Introduced: 04/15/2015
Sponsor: Senator Anne Gobi, Co-Chair, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Crossbows
Summary: Relates to the use of crossbows in hunting.
Status: To Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture: Ought to pass on January 20
Introduced: 04/15/2015
Sponsor: Senator Anne Gobi, Co-Chair, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Sunday Hunting
Summary: Relates to bow and arrow hunting season.
Status: To Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture: Ought to pass on January 20
Introduced: 04/15/2015
Sponsor: Senator Mark Montigny
Issue Brief: Dog Tethering
Summary: Relates to tethering of dogs.
Status: Scheduled hearing pending for January 21
Introduced: 01/08/2015
Sponsor: Representative John Burt, Member, New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Firearm Suppressors
Summary: Repeals provisions which prohibit the use of silencing devices for taking wildlife and impose penalties therefor.
Status: Passed House. To Senate on January 7
Introduced: 01/08/2015
Sponsor: Representative Guy Comtois
Issue Brief: Guns
Summary: I: increases the length of time for which a license to carry a pistol or revolver is valid; II: allows a person to carry a loaded, concealed pistol or revolver without a license provided such person is not otherwise prohibited by law; III: repeals the requirement to obtain a license to carry a concealed pistol or revolver; 15-0798 04/09.
Status: Passed House. To Senate on January 6
Introduced: 01/06/2016
Sponsor: Representative Mark Proulx
Issue Brief: Guns
Summary: Allows a person to carry a rifle or shotgun in a motor vehicle, OHRV, snowmobile, boat, aircraft, or other vehicle; 16-2212 04/05.
Status: Public hearing to be held on January 26
Introduced: 11/16/2015
Sponsor: Representative Tim Eustace
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Prohibits possession and transport of parts and products of certain animal at Port Authority of New York and New Jersey airports and port facilities.
Status: Pocket Veto by Governor on January 19
Introduced: 01/12/2016
Sponsor: Senator Raymond Lesniak
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Requires use of bear-resistant containers, dumpsters, or food boxes in certain areas located in black bear habitat under certain circumstances, including garbage collection, and prohibits certain actions that would result in feeding of black bears.
Status: To Senate Committee on Economic Growth on January 12
Introduced: 01/12/2016
Sponsor: Senator Fred Madden
Issue Brief: Ammunition
Summary: Prohibits possession of ammunition capable of penetrating body armor.
Status: To Senate Committee on Law and Public Safety on January 12
Introduced: 01/12/2016
Sponsor: Senator Raymond Lesniak
Issue Brief: Animal Traps
Summary: Determines that Fish and Game Council's proposal to allow use of enclosed foothold traps is inconsistent with plain language and legislative intent of 1984 law banning animal traps of steel-jaw leghold type.
Status: To Senate Committee on Environment and Energy on January 12
Introduced: 08/10/2015
Sponsor: Senator Raymond Lesniak
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Prohibits possession, transport, import, export, processing, sale, or shipment of certain animal species threatened with extinction; provides that no person shall possess, transport, import, export, process, sell or offer for sale, or ship, and no common carrier or contract carrier shall knowingly transport or receive for shipment any part or product of any big five African species or any species or subspecies of specified wild animals listed on certain endangered species acts; provides civil penalties.
Status: Pocket Veto by Governor on January 19
Introduced: 11/09/2015
Sponsor: Senator Teresa Ruiz
Issue Brief: Guns
Summary: Requires firearm retailers to sell personalized handguns in the same manner as other handguns; repeals sections of law prohibiting the sale of all handguns after personalized handguns are available for retail purposes; requires each wholesaler or retail dealer to maintain an inventory of the types of personalized handguns to be displayed in the dealer's salesroom and offered for sale to the general public.
Status: Pocket Veto by Governor on January 19
Introduced: 01/28/2015
Sponsor: Assemblyman Fred Thiele
Issue Brief: Conservation Tax Incentive
Summary: Amends the Tax Law; makes technical corrections to the conservation easement tax credit.
Status: Amended in Assembly Committee on Ways and Means on January 20
Introduced: 03/16/2015
Sponsor: Assemblywoman 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.
Status: Amended in Assembly Committee on Codes on January 15
Introduced: 01/07/2015
Sponsor: Senator Patrick Gallivan, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Eliminates the requirement that hunters wear back tags during hunting season in the state.
