Connecticut H 6955

Introduced: 03/05/2015

Sponsor: Joint Committee on Environment  

Issue Brief: Ivory

Summary: Prohibits the sale and trade of ivory and rhinoceros horn; prohibits the sale and trade of ivory and rhinoceros horn products made of such ivory and rhinoceros horn in order to limit the market for such items and reduce the killing of elephants and rhinoceros for their ivory and horns; relates to obtaining an appraisal of ivory, an ivory product rhinoceros horn or a rhinoceros horn product shall not constitute possession with intent to sell; specifies a violation of this results in a Class B misdemeanor.

Status: To Joint Committee on Judiciary on May 1       

 

Maine H 214

Introduced: 02/06/2015

Sponsor: Representative Russell Black, Member, Maine Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus

Issue Brief: Bear Hunting; Hunting Dogs

Summary: Allows a person licensed to guide hunters to use one leashed dog outside of legal hunting hours to track and dispatch a bear wounded by the guide's client.

Status: Eligible for Governor's desk on May 6

 

Maine H 265

Introduced: 02/11/2015

Sponsor: Representative Stephen Wood, Co-Chair, Maine Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus

Issue Brief: Recruitment

Summary: Requires the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to establish by rule a youth bear hunting day on the Saturday prior to the opening of bear hunting season.

Status: In Senate. Committee Amendment A adopted on April 30       

 

Maine H 266

Introduced: 02/11/2015

Sponsor: Representative Dale Crafts, Member, Maine Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus

Issue Brief: Crossbows

Summary: Allows a person 70 years of age or older to hunt with a crossbow during any open season. Until January 1, 2015, a provision of law allowed this, but included language that repealed the provision on that date. The bill enacts the substance of that provision but without the repeal language.

Status: Signed by Governor. Public Law No. 42 on April 30        

 

Maine H 318

Introduced: 02/20/2015

Sponsor: Representative Randall Adam Green, Member, Maine Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus

Issue Brief: Private Lands Access; Sunday Hunting

Summary: This bill allows a person to possess hunting equipment on Sunday on a landowner's property if the person possessing the equipment has the landowner's written consent to hunt on that property. The bill also allows hunting on a landowner's property on Sunday with the landowner's written consent.

Status: In Senate. Placed in Legislative File (DEAD) on April 30        

 

Maine H 394

Introduced: 02/25/2015

Sponsor: Representative Stephen Wood, Co-Chair, Maine Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus

Issue Brief: General 

Summary: Authorizes the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to postpone or cancel an open hunting season if, based on principles of sound scientific wildlife management, it is necessary for wildlife conservation purposes.

Status: Eligible for Governor's desk on May 6  

 

Maine H 557

Introduced: 03/06/2015

Sponsor: Representative Michael Shaw, Co-Chair, Maine Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus

Issue Brief: Guns

Summary: This bill amends the laws concerning permits to carry concealed handguns by: 1. Making the Chief of the State Police the sole issuing authority for a permit to carry concealed handguns; 2. Extending the term of a permit to carry concealed handguns from 4 years to 10 years; and 3. Removing the requirement that a course that includes handgun safety taken by an applicant for a permit to carry concealed handguns must have been taken by the applicant within 5 years prior to the date of application.

Status: Work Session held on May 1

 

Maine H 745

Introduced: 03/24/2015

Sponsor: Representative Larry C. Dunphy 

Issue Brief: General 

Summary: (Resolution) Proposes to amend the Constitution of Maine to exclude from laws that may be proposed in a citizen initiative laws governing wildlife management.

Status: Work Session Held on April 29   

 

Maine S 333

Introduced: 03/12/2015

Sponsor: Senator Garrett Mason   

Issue Brief: General 

Summary: Accomplishes the following. 1. It removes the prohibition on the use of firearm noise suppression devices when hunting and provides that a person who is otherwise lawfully hunting may use such devices. 2. It establishes a procedure for a person to obtain a chief law enforcement officer's certification under federal law for the approval of an application to transfer or make a firearm, requires that the certification be provided in a timely fashion unless the applicant is ineligible, limits the personal.

Status: Work Session Held on May 5          

 

New Hampshire H 336

Introduced: 01/08/2015

Sponsor: Representative James Webb, Member, New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus

Issue Brief: Crossbows

Summary: Allows the executive director of Fish and Game to adopt rules for taking black bear by crossbow and for taking game animals and game birds during the regular firearms season for the species.

Status: Passed Senate on April 30   

 

New Jersey A 4146

Introduced: 02/05/2015

Sponsor: Assemblyman Bob Andrzejczak

Issue Brief: General

Summary: Authorizes Department of Environmental Protection and NJ Marine Fisheries Council to regulate taking and management of striped bass; establishes interim taking restrictions.

