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: Bill sponsors who are members of the National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses are noted in bold.

Updates for the week of 

January 25, 2016
NORTHEASTERN STATES


Introduced: 06/16/2015
Sponsor: Representative Debra Heffernan
Issue Brief: Catch Share
Summary: Authorizes the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control to manage the eel fishery by regulation in order to adopt limits and sizes that are consistent with the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for American Eel ("Plan").
Status: In Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Environmental Control on January 27
 
Introduced: 03/06/2015
Sponsor: Representative Michael Shaw, Member, 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 January 27  

Introduced: 01/14/2016
Sponsor: Senator Andre Cushing, Member, Maine Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus 
Issue Brief: Ammunition; Guns 
Summary: Prohibits a rental agreement for the provision of public housing from containing a provision requiring a tenant to agree to a prohibition on the lawful ownership, use, possession, bearing or transportation of a firearm, firearm component or ammunition on or within the premises by a tenant, tenant's household member or guest.
Status: Filed as LR 2539 on January 20

Introduced: 01/21/2016
Sponsor: Carroll County Delegation
Issue Brief: Access Private Lands; Sunday Hunting 
Summary: Authorizes a person to hunt turkey on private property on Sundays during the spring turkey hunting season in Carroll County; makes the Act an emergency measure.
Status: To House Committee on Environment and Transportation on January 21
 
Introduced: 01/21/2016
Sponsor: Caroline County Delegation
Issue Brief: Access Private Lands; Sunday Hunting 
Summary: Authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to allow a person in Caroline County to hunt any game bird or game mammal, except migratory game birds and wetland game birds, on a Sunday on specified land during the open season for that game bird or game mammal; makes specified conforming changes.
Status: To House Committee on Environment and Transportation on January 21 
 
Introduced: 01/21/2016
Sponsor: Senator Bryan Simonaire, Member, Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Seniors; Veterans 
Summary: Authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to issue specified complimentary hunting and fishing licenses to an out-of-state person who certifies that the person is a former prisoner of war, or a 100% service connected disabled American veteran, under specified circumstances; requires the Department to implement a program to provide specified discounted licenses to recipients of the Purple Heart Award.
Status: In Senate Committee on Education, Health & Environmental Affairs on February 9 

Introduced: 03/11/2015
Sponsor: Representative Paul Frost
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to the Powers and duties of the Director of Fisheries and Wildlife in the management and control of wildlife.
Status: From Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture: Accompanied by Bill S 415 on January 25
 
Introduced: 03/11/2015
Sponsor: Representative William Strauss  
Issue Brief: Sunday Hunting
Summary: Authorizes bow and arrow hunting on Sundays.
Status: From Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture: Accompanied by Bill S 415 on January 25
 
Introduced: 03/11/2015
Sponsor: Representative Nicholas Boldyga, Member, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Full Capacity Magazines  
Summary: Relates to the purchasing of rifles, shotguns and feeding devices.
Status: Scheduled hearing pending for January 28  
 
Introduced: 03/11/2015
Sponsor: Representative James Miceli, Member, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Firearm Preemption   
Summary: Prohibits local ordinances or Laws regulating firearms and weapons.
Status: Scheduled hearing pending for January 28  
 
Introduced: 03/11/2015
Sponsor: Representative David Vieira, Co-Chair, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Guns    
Summary: Relates to the transportation of firearms by non-residents.
Status: Scheduled hearing pending for January 28  
 
Introduced: 03/27/2015
Sponsor: Representative Nicholas Boldyga, Member, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Sunday Hunting     
Summary: Permits hunting on Sundays.
Status: From Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture: Accompanied by Bill S 415 on January 25
 
Introduced: 03/27/2015
Sponsor: Representative Nicholas Boldyga, Member, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Crossbows; General      
Summary: Permits the use of crossbows to hunt deer during exclusive archery season.
Status: From Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture: Accompanied by Bill S 414 on January 25
 
Introduced: 03/27/2015
Sponsor: Representative Carmine Gentile
Issue Brief: Sunday Hunting       
Summary: Repeals hunting restrictions on Sundays.
Status: From Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture: Accompanied by Bill S 415 on January 25

