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, angling, recreational 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  

June 2, 2014     

Introduced: 02/13/2014
Sponsor: Assemblymember Jim Frazier, Co-Chair, California Outdoor Sporting Caucus, Assemblymember Frank Bigelow, Member, 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 Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water on June  5.

California A 2105
Introduced: 02/20/2014
Sponsor: Assemblymember Jim Frazier, Co-Chair, California Outdoor Sporting Caucus
Issue Brief: General License
Hearing:  Room 112, 9:30 a.m., June 10, 2014
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 Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water on May 8. 
 
Colorado H 1275
Introduced: 02/10/2014
Sponsor: Representative Crisanta Duran
Issue Brief:  Range Protection  
Summary: Authorizes the parks and wildlife commission to purchase property to build a multi-use shooting facility using appropriated funds, non-appropriated grant funds, or federal moneys
Status: Session Law Chaptered. Chapter No. 288 [Effective Rule] on June 5.

Introduced: 03/04/2014
Sponsor: Representative Tom Goodson, Member, Florida Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Access Private Lands, General License, Hunter Ed
Summary: Relates to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; provides that a boating safety course may be offered in a classroom or online; requires the commission to submit a report related to the regulation of mooring vessels; eliminates an exemption from boating safety education requirements for boating law violators; expands a county's authorization to use moneys collected from vessel registration fees; clarifies the activities authorized under an annual military gold sportsman's license.
Status: To Governor on June 5.
 
Illinois H 4329
Intro Date: 01/27/2014
Sponsor: Representative Jack Franks, Member, Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military Hunting and Angling Privileges  
Summary: Amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code; provides that the fee shall be reduced for all sport fishing licenses, salmon stamps and inland trout stamps for residents over 75 years old who are enrolled in the Benefit Access Program; amends the Wildlife Code; provides that the fee for a hunting license to hunt all species, State Migratory Waterfowl Stamps, State Habitat Stamps, State Pheasant Stamps, and State Furbearer Stamps shall be reduced for such residents. 
Status:
Passed both Houses on May 29.

Intro Date: 02/10/2014 
Sponsor: Senate Natural Resources Committee
Issue Brief: Apprentice Hunting
Summary:
Relates to hunting, youth hunter education, wildlife, parks, tourism, purchase of land and seizure of unlawfully taken wildlife; relates to owner property rights.
Status:
Chapter No. 2014-135 [Effective Rule] on June 2.

Kansas H 2051

Intro Date: 01/23/2013
Issue Brief: General
Summary:
Relates to the state sovereignty over non-migratory wildlife act; provides that the lesser and greater prairie chickens are not subject to the endangered species act of 1973; provides that any federal regulation or executive action that purports to regulate prairie chickens has no effect within the state; provides that the State of Kansas possesses sole regulatory authority to govern the management and hunting of lesser and greater prairie chickens within the state.
Status:
Chapter No. 2014-103 [Effective Rule] on June 2.

Kansas H 2578
Intro Date:
02/07/2014
Issue Brief: Knife Preemption
Summary:
Relates to certification by chief law enforcement officer for transfer of a firearm when required by federal law; provides the officer cannot certify information directly related to the applicant; provides that a generalized belief by the chief law enforcement officer that certain types of firearms have no lawful purpose or should not be possessed even by those who are not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing or receiving them shall not be sufficient reason to deny certification
Status:
Chapter No. 2014-97 [Effective Rule] on June 2.

Louisiana S 681
Intro Date: 04/29/2014 
Sponsor: Senator Dan Morrish, Member, Louisiana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus 
Issue Brief: General  
Summary: Allows for the taking of certain quadrupeds from a helicopter.
Status: To Governor on June 1.
 
Louisiana H 1072
Intro Date: 03/27/2014 
Sponsor: Representative Jack Montoucet, Member, Louisiana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus   
Issue Brief: Senior Vets  
Summary: Provides for reduced hunting and fishing license fees for certain retired members of the U.S. Armed Forces
Status: Provides for reduced hunting and fishing license fees for qualified retired members of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Louisiana H 146
Intro Date: 03/10/2014 
Sponsor: Representative Jeff Thompson
Issue Brief: General   
Summary:Creates the Hunters for the Hungry Louisiana license plate; provides for a fee.   
Status: Act No. 29 [Effective Rule] on May 16.
   
Massachusetts H 4074
Introduced: 5/15/2014
Sponsor: Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture
Issue Brief: Sunday Hunting
Summary: Authorizes bow and arrow hunting on Sundays.
Status: In House. Committee Amendment adopted. See H 4114 on May 27.

Massachusetts H 4114
Introduced: 5/27/2014
Sponsor: House Ways and Means Committee
Issue Brief: Sunday Hunting
Summary: Authorizes the use of bow and arrows for Sunday deer hunting. 
Status: Passed House. To Senate on June 4.