Status: To Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation on January 6
Introduced: 01/07/2015
Sponsor: Senator Patrick Gallivan, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Amends the Environmental Conservation law; relates to hunting or trapping of moose; provides the department may issue a license by rule or regulation to allow the taking of individual animals that are deemed to be destructive; establishes a license lottery for moose when conditions warrant control of individual animals or when such big game animals constitute a nuisance population; prohibits a person taking, possessing or transporting moose shall fail to comply with any requirements established by rules.
Status: To Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation on January 6
Introduced: 01/08/2015
Sponsor: Senator Jose Peralta
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.
Status: Amended in Senate Committee on Codes on January 12
Introduced: 01/30/2015
Sponsor: Senator Robert Ortt
Issue Brief: Animal Traps
Summary: Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; relates to the regulation of live restraint cable devices to take wildlife; authorizes regulations by the department of environmental conservation.
Status: Amended in Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation on January 7
Introduced: 02/20/2015
Sponsor: Senator Kathleen Marchione, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus Issue Brief: Outdoor Sport Tax Holiday
Summary: Amends the Tax Law; provides a 25% tax credit against personal income taxes for the purchase of gun safety equipment up to $500.
Status: Amended in Senate Committee on Investigations and government Operations on January 16
Introduced: 02/11/2015
Sponsor: Senator Carl Macellino
Issue Brief: American System of Conservation Funding
Summary: Develops a course of action for the repayment over the next five years of monies transferred from the environmental protection fund to the general fund.
Status: Amended in Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation on January 15
Introduced: 01/13/2016
Sponsor: Representative Michael Ranzenhofer
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; relates to permits for non-ambulatory persons to possess loaded firearms in motor vehicles; defines non-ambulatory as being unable to move about in a field, wood or other hunting arena without mechanical assistance.
Status: To Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation on January 13
Introduced: 01/19/2016
Sponsor: Senator Diane Savino
Issue Brief: Knife Definitions
Summary: Amends the Penal Law; relates to the definitions of a switchblade knife and a gravity knife; excludes knives which have a spring, detent, or other mechanism designed to create a bias toward closure and that requires exertion applied to the blade by hand, wrist, or arm to overcome the bias toward closure and open the knife.
Status: To Senate Committee on Codes on January 19
Introduced: 01/15/2016
Sponsor: Representative J. Aaron Regunberg
Issue Brief: Full Capacity Magazines
Summary: Criminalizes the manufacture, import, possession, purchase, sale or transfer of any ammunition feeding device capable of accepting more than ten (10) rounds.
Status: To House Committee on Judiciary on January 15
Introduced: 01/14/2016
Sponsor: Representative Joanna Cole
Issue Brief: Guns
Summary: Relates to approval of an amendment to the charter of the City of Burlington prohibiting possession of firearms on premises where alcohol is licensed to be served.
Status: To House Committee on Government Operations on January 15
Introduced: 01/14/2016
Sponsor: Representative David Deen, Member, Vermont Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Crossbows; Enforcement; Interstate Wildlife Violators Compact
Summary: Relates to hunting, fishing, and trapping.
Status: To House Committee on Fish, Wildlife and Water Resources
Introduced: 01/19/2016
Sponsor: Representative Kesha Ram
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to miscellaneous timber harvesting, forestry, and state lands issues.
Status: To House Committee on Agriculture and Forest Products on January 20
Introduced: 01/19/2016
Sponsor: Representative Patrick Brennan, Co-Chair, Vermont Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to authorizing the use of a light to hunt coyotes.
Status: To House Committee on Fish, Wildlife and Water Resources on January 20
Introduced: 01/13/2016
Sponsor: Delegate L. Scott Lingamfelter, Co-Chair, Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Sporting Rifle
Summary: Relates to transfer of assault weapon; relates to proof of citizenship; makes consistent the type of identification and other documentation that a purchaser of a firearm must present when purchasing any type of firearm from a licensed dealer by removing the additional requirement for the purchase of an assault weapon that a person who purchases such a weapon must present proof of citizenship; relates to provisions prohibiting the sale of assault firearms to noncitizens.