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 Senate Committee on Rules on January 25
 
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 Senate Committee on Ways and Means on January 25

Introduced: 04/15/2015
Sponsor: Senator Anne Gobi, Co-Chair, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus  
Issue Brief: Sunday Hunting       
Summary: Relates to hunting with a bow and arrow.
Status: From Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture: Accompanied by Bill S 415 on January 25
 
Introduced: 04/15/2015
Sponsor: Senator Donald Humason, Member, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus 
Issue Brief: Crossbows; General        
Summary: Relates to the use of crossbows in hunting.
Status: From Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture: Accompanied by Bill S 414 on January 25
 
Introduced: 04/15/2015
Sponsor: Senator Donald Humason, Member, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus 
Issue Brief: Sunday Hunting
Summary: Relates to Sunday hunting.
Status: From Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture: Accompanied by Bill S 415 on January 25

Introduced: 04/15/2015
Sponsor: Senator Donald Humason, Member, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus 
Issue Brief: Crossbows  
Summary: Relates to the use of crossbows.  
Status: From Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture: Accompanied by Bill S 414 on January 25
 
Introduced: 04/15/2015
Sponsor: Senator Anne Gobi, Co-Chair, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus  
Issue Brief: Guns; Recruitment  
Summary: Regulates the issuance of firearms identification cards.
Status: Scheduled hearing pending for January 28
 
Introduced: 04/15/2015
Sponsor: Senator Donald Humason, Member, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus 
Issue Brief: Guns
Summary: Relates to firearm owners protection.
Status: Scheduled hearing pending for January 28
 
Introduced: 04/15/2015
Sponsor: Senator Donald Humason, Member, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus 
Issue Brief: Firearm Suppressors  
Summary: Relates to suppressors.
Status: Scheduled hearing pending for January 28
 
Introduced: 04/15/2015
Sponsor: Senator Donald Humason, Member, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus 
Issue Brief: Guns; Sporting Rifles   
Summary: Repeals the ban on modern sporting rifles.
Status: Scheduled hearing pending for January 28 

Introduced: 01/14/2016
Sponsor: Representative Clyde Carson          
Issue Brief: Seniors; Veterans  
Summary: Allows a veteran with a disability rating of at least 60 percent from the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs to receive a special hunting and fishing license upon payment of an administrative fee only; 16-2791 10/09.
Status: Filed as LR 2791 on January 20 
 
Introduced: 04/27/2015
Sponsor: Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner  
Issue Brief: Anti   
Summary: Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; relates to the illegal taking of deer.
Status: Amended in Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation on January 27    
 
Introduced: 01/19/2016
Sponsor: Assemblyman Dan Quart
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 Assembly Committee on Codes on January 19   

Introduced: 01/25/2016
Sponsor: Assemblywoman Vivian Cook   
Issue Brief: General 
Summary: Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; requires copies of fish and wildlife Laws be made available to public anywhere fishing licenses are sold and requires posting of advisories on restrictions on fishing in particular bodies of water at specified locations.
Status: To Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation on January 25 

Introduced: 01/13/2015
Sponsor: Senator Tom O'Mara, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Appreciation in Schools
Summary: Relates to hunting, fishing and outdoor education in high school physical education courses.
Status: To Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation on January 6
 
Introduced: 01/15/2015
Sponsor: Senator Carl Marcellino
Issue Brief: Conservation Tax Incentive
Summary: Amends the Tax Law; makes technical corrections to the conservation easement tax credit.
Status: To Senate Committee on Investigations and Government Operations on January 6
 
Introduced: 01/30/2015
Sponsor: Senator Michael Ranzenhofer, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus 
Issue Brief: General  
Summary: Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; protects certain information on hunting, fishing and trapping license and permit applications from disclosure or release outside of the department of environmental conservation.
Status: To Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation on January 6  
 
Introduced: 02/02/2015
Sponsor: Senator William Larkin  
Issue Brief: Seniors; Veterans
Summary: Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; provides for lifetime sportsman licenses for honorably discharged, disabled veterans.
Status: To Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation on January 6  
 