Michigan S 795
Intro Date: 02/19/2014
Sponsor: Senator Mike Kowall,
Member, Michigan Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Invasive Species
Summary: Increases prohibited species violations penalties. 
Status: In Senate. To third reading on May 27.

New Hampshire S 230
Intro Date: 01/08/2014
Sponsor:
Senator Jeff Woodburn, Co-Chair, New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus 
Issue Brief: Off Highway Vehicles
Summary: Adds a definition of a utility terrain vehicle used as an off highway recreational vehicle.
Status: Enrolled Bill Amendment on May 22.

New Hampshire S 389
Introduced: 01/8/2014
Sponsor: Senator Jeff Woodburn, Co-Chair, New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Enforcement
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: Conference Committee adopted by Senate on June 4.

New Hampshire H 256
Intro Date:
01/03/2013
Sponsor:
Representative Gene Chandler, Co-Chair, New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus 
Issue Brief: American System of Conservation Funding   
Summary: Provides funding for the fish and game search and rescue fund by establishing a $10 surcharge on all fines issued for fish and game law violations and establishing a minimum flat fee for individuals who were the object of a search and rescue response, unless the individual possesses a current hunting or fishing license, an OHRV, snowmobile, or boat registration, or a voluntary hike safe card issued by the department and establishing a voluntary hike safe card.
Status: Conference Committee Report adopted by House on June 4.

New Hampshire H 1579
Introduced: 01/08/2013
Sponsor:
Representative Steve Vaillancourt  
Issue Brief: Animal Traps 
Summary: Prohibits the use of certain leghold or foothold traps for the taking of animals.
Status: Ordered Enrolled on May 28. 

New York A 1627

Intro Date: 01/09/2013 

Sponsor: Assemblyman Aileen Gunther, Co-Chair, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus  

Issue Brief: American System of Conservation Funding  

Summary: Directs the commissioner of environmental conservation to create gift cards for hunting and fishing licenses  

Intro Date: 01/24/2013
Sponsor: Assembly Member Michelle Schimel 
Issue Brief: Microstamping
Summary: Amends the Penal Law; requires semiautomatic pistols manufactured or delivered to any licensed dealer in this state to be capable of microstamping ammunition; establishes fines for violations of this requirement and provides for an affirmative defense if the dealer had a certification from the manufacturer that such pistol is microstamp-ready.   
Status: To Assembly Committee on Rules on June 3.

Rhode Island S 2318
Introduced: 2/11/2014
Sponsor: Senator Gayle Goldin
Issue Brief: Outdoor Gear Sales Tax
Summary: Imposes a ten percent supplemental firearms and ammunition tax; provides for distribution of collected funds to the police departments of the cities and towns for allocation to nonprofit organizations whose mission includes a commitment to the reduction of crime and violence; provides exemptions for veterans and active law enforcement officers.
Status: In Senate Committee on Finance on May 29: Committee recommends measure to be held for further study.

Rhode Island S 2464
Introduced: 2/27/2014
Sponsor: Senator Susan Sosnowski
Issue Brief: American System of Conservation Funding
Summary: Would allow funds collected from licensing fees to be used for the acquisition, stewardship, and development of fish and wildlife lands. This act would take effect upon passage
Status: Passed Senate on June 5.

Rhode Island S 2792
Introduced: 3/25/2014
Sponsor: Senator Susan Sosnowski
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Establishes a fisheries administrative fund; provides the fund shall be supported through an annual fee imposed on the lease of marine submerged lands for renewable energy projects; creates a nonprofit entity representing the interests of Rhode Island commercial and recreational fishing in fisheries management and in the development and operation of renewable energy facilities in marine waters used regularly by citizens of the state.
Status: Placed on Senate Calendar (06/11/2014) on June 5.
 
South Carolina S 986

Introduced: 4/01/2014
Sponsor: Senator George E. "Chip" Campsen, III, Member, South Carolina Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Animal Traps, General 
Summary: Increases the penalties for hunting, fishing, or trapping on any land without the consent of the owner or manager and provides the magistrates court concurrent jurisdiction to hear first and second offenses; amends the point system for violations relating to trespassing to hunt, fish or trap.   
Status: To Governor on June 5.

South Carolina S 1177
Introduced: 4/01/2014
Sponsor: Senator Greg Gregory  
Issue Brief: General 
Summary: Relates to the establishment, operation, and maintenance of wildlife management areas; provides that certain acts or conduct that are prohibited may be allowed by regulation, that these acts or conduct are prohibited on state lakes and ponds owned or leased by the department and heritage preserves owned by the department.
Status: Signed by Governor on June 2.

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 House. To Senate for concurrence on May 28.

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: Signed by Governor on June 2.

Introduced: 5/20/2014
Sponsor: Senate Fish, Game and Forestry
Summary: Approves regulations of the Department of Natural Resources; relates to seasons, limits, methods of take and special use restrictions on wildlife management area
Status: To Governor on June 5.
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]