Status: To House Committee on Militia, Police and Public Safety on January 21
Introduced: 01/13/2016
Sponsor: Delegate Michael Webert
Issue Brief: Guns
Summary: Relates to regulation of firearms by state entities; prohibits any state entity from adopting or enforcing any rule, regulation, policy, or administrative action governing the purchase, possession, transfer, ownership, carrying, storage, or transporting of firearms, ammunition, or components or combinations thereof unless expressly authorized by statute; invalidates any such rule, regulation, policy, or administrative action adopted by a state entity; relates to a law-enforcement officer.
Status: To House Committee on Militia, Police and Public Safety on January 21
Introduced: 01/16/2016
Sponsor: Delegate Bob Marshall
Issue Brief: Guns
Summary: Relates to concealed handgun permits; relates to reciprocity; provides that the Superintendent of State Police shall continue to recognize any valid concealed handgun or concealed weapon permit or license issued by another state where such state's permit or license was, as of November 1, 2015, recognized by the Superintendent of State Police as authorizing the holder of such permit or license to carry a concealed handgun in the Commonwealth.
Status: To House Committee on Militia, Police and Public Safety on January 21
Introduced: 01/18/2016
Sponsor: Delegate Eileen Filler-Corn
Issue Brief: Guns
Summary: Relates to sales tax exemption; relates to gun safes; establishes an exemption from retail sales tax for the purchase of a gun safe with a selling price of $1,000 or less; defines a gun safe as a safe or vault that is commercially available, secured with a digital or dial combination locking mechanism or biometric locking mechanism, and designed for the storage of a firearm or for ammunition for use in a firearm; provides that under the bill a gun safe does not include a glass-faced cabinet.
Status: In House on January 21
Introduced: 01/13/2016
Sponsor: Senator Richard Black
Issue Brief: Guns
Summary: Relates to concealed handgun permits; allows any person who is otherwise eligible to obtain a concealed handgun permit to carry a concealed handgun without a permit anywhere he may lawfully carry a handgun openly within the Commonwealth.
Status: From Senate Committee on Courts of Justice: Reported favorably on January 20
Introduced: 01/13/2016
Sponsor: Senator David Marsden
Issue Brief: Guns
Summary: Relates to public places; relates to loaded firearms; prohibits the carrying of certain loaded firearms in public places; provides that concealed handgun permit holders, law-enforcement officers, licensed security guards, military personnel in the performance of their lawful duties, persons hunting, and persons at shooting ranges are exempt; provides that the bill narrows the definition of a firearm and makes the prohibition, which previously applied only to certain localities, apply statewide.
Status: In Senate Committee on Courts of Justice: Passed by indefinitely on January 20
Introduced: 01/13/2016
Sponsor: Senator David Marsden
Issue Brief: Guns
Summary: Relates to concealed handgun permits; relates to concealed handgun permits, online training courses, governmental police agency training courses and proof of competence.
Status: In Senate Committee on Courts of Justice: Passed by indefinitely on January 20
Introduced: 01/13/2016
Sponsor: Senator Lynwood Lewis, Member, Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to recreational oyster harvest; limits the exemption for taking up to one bushel of oysters for personal use on Sunday to those Sundays within a prescribed oyster harvest season and public oyster grounds or unleased bottom that has been designated as open for harvesting.
Status: In House Agriculture, Chesapeake & Natural Resources Subcommittee on Agriculture on January 21
Introduced: 01/13/2016
Sponsor: Senator Adam Ebbin
Issue Brief: Guns; NICS
Summary: Relates to transfer of firearms; relates to criminal history record information check; relates to penalties; adds a definition of firearms show vendor or vendor; requires that a criminal history record information check be performed on the prospective transferee before the vendor may transfer firearms at a gun show; provides that under current law, only licensed dealers must obtain such a check; requires that the promoter of a firearms show provide vendors access to licensed dealers.
Status: From Senate Committee on Courts of Justice: Reported as substituted (see S. 220) on January 20
Introduced: 01/13/2016
Sponsor: Senator Creigh Deeds, Member, Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to free fishing days; removes the prohibition against fishing without a license in waters stocked with trout by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries or other public body on days designated by the Department as free fishing days.
Status: In House Agriculture, Chesapeake & Natural Resources Subcommittee on Agriculture on January 21