Introduced: 02/02/2015
Sponsor: Senator Rich Funke, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus    
Issue Brief: Seniors; Veterans
Summary: Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; provides an exemption from requirements for fishing licenses for members of the U.S. armed Forces who are on leave from active military duty.
Status: To Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation on January 6  
 
Introduced: 02/02/2015
Sponsor: Senator Catharine Young, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus 
Issue Brief: Seniors; Veterans
Summary: Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; provides for free hunting, fishing and trapping licenses to residents of the state who are active duty members of the U.S. armed Forces regardless of where such person is stationed.
Status: To Senate Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs on January 6
 
Introduced: 02/02/2015
Sponsor: Senator Patty Ritchie, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus   
Issue Brief: General  
Summary: Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; directs the commissioner of environmental conservation to create gift cards for hunting and fishing licenses.
Status: To Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation on January 6
 
Introduced: 05/11/2015
Sponsor: Representative David Maloney, Member, Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Appreciation in School
Summary: Amends Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in hunting and furtaking licenses; provides for eligibility for license; provides for hunter education in public schools.
Status: In Senate Committee on game and Fisheries on January 26
 
Introduced: 11/30/2015
Sponsor: Representative Dan Miller
Issue Brief: Enforcement
Summary: Amends Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes; provides for trespass on private property while hunting.
Status: In House Committee on Game and Fisheries on January 27
 
Introduced: 11/30/2015
Sponsor: Representative Barry Jozwiak
Issue Brief: Hunting Dogs
Summary: Amends Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in hunting and furtaking; provides for dogs pursuing, injuring or killing big game.
Status: In House Committee on Game and Fisheries on January 27
 
Introduced: 01/22/2016
Sponsor: Senator Mario Scavello 
Issue Brief: Hunting Dogs
Summary: Amends Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in hunting and furtaking; provides for dogs pursuing, injuring or killing big game.
Status: To Senate Committee on Game and Fisheries on January 22
 
Introduced: 01/22/2016
Sponsor: Representative Cale Keable
Issue Brief: Angling Access   
Summary: Would provide for the creation of a new position in the fish and wildlife division of the department of environmental management, and would place oversight of freshwater lakes, streams, and ponds, in the fish and wildlife division. This act would take effect upon passage.
Status: To House Committee on Finance on January 22

Introduced: 01/22/2016
Sponsor: Representative William O'Brien
Issue Brief: Anti   
Summary: Would increase the penalty for cruelty to animals, the malicious injury or killing of animals, from not more than two (2) years to not more than five (5) years, and would increase the mandatory community service from ten (10) hours to fifty (50) hours. This act would take effect upon passage.
Status: To House Committee on Judiciary on January 22
 
Introduced: 01/25/2016
Sponsor: Representative Patrick Brennan, Co-Chair, Vermont Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus    
Issue Brief: Range Protection; Firearm Suppressors
Summary: Relates to use of firearm suppressors at sport shooting ranges.
Status: To House Committee on Fish, Wildlife and Water Resources on January 26  
 
Introduced: 01/25/2016
Sponsor: Representative Patrick Brennan, Co-Chair, Vermont Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus    
Issue Brief: Firearm Suppressors  
Summary: Relates to use of gun suppressors at sport shooting ranges.
Status: To House Committee on Fish, Wildlife and Water Resources on January 26  

Introduced: 01/13/2016
Sponsor: Delegate Brenda Pogge 
Issue Brief: General License 
Summary: Relates to hunting from a waterfowl blind; requires any person who is applying for a blind license to possess a valid hunting license; provides that if a person hunts waterfowl without possessing a basic hunting license, he is guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor.
Status: To House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources on January 27
 
Introduced: 01/13/2016
Sponsor: Delegate Matt Fariss  
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to hunting with a slingshot; allows the hunting of wild birds and wild animals, except deer, bear, elk, and turkey, with a slingshot unless shooting is expressly prohibited.
Status: To House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources on January 27
 
