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 23, 2014     

Introduced: 03/11/2013
Sponsor: Representative Lynn Gattis
Issue Brief: Conservation Funding
SummaryProvides for the number of big game harvest permits that the Department of Fish and Game may donate each year for a competitive auction or raffle to a nonprofit corporation established to promote education in outdoor traditions and conservation and wildlife protection programs; provides for a specified number of permits for elk, bison, Dall sheep, black bear and goat.
Status: Signed by Governor on June 20. Chapter No. 47.

Introduced: 02/13/2014
Sponsor: Assembly Member Jim Frazier, Co-Chair, California Outdoor Sporting Caucus 
Issue Brief: General License, Ill Youth Hunting
SummaryRequires 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 a specified age on a specified date of the licensing year for which he or she seeks a license. Requires the department to issue a short-term license to a nonresident who is under of a specified age or older upon payment of a base fee.
Status: In Senate. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Committee on Appropriations. 

Introduced: 03/03/2014
Sponsor: Senator Loni Hancock
Issue Brief: Animal Traps
SummaryProvides setting or maintaining traps that do not bear a number or other identifying mark is punishable by a fine, imprisonment, or by both, and that failing to visit and remove all animals from traps at least once daily is also punishable. Exempts marine patrols, harbor police, and emergency personnel for the hours of watercraft operation requirements. Relates to the prosecution of an accessory in controlled substance crimes. Relates to the interstate compact for juveniles.
Status: Signed by Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter No. 54 on June 25. 
 
Introduced: 02/20/2014
Hearing Date6/30/2014, 10:00 AM, John Burton Hearing Room (4203)
Sponsor: Assembly Member Jim Frazier, Co-Chair, California Outdoor Sporting Caucus 
Issue Brief: General License
SummaryRelates 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 of Fish and Wildlife to authorize a nonprofit organization designated to assist in the sale of these tags to retain a percentage of the amount of the sale price of the tag, less any applicable credit card fees. Provides the remittance procedures by revenue generated by sales.
Status: In Senate. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Committee on Appropriations on June 17.

Introduced: 01/28/2014
SponsorRepresentative William C. Paradee
Issue Brief: General
SummaryAdopts by reference federal migratory game bird possession limits established by federal regulation to provide more efficient and timely adoption of such changing regulations; clarifies that possession limits do not apply to game birds, animals or fish that have been transported to a permanent residence and processed and stored for consumption, removes archaic and irrelevant language relative to rabbit and muskrat possession, and increases the currently outdated monetary fine for violation of this section.
Status: Passed Senate. Eligible for Governor's desk on June 26.
 
Introduced: 05/15/2014
Sponsor: Representative John C. Atkins
Issue Brief: Conservation Funding
SummaryAllows the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control to issue numbered surf fishing vehicle plates; provides the plates may be sold or auctioned for a fee.
Status: Passed Senate. Eligible for Governor's desk on June 26.

Introduced: 02/06/2014
Sponsor: Representative Wayne Rosenthal, Member, Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Enforcement
Summary:  Repeals provisions concerning permits for the commercial hunting of migratory waterfowl, hunting blind requirements, and reporting by permit holders of duck and geese taken; 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: To Governor on June 19.
 
Introduced: 05/15/2014
Sponsor: Representative Jeff Thompson
Issue Brief: Seniors and Vets
SummaryEstablishes a special open deer hunting season on private property for Louisiana residents who are honorably discharged veterans of the United State Armed Forces.
Status: Signed by Governor (Act No. 678) on June 18.

Introduced:12/05/2013
Issue Brief: Interstate Wildlife Violators Compact
Summary: Authorizes the Commonwealth to enter into an interstate compact for the enforcement of certain wildlife protection laws. 
Status: To House Committee on Ways and Means on June 23. 
 
Introduced: 02/18/2013
Sponsor: Representative Brian Mannal 
Issue Brief: General, Knife Definitions 
Summary: Relates to regulating the sale of certain knives for use as weapons. 
Status: From Joint Committee on Judiciary: Accompanied Study Order H 4218 on June 24.

Introduced: 01/03/2013
Sponsor: Representative Gene Chandler, Co-Chair, New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus 
Issue Brief: American System of Conservation Funding
SummaryEstablishes a voluntary hike safe card issued by the Fish and Game Department for the purpose of funding search and rescue response operations; removes the requirement that deputy conservation officers of the Fish and Game department serve a specified number of hours per month without compensation; reestablishes the commission to study opportunities and options to improve the sustainability of the Fish and Game Department.
Status: Order Enrolled on June 25.

Introduced: 04/28/2014 
Sponsor: Senator Raymond Lesniak
Issue Brief: General 
Summary: Prohibits sale, purchase, barter, or possession of ivory or rhinoceros horn and items containing ivory or rhinoceros horn, with limited exceptions
Status: To Governor on June 16. 

  

Introduced: 06/09/2014
Sponsor: Representative Bob Steinburg, Member, North Carolina Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Urges Congress to protect the corolla wild horses
Status: Passed House on June 25. 
 
Introduced: 05/15/2014
Sponsor: Senator Harry Brown
Issue Brief: Budget Bills, Ethics/Lobbying, Deer Management
SummaryModifies the current operations and capital improvements appropriations act of 2013 and for other purposes; delays a sunset on credit for investing in renewable energy property.
Status: To Conference Committee on June 18.
 
Intro Date: 04/07/2014
Sponsor: Senator Richard Kasunic
Issue Brief: Drones
Summary: Amends Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for the definition of unmanned aircraft, in game or wildlife protection; provides for disturbance of game or wildlife, in hunting and furtaking; provides for interference with lawful taking of wildlife or other activities permitted by this title prohibited.
Status: Passed Senate on June 26. To House.

  

Intro Date: 04/07/2014
Sponsor: Senator Richard Kasunic
Issue Brief: Drones
Summary: Amends Title 30 (Fish) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for the definition of unmanned aircraft; in enforcement, further provides for interference with lawful fishing and boating prohibited.
Status: Passed Senate on June 26. To House.

  

Intro Date: 04/09/2013
Sponsor: Representative Gary Haluska, Member, Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Senior Vets, Crossbows 
Summary:  Amends Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in preliminary provisions; further provides for definitions; in special licenses and permits; further provides for disabled person hunting permits; amends provisions regarding bows.  
Status: In Senate. Read first time on June 11. 

Intro Date: 
04/09/2013
Sponsor: Representative Matt Gabler, Member, Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: 
General License 
Summary: 
Amends Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, reenacting and further providing for elk hunting licenses; abrogates a regulation.
Status: To Senate Committee on Appropriations on June 23.
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]