Status: Signed by Governor: Chapter No. 2015-45 on May 4 

 

Vermont S 141

Introduced: 03/16/2015

Sponsor: Senate Judiciary Committee

Issue Brief: Guns; NICS

Summary: Prohibits a person convicted of a violent crime from possessing a firearm; require the Department of Public Safety and of Mental Health to report on the establishment of a Vermont version of the New Hampshire Gun Shop Project; require personal service notification prior to sale of firearms relinquished pursuant to a relief from abuse order; require the Court Administrator to report to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System established by the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act.

Status: Eligible for Governor's desk on April 23    

 

Virginia H 2286

Introduced: 01/21/2015

Sponsor: Representative Michael Webert 

Issue Brief: Guns

Summary: Relates to possession of firearms by convicted felons and the restoration of rights; provides any prohibitions against firearms ownership shall not apply to any person whose right to possess firearms or ammunition has been restored under the law of another State subject to conditions placed upon the reinstatement of the person's right to ship, transport, possess, or receive firearms by such State.

Status: Signed by Governor: Chapter No. 767 on April 30  

 

Alabama S 432

Introduced: 04/30/2015

Sponsor: Senator Gerald Dial

Issue Brief: Angling Access 

Summary: Amends specified section of the Code of Alabama, relating to commercial fishing and net and seine permits; deletes certain restrictions on the transfer of certain permits; provides for the renewal of permits of persons who failed to meet the income requirements for certain license years.

Status: To Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs on April 30    

 

North Carolina H 65

Introduced: 02/11/2015

Sponsor: Assembly Member Ken Cooley, Member, North Carolina Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus

Issue Brief: General   

Summary: Establishes a season for trapping foxes in Wilkes County, Cherokee County, and New Hanover County.

Status: In Senate. Committee on Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources: Committee substitute adopted on Senate floor on May 5 

 

North Carolina H 640

Introduced: 04/14/2015

Sponsor: Representative Jimmy Dixon, Member, North Carolina Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus 

Issue Brief: Sunday Hunting

Summary: Preserves North Carolina's outdoor heritage for future generations and amend various Wildlife Resources Commission laws; provides for the expansion of opportunities for persons age 16 and under to engage in outdoor recreational activities, including, but not limited to, hiking, horseback riding, boating, sport shooting and archery, bird watching and wildlife watching, camping, swimming, hunting, trapping, and fishing in order to pass on North Carolina's outdoor heritage to future generations.

Status: To Senate Committee on Rules and Operations of the Senate April 30    

 

North Carolina H 736

Introduced: 04/15/2015

Sponsor: Representative Charles Graham, Member, North Carolina Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus 

Issue Brief: General License 

Summary: Provides an exemption from hunting, trapping, and fishing license requirements for North Carolina American Indians.

Status: To Senate Committee on Rules and Operations of the Senate April 30    

 

North Carolina S 647

Introduced: 03/30/2015

Sponsor: Senator Norman Sanderson  

Issue Brief: Animal Traps  

Summary: Amends the trapping law relating to conibear type traps.

Status: Re-referred to Senate Committee on Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources on April 30 

 

 

Iowa S 504

Introduced: 05/04/2015

Sponsor: Senate Ways and Means Committee

Issue Brief: Conservation Sales Tax

Summary: Relates to state sales and use taxes and to an amendment to the Iowa Constitution ratified on November 2, 2010, which created a natural resources and outdoor recreation trust fund and dedicated a portion of state revenues to the fund for the purposes of protecting and enhancing water quality and natural areas in the state including parks, trails, and fish and wildlife habitat, and conserving agricultural soils in the state; provides that the fund is codified pursuant to the amendment, the amount credited/.

Status: From Senate Committee on Ways and Means: Do pass on May 4

 

 

Illinois H 352

Introduced: 01/28/2015

Sponsor: Representative Pat Verschoore, Member, Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus

Issue Brief: General   

Summary: Amends the Wildlife Code; removes the prohibition on taking bobcats in the State; provides that it shall be unlawful for any person to trap or to hunt bobcats with gun, dog, dog and gun, or bow and arrow, except during the open season; provides that the season limit for bobcat shall not exceed one bobcat per permit; provides that the pelts of bobcats shall be tagged; requires Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permits.

Status: To Senate Committee on Agriculture on May 6

 

Louisiana S 210

Introduced: 04/13/2015

Sponsor: Senator Neil Riser, Member, Louisiana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus

Issue Brief: Game Meat Donation  

Summary: Provides for the administration and uses of monies in the Hunters for the Hungry Account.

Status: To Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Environment on May 4

 

Louisiana S 212

Introduced: 04/13/2015

Sponsor: Senator Rick Ward

Issue Brief: Guns

Summary: Authorizes bow hunters to carry any caliber firearm on their person while hunting with a bow.

Status: To Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Environment on May 4

 

Missouri H 92

Introduced: 01/07/2015

Sponsor: Representative Rocky Miller  

Issue Brief: Angling Access

Summary: Changes the definition of waters of the State by removing waters of the United States lying within the State from the definition.