Introduced: 01/21/2016
Sponsor: Delegate Matt Fariss  
Issue Brief: Enforcement; Hunting Dogs
Summary: Relates to trespass by hunters using dogs; punishes as a Class 3 misdemeanor the intentional release by a person of hunting dogs on the lands of another to hunt without the consent of the landowner; punishes a second or subsequent offense committed within three years as a Class 1 misdemeanor and provides for the revocation of the person's hunting license for a period of one year upon conviction.
Status: To House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources on January 21
 
Introduced: 01/22/2016
Sponsor: Delegate Scott Lingamfelter, Co-Chair, Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Guns  
Summary: Relates to firearms shows; relates to voluntary background checks; relates to penalties; requires the Department of State Police to be available to perform background checks for non-dealer sales at gun shows if requested by a party involved in a transaction; the promoter of the firearms shall furnish the Department of State Police sufficient facilities to perform the background checks.
Status: To House Committee on Miltia, Police and Public Safety on January 27
 
Introduced: 01/13/2016
Sponsor: Senator Dick 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: In Senate on Third Reading on January 27
 
Introduced: 01/13/2016
Sponsor: Senator David Marsden  
Issue Brief: Guns 
Summary: Relates to purchase of handguns; relates to limitation on handgun purchases; relates to penalty; prohibits any person who is not a licensed firearms dealer from purchasing more than one handgun in a 30-day period and establishes such an offense as a Class 1 misdemeanor; provides exemptions.
Status: In Senate Courts and Justice Committee on January 27 
 
Introduced: 01/13/2016
Sponsor: Senator David Marsden  
Issue Brief: Full Capacity Magazines; Guns 
Summary: Relates to prohibition of sale or transfer of certain firearms magazines; prohibits any person from selling, bartering, or transferring a firearms magazine designed to hold more than specified number of rounds of ammunition; provides that a violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor; prohibits a person from carrying semi-automatic center-fire firearms with more than 10 rounds of ammunition in a public place; relates to loss of driving privileges for delinquent children involved in firearms offenses.
Status: In Senate Courts and Justice Committee on January 27 
 
Introduced: 01/13/2016
Sponsor: Senator Lewis Lynwood, 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 Senate on Third Reading (Uncontested Calendar) on January 27  
 
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 Senate on Third Reading (Uncontested Calendar) on January 27  
 
Introduced: 01/21/2016
Sponsor: Senator Emmett Hanger, Co-Chair, Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus  
Issue Brief: Guns
Summary: Relates to Concealed Carry Reciprocity Advisory Commission; establishes the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Advisory Commission (the Commission) as a legislative commission; provides that the Commission will review the laws of other States to determine whether the Commonwealth should recognize concealed handgun or concealed weapon permits in other States and will approve the entering into and rescinding of reciprocity agreements with other States.
Status: In Senate Courts of Justice Committee on January 27    
 
Introduced: 01/21/2016
Sponsor: Senator John Edwards 
Issue Brief: Guns 
Summary: Relates to firearms shows; relates to voluntary background checks; relates to penalties.
Status: In Senate Courts and Justice Committee on January 27  


SOUTHEASTERN STATES


Introduced: 01/12/2016
Sponsor: Representative David Santiago, Member, Florida Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Angling Access; General License
Summary: Relates to identification cards and driver licenses; provides for persons status as lifetime freshwater fishing, saltwater fishing, hunting, or sportsman licensee, or boater safety identification cardholder, to be indicated on his or her identification card or driver license upon payment of additional fee and presentation of persons lifetime freshwater fishing, saltwater fishing, hunting, or sportsman's license or boater safety identification card; provides waiver of replacement fee in certain circumstances.
Status: In House. On Committee agenda on January 28

Introduced: 01/12/2016
Sponsor: Senator Miguel Diaz  
Issue Brief: Angling Access   
Summary: Relates to dredge and fill activities; revises the acreage of wetlands and other surface Waters subject to impact by dredge and fill activities under a state programmatic general permit; provides that seeking to use such a permit consents to specified federal wetland jurisdiction criteria.
Status: In Senate. Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) on January 27

