharge
Status:
 To Governor on April 16.

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: From Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife on April 8. Do pass as amended to Committee on Appropriations. Assembly Floor Agenda - Second Reading Scheduled on April 21.

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: From Assembly  Committee on Appropriations on April 9. Do pass. Assembly Floor Agenda - Third Reading Scheduled on April 21

California A 2205
Intro Date: 02/20/2014
Sponsor:
Assemblymember Tim Donnelly, Member, California Outdoor Sporting Caucus
Issue Brief:
General License 
Summary: Requires the Department of Fish and Wildlife to make a specified report to the Fish and Game Commission on the status of bear populations, management, and related issues every 3 years. Requires the commission to authorize the use of dogs for the hunting of bears during open deer season. 
Hearing: April 29, 8:30 a.m., State Capitol, Room 437
 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: To Senate Committee on Finance on April 16. 

Connecticut S 241
Intro Date: 02/21/2014
Sponsor: Joint Committee on Environment
Issue Brief: Youth Licenses
Summary:Concerns youth hunting and fishing licenses, revising certain hunting and fishing license fees and requiring registration by hunting and fishing guide services; clarifies certain hunting and fishing license fees for persons sixteen and seventeen years of age, reduce certain fishing fees and establish a registration requirement for persons who conduct hunting or fishing guide services.
Status: House Calendar No. 325 on April 10.

Intro Date: 01/14/2014
Sponsor: Representative Kevin Tanner  
Issue Brief: General License  
Summary: Relates to definitions regarding game and fish; provides that full-time military personnel on active duty and their dependents shall be considered residents of this state for procuring certain hunting and fishing licenses in this state; provides for related matters; repeals conflicting laws. 
Status: Signed by Governor on April 15.
 
Illinois H 5080
Intro Date: 01/27/2014
Sponsor: Representative Wayne Rosenthal, Member, Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General Licenses 
Summary:  Includes waterfowl in a provision concerning deer and wild turkey outfitter permits; makes a corresponding change to firearm discharge prohibitions; provides that providing or offering to provide, for compensation, outfitting services for deer, waterfowl, or wild turkey hunting without a permit shall be a Class B misdemeanor.
Status:
  Passed House (97-0) on April 10. To Senate.
 
Iowa H 499
Intro Date: 03/11/2013
Sponsor: House Judiciary Committee
Issue Brief: Crossbows 
Summary: Directs the natural resource commission to adopt a rule permitting a resident to use a crossbow to hunt deer during the late season that is designated for taking deer by muzzle-loading rifle or pistol; provides that the commission shall prepare an application for a crossbow deer hunting license; provides that a person issued such a license must be otherwise qualified to hunt deer in this state and purchase a hunting license that includes the wildlife habitat fee and pay the one dollar fee.
Status: Eligible for Governor's desk on April 15.

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: Floor Amendment filed. Amendment No. 1 and 2-title on April 14.
 
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 Governor on April 14.

Louisiana H 1071

Intro Date: 02/17/2014 
Sponsor: Representative Charles Chaney, Member, Louisiana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus   
Issue Brief: General License  
Summary: Reduces the time required to qualify as a resident for hunting and fishing licenses.
Status: Passed House on April 16. To Senate.

Maine S 662
Intro Date:
12/30/2013
Sponsor: Senator David Dutremble, Member, Maine Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus  
Issue Brief: Crossbows, Recruitment 
Summary: Amends certain provisions of inland fisheries and wildlife Laws.
Status: Signed by Governor on April 10. Public Law No. 538 [Effective Rule].
 
Intro Date: 01/08/2014
Sponsor: Representative Benjamin Lefebvre, Member, New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Senior Vets
Summary: Provides that nonresident full-time students at a public or private high school, postgraduate program, or post-secondary educational institution in this state may purchase a hunting and fishing license at the fee charged to residents for the license.
Status: From Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on April 4: Ought to pass.

New Hampshire H 1579
Intro Date: 12/17/2013
Sponsor:
Representative Steve Vaillancourt
Issue Brief: Animal Traps 
Summary: Prohibits the use of certain leghold or foothold traps for the taking of animals.
Status:  From Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on April 4: Ought to pass with amendment on April 10.

Intro Date: 03/04/2014 
Sponsor: Representative Handy  
Issue Brief: Access to Private Lands  
Summary:  Would require the use of nontoxic ammunition for hunting purposes whenever such ammunition is available. This act would take effect upon passage with an implementation date of July 1, 2017
Status: Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration. (04/17/2014).
 
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: From House Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs: Reported favorably with amendment on April 10.
 
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: From House Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs: Reported favorably with amendment on April 10.
 
Tennessee S 1771
Intro Date: 01/16/2014
Sponsor: Senator Mike Bell, Chair, Tennessee Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to Weapons; makes lawful the sale, transfer, ownership, possession and transportation of switchblade knives and knives with a blade length in excess of 4; increases from $3,000 to $6,000 the maximum fine for possessing a switchblade knife with the intent to employ it during commission of a dangerous felony; creates Class D felony of employing a switchblade knife during commission of dangerous felony
Status: Signed by Governor on April 8.

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: Signed by Governor on April 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 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]