Status: To House Committee on Fiscal Review on May 6 

 

Missouri SCR 25

Introduced: 02/19/2015

Sponsor: Representative Brian Munzlinger, Member, Missouri Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus   

Issue Brief: General

Summary: Establishes the Missouri Wildlife Revitalization Task Force.

Status: From House Select Committee on Agriculture: Reported do pass as substituted on May 4  

 

Texas H 215

Introduced: 01/13/2015

Sponsor: Representative Patricia Harless, Member, Texas Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus   

Issue Brief: Seniors; Veterans

Summary: Relates to waiving the fee for a fishing license for residents of this state who are at least 65 years of age.

Status: From House Committee on Culture, Recreation, and Tourism: Reported favorably on May 1   

 

Texas H 721

Introduced: 01/14/2015

Sponsor: Representative Joe Farias, Member, Texas Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus   

Issue Brief: Seniors; Veterans

Summary: Relates to the hunting or fishing license fee waiver for certain disabled veterans.

Status: Passed House; to Senate on May 4  

 

Texas H 849

Introduced: 01/21/2015

Sponsor: Representative Chris Paddie, Member, Texas Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus   

Issue Brief: Outdoor Sport Tax Holiday

Summary: Relates to an exemption from the sales tax for firearms and hunting supplies for a limited period.

Status: Placed on General State Calendar May 6  

 

Texas H 905

Introduced: 01/23/2015

Sponsor: Representative John Frullo, Member, Texas Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus     

Issue Brief: Knife Preemption

Summary: Relates to the regulation of knives by municipality or county.

Status: Passed House; to Senate on May 5  

 

Texas H 2892

Introduced: 03/10/2015

Sponsor: Representative Andrew Murr, Member, Texas Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus   

Issue Brief: Angling Access

Summary: Relates to the procedure by which a state agency may issue an opinion that a watercourse is navigable.

Status: Committee report sent to calendars on May 5  

 

Texas S 228

Introduced: 01/13/2015

Sponsor: Senator Brandon Creighton, Member, Texas Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus   

Issue Brief: Outdoor Sport Tax Holiday  

Summary: Relates to an exemption from the sales tax for firearms and hunting supplies for a limited period.

Status: To House Committee on Ways and Means on May 4  

 

Texas S 1181

Introduced: 03/10/2015

Sponsor: Senator Don Huffines, Member, Texas Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus   

Issue Brief: General License

Summary: Relates to an interim study concerning this state's noncommercial hunting and fishing license systems.

Status: To House Committee on Culture, Recreation, and Tourism on May 5

 

Texas SJR 22

Introduced: 01/13/2015

Sponsor: Senator Brandon Creighton, Member, Texas Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus   

Issue Brief: Right to Hunt/ Fish  

Summary: Proposes a constitutional amendment relating to the right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife.

Status: To House Committee on Culture, Recreation, and Tourism on May 5 

Nevada A 78

Introduced: 02/02/2015

Sponsor: Assembly Natural Resources, Agriculture and Mining Committee

Issue Brief: General    

Summary: Make various other changes relating to wildlife; revises the process by which the Board of Wildlife Commissioners establishes certain policies and adopts certain regulations; revises provisions governing programs for the management and control of predatory wildlife; revises certain provisions governing county advisory boards to manage wildlife; revises the membership of the State Predatory Animal and Rodent Committee.

Status: Assembly refused to concur in Senate amendments on May 4  

 

Nevada S 417

Introduced: 03/19/2015

Sponsor: Senate Natural Resources Committee

Issue Brief: General    

Summary: Prohibits the use of telemetry data to hunt or kill game mammals or game birds or other wildlife; provides a penalty; provides that a violation of the provisions which govern wildlife is a misdemeanor; prohibits the use of any information obtained from a radio signal or other transmission received from any transmitting device that is attached to or placed for the purpose of detecting a game mammal, game bird or other wildlife to harass or take any game mammal, game bird or other wildlife.

Status: To enrollment on May 4

 

Nevada SJR 11

Introduced: 03/06/2015

Sponsor: Senator Scott Hammond, Co-Chair, Nevada Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus

Issue Brief: Right to Hunt/Fish   

Summary: Proposes to amend the Nevada Constitution to preserve the right to hunt, trap and fish in this State.

Status: Passed Assembly on May 4  

 

Oregon H 2534

Introduced: 02/02/2015

Sponsor: Representative Brad Witt, Member, Oregon Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus

Issue Brief: General    

Summary: Directs State Fish and Wildlife Commission to adopt rules prohibiting use of drones for certain purposes related to pursuit of wildlife.

Status: Passed Senate on May 30   

 

Washington H 2107

Introduced: 02/11/2015

Sponsor: Representative Joel Kretz

Issue Brief: General    

Summary: Requires the department of fish and wildlife to update the 2011 wolf conservation and management plan to ensure the establishment of a self-sustaining population of gray wolves while also ensuring social tolerance of wolf recovery.

Status: To Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Parks on May 1