Introduced: 01/19/2016
Sponsor: Senator Robin Webb, President, National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses  
Issue Brief: Knife Definitions  
Summary: Prevents county and local governments from regulating knives; removes knives from the definition of a deadly weapon; defines dangerous instrument wherever the term is used in KRS; includes dangerous instruments in provisions concerning deadly weapons.
Status: To Senate Committee on State and Local Government on January 21

Introduced: 01/14/2016
Sponsor: Representative Pat Marsh, Member, Tennessee Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus 
Issue Brief: General License
Summary: Relates to Game and Fish Laws; creates a lifetime nonresident sportsman license for nonresidents who own real property in this state.
Status: In House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources: Assigned to Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee on January 21
  
Introduced: 01/19/2016
Sponsor: Representative Jay Reedy, Co-Chair, Tennessee Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus 
Issue Brief: Invasive Species  
Summary: Relates to Game and Fish Laws; creates a nine-member task force to make recommendations for statutory changes to protect the state's wildlife and waterways against any detrimental effects of invasive Asian carp.
Status: In House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources: Assigned to Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee on January 21  

Introduced: 01/19/2016
Sponsor: Representative Steve McDaniel, Member, Tennessee Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus 
Issue Brief: General   
Summary: Relates to Environmental Preservation; creates the forum on Tennessee's great outdoors for the purpose of conducting a comprehensive review of the health and status of this state's natural resources and outdoor recreation needs and opportunities.
Status: In House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources: Assigned to Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee on January 21  
 
Introduced: 01/19/2016
Sponsor: Senator Steve Southerland, Member, Tennessee Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus  
Issue Brief: General   
Summary: Relates to Environmental Preservation; creates the forum on the state's great outdoors for the purpose of conducting a comprehensive review of the health and status of this state's natural resources and outdoor recreation needs and opportunities.
Status: To Senate Committee on Government Operations on January 25
 
Introduced: 01/21/2016
Sponsor: Senator Ken Yager   
Issue Brief: Invasives
Summary: Relates to Morgan County; authorizes private property owners to eradicate wild hogs year round in the county by any means necessary; prohibits the eradication of wild hogs using dogs during seasons designated for deer hunting.
Status: Introduced on January 21  
 
Introduced: 01/20/2016
Sponsor: Delegate George Ambler, Member, West Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus   
Issue Brief: Sunday Hunting
Summary: Removes restrictions for hunting or trapping on private lands on Sundays.
Status: To House Committee on Judiciary on January 27  

Introduced: 01/20/2016
Sponsor: Delegate Chris Stansbury, Co-Chair, West Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Access Private Lands; General License; Sunday Hunting  
Summary: Establishes criminal penalties for the illegal taking of deer.
Status: To House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on January 20

Introduced: 01/21/2016
Sponsor: Delegate Steve Westfall    
Issue Brief: Access Private Lands  
Summary: Provides a hunting license exemption for certain nonresident landowners.
Status: To House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on January 21

Introduced: 01/25/2016
Sponsor: Delegate Bill Hamilton, Member, West Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus       
Issue Brief: General  
Summary: Relates to the taking and registration of wildlife including electronic registration of beaver, otter and big game animals.
Status: To House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on January 25

Introduced: 01/26/2016
Sponsor: Delegate Danny Hamrick    
Issue Brief: Sunday Hunting
Summary: Removes restrictions for hunting or trapping on private lands on Sundays.
Status: To House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on January 26   

Introduced: 01/13/2016
Sponsor: Senator Mark Maynard     
Issue Brief: General  
Summary: Concerns the Department of Natural Resources rule relating to prohibitions when hunting and trapping.
Status: In Senate: Read first time on January 27    

Introduced: 01/20/2016
Sponsor: Senator Robert Karnes, Member, West Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus      
Issue Brief: Crossbows
Summary: Relates to crossbow hunting; prohibits use of crossbow with Class A hunting and trapping license; permit crossbow hunting with Class RB and Class RRB licenses; permit crossbow hunting with Class UU license; permit crossbow hunting with Class BG stamp.
Status: To Senate Committee on Natural Resources on January 20     

Introduced: 01/21/2016
Sponsor: Senator Gregory Boso      
Issue Brief: Seniors; Veterans
Summary: Relates to permitting lineal descendants of landowner to hunt, trap and fish on that landowner's property without obtaining a license.
Status: To Senate Committee on Natural Resources on January 21     


MIDWESTERN STATES


Introduced: 01/11/2016
Sponsor: Representative Lloyd Arnold      
Issue Brief: Access Private Lands   
Summary: Requires the director of the department of natural resources to establish a deer hunting season in which certain rifles may be used; authorizes the use of purple marks to post real property against trespassers.
Status: From House Committee on Natural Resources: Do pass on January 25

Introduced: 01/05/2016
Sponsor: Senator David Long
Issue Brief: Right to Hunt and Fish
Summary: Prescribes the ballot language for the proposed constitutional amendment concerning the right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife.
Status: From Senate Committee on Election: Do pass on January 26

Introduced: 01/05/2016
Sponsor: Senator Mark Messmer, Member, Indiana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus    
Issue Brief: High Fence  
Summary: Provides that the department of natural resources may not regulate certain privately owned captive bred wild animal hunting preserves; establishes licensing requirements, inspection requirements and fees; exempts licensed hunting preserves and cervidae livestock operations from certain licensing requirements; requires a transportation or cull tag be affixed to each animal taken on a hunting preserve; prohibits computer assisted remote hunting on hunting preserves.
Status: Passed Senate (29-19. To house on January 21
 
Introduced: 01/15/2016
Sponsor: Representative Kraig Paulsen, Member, Iowa Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus     
Issue Brief: General License
Summary: Allows fishing without a license on certain private lakes and ponds; provides a penalty.
Status: To House Committee on Natural Resources on January 15 
 
Introduced: 01/19/2016
Sponsor: Senator Mark Chelgren      
Issue Brief: Enforcement
Summary: Relates to possession and use of certain handguns while hunting deer; includes penalties.
Status: In Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Environment (Subcommittee assignment: Dearden, Bolkom, Shipley) on January 20
 
Iowa SJR 2003
Introduced: 01/26/2016
Sponsor: Senator Dick Dearden, Co-Chair, Iowa Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus       
Issue Brief: Right to Hunt and Fish 
Summary: Provides that the people of the state have a right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife
Status: To Senate Committee on Rules and Administration on January 26 
 
Introduced: 01/22/2016
Sponsor: Representative Travis Couture-Lovelady, Member, Kansas Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Right to Hunt and Fish
Summary: Amends the bill of rights of the constitution of the state of Kansas by adding a new section thereto, relating to the public right to hunt, fish and trap wildlife.
Status: House Hearing held on January 26 
 
Introduced: 01/06/2016
Sponsor: Representative Don Rone
Issue Brief: Off Highway Vehicles 
Summary: Allows all-terrain vehicles to be used by individuals sixty years of age or older on conservation land for the purposes of hunting or fishing.
Status: To House Committee on Conservation and Natural Resources on January 20  
 
Introduced: 01/06/2016
Sponsor: Representative Jered Taylor, Member, Missouri Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus     
Issue Brief: Outdoor Sporting Tax Holiday 
Summary: Authorizes a sales tax holiday for a new firearm purchased on the Saturday following July fourth.
Status: To House Committee on Ways and Means on January 20   

Introduced: 01/19/2016
Sponsor: Representative Mark Parkinson, Member, Missouri Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus     
Issue Brief: Outdoor Sporting Tax Holiday 
Summary: Establishes the Annual Sportsman Sales Tax Holiday Act which authorizes an annual state sales and use tax exemption on purchases of certain outdoor sportsman equipment for three days in October.
Status: Introduced on January 19     

Introduced: 01/22/2016
Sponsor: Representative Charles Ortega      
Issue Brief: Invasive Species  
Summary: Relates to feral swine; relates to removal of feral swine; eliminates permit requirement to kill feral swine at night; authorizes the use of certain light devices except during deer season; relates to permits to control nuisances; eliminates permit requirement to kill feral swine at night; relates to headlighting; permits the use of certain lights to remove feral swine; provides an effective date.
Status: Prefiled on January 22      

Introduced: 01/22/2016
Sponsor: Senator Jim White, Member, South Dakota Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus       
Issue Brief: Senior; Veterans   
Summary: Revises the provisions regarding the issuance of small game licenses and fishing licenses to certain veterans at reduced fees and to authorize certain nonresident veterans to get nonresident small game licenses at a reduced fee.
Status: To Senate Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on January 22    
   
Introduced: 03/27/2015
Sponsor: Representative Kathleen Bernier, Member, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus       
Issue Brief: Knife Definitions    
Summary: Relates to going armed with a switchblade.
Status: In Senate. Read third time. Passed Senate on January 20

Introduced: 07/29/2015
Sponsor: Representative Nick Milroy, Co-Chair, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to the color of clothing required to be worn during the season for hunting deer with firearms.
Status: Order Enrolled on January 26    

Introduced: 05/05/2015
Sponsor: Senator Frank Lasee, Member, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus    
Issue Brief: General   
Summary: Relates to unattended decoys left in water.
Status: To Assembly Committee on Rules on January 25   

Introduced: 10/14/2015
Sponsor: Senator Richard Gudex
Issue Brief: Angling Access
Summary: Relates to an exemption from civil liability related to the placement of certain structures in navigable waters and wetlands.
Status: To Assembly Committee on Rules on January 25   

Introduced: 12/07/2015
Sponsor: Senator Tom Tiffany, Member, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus       
Issue Brief: General     
Summary: Exempts the naturally shed feathers of a grouse, partridge, pheasant, quail, or wild turkey and the feathers of a lawfully taken of these same species from the current prohibition on the sale, purchase, barter, or trade, the offer to sell, purchase, barter, or trade, and the possession or control for the purposes of selling, bartering, or trading of any wild animal.
Status: In Senate. Read third time. Passed Senate. To Assembly on January 20 

Introduced: 01/22/2016
Sponsor: Senator Tom Tiffany, Member, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus    
Issue Brief: Anti
Summary: Relates to shining wild animals.
Status: To Senate Committee on Sporting Heritage, Mining and Forestry on January 22    


WESTERN STATES 


Introduced: 01/27/2016
Sponsor: Representative Richard Onishi        
Issue Brief: General     
Summary: Establishes a game commission to serve in an advisory capacity to the Governor and the Board of Land and Natural Resources; makes an appropriation.
Status: Hearing held in House Judiciary committee at 2:00pm on January 25 
 
Introduced: 01/21/2016
Sponsor: Representative Scott Saiki
Issue Brief: Ivory    
Summary: Establishes the offense of the unlawful sale or trade of ivory or rhinoceros horn for any person who sells, offers to sell, possesses with the intent to sell, or imports with the intent to sell any ivory or rhinoceros horn; creates exemptions for the sale or trade of ivory or rhinoceros horn.
Status: To House Committee on Water and Land; subsequent referral set for House Committee on Judiciary on January 25  
 
Introduced: 01/21/2016
Sponsor: Representative Cindy Evans 
Issue Brief: Apprentice Hunting License    
Summary: Establishes a state apprentice hunting license to authorize persons without a hunting license to hunt under direct supervision of a licensed hunter.
Status: To House Committee on Water and Land; subsequent referral set for House Committees on Judiciary and Finance on January 25  
 
Introduced: 01/20/2016
Sponsor: Senator Ronald Kouchi  
Issue Brief: General     
Summary: Proposes an amendment to Article XI of the State Constitution to require the State to manage game animals, subject to guidelines established by the Legislature, for the public's sustained use and enjoyment of game animals as a protected state resource.
Status: Re-referred to Senate Committee on Judiciary and Labor on January 22   
 
Introduced: 01/20/2016
Sponsor: Senator Mike Gabbard    
Issue Brief: Wildlife Violators     
Summary: Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to enter into the interstate wildlife violator compact or similar agreement for mutual assistance in the enforcement of wildlife laws.
Status: To Senate Committee on Water, Land and Agriculture on January 22     
 
Introduced: 01/22/2016
Sponsor: Senator Russell Ruderman    
Issue Brief: Dog Tethering; Substandard Kennels
Summary: Establishes a standard of care for dogs including kennel and tether restrictions; imposes civil penalties for violations of the standard of care including seizure of the dog upon the third offense and the addition of the owner's name to a county registry of persons unfit for dog ownership; repeals biennial dog licenses and a county's ability to dispense with license requirements; requires a county to establish an annual license fee of a minimum of $20 per dog and allows for a three year fee waiver.
Status: To Senate Committee on Water, Land and Agriculture on January 25    
 
Introduced: 01/26/2016
Sponsor: House Resources and Conservation Committee
Issue Brief: Hunter Education 
Summary: Amends existing law to clarify that the Fish and Game Commission shall prescribe and administer education programs in trapping.
Status: To House Committee on Resources and Conservation on January 27     
 
Introduced: 01/26/2016
Sponsor: Senate Resources and Environment Committee
Issue Brief: General  
Summary: Amends existing law to prohibit the use of unmanned aircraft systems for hunting, molesting or locating game animals, game birds and furbearing animals.
Status: To Senate Committee on Resources and Environment on January 27      
 
Introduced: 01/25/2016
Sponsor: Representative Wayne Krieger, Member, Oregon Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus 
Issue Brief: Enforcement; Wildlife Violators
Summary: Increases damages for unlawful taking or killing of wildlife; punishes certain violations of wildlife laws with mandatory revocation of licenses, permits and tags; requires civil forfeiture of certain devices upon third conviction within 10-year period for violation of provision of wildlife laws or rule adopted pursuant to wildlife laws; expands provisions relating to parts unlawful to be removed from wildlife.
Status: Assigned House Bill No. 4046 on January 26       
 
Introduced: 01/08/2016
Sponsor: House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee
Issue Brief: General 
Summary: Ratifies decision of State Fish and Wildlife Commission to remove Canis lupus from state list of endangered species; prohibits commission from including Canis lupus on lists of threatened species or endangered species unless certain criteria met.
Status: Assigned House Bill No. 4040 on January 26       
 
Introduced: 01/22/2016
Sponsor: Representative David Taylor
Issue Brief: Access Private Lands
Summary: Prohibits the Department of Fish and Wildlife from requiring public access as a condition of owners receiving compensation for wildlife interactions under chapter 77.36 RCW.
Status: To House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on January 25         
 
Introduced: 01/13/2016
Sponsor: Senator Dean Takko, Co-Chair, Washington Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General License  
Summary: State migratory bird permit fee is increased from $15 to $25. A migratory bird account is created for revenue collected from the migratory bird permit.
Status: Hearing held in Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Parks on January 27          
 
Introduced: 01/11/2016
Sponsor: Senator Bruce Dammeier
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Concerns the transfer of firearms at nonprofit fund-raising activities; provides exemption from background check requirement for temporary transfer of a firearm for the purpose of conducting nonprofit fundraising activities. 
Status: Executive Session scheduled in Senate Law and Justice at 1:30 pm on February 1 

Introduced: 01/27/2016
Sponsor: Senate Select Committee on Natural Resource Funding
Issue Brief: Conservation Funding
Summary: Relates to the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Funding Act; provides for funding of large projects under that act; specifies large projects approved for funding in 2016; requires specified conservation easements to include the state of Wyoming as a third party beneficiary as specified; requires certifications regarding kickbacks and gifts; provides appropriations; provides for reversion of funds; provides for an effective date.
Status: Pre-filed on January 27 
        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, angling, recreational shooting, 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: 
 
Midwestern States Director Chris Horton, at 501.865.1475, or email chris@sportsmenslink.org

Northeastern States Director Brent Miller, at 202.543.6850 x 13, or email brent@sportsmenslink.org

Southeastern States Manager Bee Frederick, at 334.593.6988, or email bee@sportsmenslink.org

Western States Director Andy Treharne, at 303.789.7589, or email andy@sportsmenslink.org


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