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 

February 15, 2016
NORTHEASTERN STATES
 

Introduced: 01/29/2016
Sponsor: Delegate Anthony O'Donnell, Member, Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus 
Issue Brief: Enforcement     
Summary: Requires a person convicted of poaching deer on privately owned land to pay the State restitution in accordance with specified requirements; authorizes a person convicted of poaching deer on privately owned land to pay a specified amount of restitution instead of performing community service under specified circumstances; requires specified restitution collected to be credited to the State Wildlife Management and Protection Fund; requires the Department of Natural Resources to adopt specified regulations.
Status: Passed in Committee Unanimously on February 17  

Introduced: 02/12/2016
Sponsor: Delegate Anthony O'Donnell, Member, Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Apprentice Hunting License  
Summary: Establishes an apprentice hunting license that confers specified rights on a purchaser of the license; authorizes a person to obtain a license without having first been issued a certificate of competency in firearms and hunter safety; authorizes specified persons to hunt under a license only if accompanied and directly supervised by specified other persons; prohibits the renewal of a license; establishes specified fees for resident and nonresident apprentice hunting licenses.
Status: In House Committee on Environment and Transportation on March 9

Introduced: 02/12/2016
Sponsor: Delegate Ned Carey, Co-Chair, Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary: Authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to issue a complimentary angler's license, Chesapeake Bay and coastal sport fishing license, or hunting license and any associated State-issued stamps or permits to a person who is a member of the armed services or a veteran and has a service-connected disability.
Status: In House Committee on Environment and Transportation on March 9

Introduced: 02/12/2016
Sponsor: Delegate Kevin Hornberger, Member, Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Requires the Department of Natural Resources to study the biological carrying capacity and cultural carrying capacity of elk in Cecil County; requires the Department to report specified findings and recommendations, on or before October 1, 2017, to the Governor and General Assembly in accordance with specified requirements.
Status: In House Committee on Environment and Transportation on March 9

Introduced: 02/12/2016
Sponsor: Senator Ronald Young
Issue Brief: Ivory Ban
Summary: Prohibits a person from purchasing, selling, offering for sale, or possessing with the intent to sell specified parts or products of specified animal species under specified circumstances, subject to specified exceptions; establishes specified penalties for a violation of the Act; requires that fines and restitution imposed under the Act be credited to the Department of Natural Resources for the benefit of the Birdwatcher's Fund to be used for the preservation of nongame wildlife species and threatened/.
Status: To Senate Committee on February 12 

Introduced: 04/15/2015
Sponsor: Senator Michael Moore, Member, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Technology and the Fair Chase Ethic
Summary: Relates to hunting with Unmanned Aerial Systems.
Status: From Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture: Ought to pass on February 16 

Introduced: 11/24/2015
Sponsor: Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture
Issue Brief: Enforcement; Interstate Wildlife Violators Compact   
Summary: Enhances the enforcement of illegal hunting practices.
Status: To House Committee on Ways and Means on February 16
 
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: To Senate Committee on Judiciary on February 11  
 
Introduced: 01/06/2015
Sponsor: Representative Robert Cushing
Issue Brief: General; License (General)
Summary: Allows the fish and game department to have a second day each year, in the winter, on which fishing is permitted without a license; 16-2063 10/03.
Status: Executive Session held on January 28
 
Introduced: 01/06/2016
Sponsor: Representative David Kidder, Member, New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus  
Issue Brief: License (General) 
Summary: Allows the fish and game department to establish 2 days per year for fishing without a license but requires persons in fishing tournaments to have a license on those days; 16-2295 10/01.
Status: Executive Session held on January 28     
 
Introduced: 01/06/2016
Sponsor: Representative Gene Chandler, Co-Chair, New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Off Highway Vehicles (OHV)
Summary: Relates to damage to private property; creates a cause of action for a landowner whose land is damaged by pollution, or off highway recreation vehicle or snowmobile use.
Status: To House Committee on Judiciary on February 11 
 
Introduced: 01/06/2016
Sponsor: Representative James Spillane
Issue Brief: Crossbows  
Summary: Allows a person who has purchased a muzzleloader license to hunt deer with a crossbow; 16-2018 04/10.
Status: Subcommittee work session held on February 18
 
Introduced: 01/06/2016
Sponsor: Senator David Watters, Member, New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus   
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Establishes the coastal marine natural resources and environment commission to investigate, monitor, and propose prevention and mitigation strategies for emerging environmental threats in coastal and Great Bay waters, including the warming of waters, ocean acidification, and nutrient loading, which impact fish, shellfish, and the food chain thereof.
Status: To House Committee on Resources, Recreation and Development on February 11  
 
Introduced: 01/06/2016
Sponsor: Senator David Watters, Member, New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus   
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Requires the fish and game department to identify existing and needed wildlife corridors connecting wildlife habitats in the state and to make recommendations to the legislature for changes to Laws; 16-2810 10/05.
Status: To Senate Committee on Finance on February 11
 
Introduced: 04/15/2015
Sponsor: Senator Rich Funke, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus   
Issue Brief: Outdoor Sporting Tax Holiday   
Summary: Amends the Tax Law; enacts the New York State Sportsmen's Weekend Act; creates a limited exemption of the sale of certain firearms, ammunition, archery equipment and hunting supplies from state sales and compensating use taxes; grants municipalities the option to grant such limited exemption.
Status: Amended in Senate Committee on Investigations and Government Operations on February 11   
 
Introduced: 02/10/2016
Sponsor: Representative Grace Diaz   
Issue Brief: Guns (General)   
Summary: Criminalizes the mere possession of a firearm by a minor, but would provide for limited exceptions while the minor is in the presence of a qualified adult or participating in certain competitive or ceremonial events.
Status: To House Committee on Judiciary on February 10    
 
Introduced: 02/10/2016
Sponsor: Representative Stephen Ucci     
Issue Brief: Concealed Carry Reciprocity
Summary: Allows individuals with concealed carry permits issued by Massachusetts, Connecticut and any other state with a live fire requirement to carry concealed firearms within this state.
Status: To House Committee on Judiciary on February 10    
 
Introduced: 02/12/2016
Sponsor: Representative Cale Keable
Issue Brief: General 
Summary: Relates to property; relates to trespassing and actions for possession; prohibits encroachment of open space land and allows for a civil action in superior court to remedy any encroachment.
Status: To House Committee on Judiciary on February 12
 
Introduced: 01/05/2016
Sponsor: Representative John Bartholomew
Issue Brief: Tethering of Dogs  
Summary: Relates to adequate shelter of dogs and cats.
Status: To Senate Committee on Judiciary on February 12


SOUTHEASTERN STATES


Introduced: 02/09/2016
Sponsor: Representative Tommy Hanes
Issue Brief: College Student Hunting/Angling Licenses
Summary: Relates to hunting and fishing; authorizes a nonresident student at an institution of higher education in this state to purchase resident hunting or fishing licenses under certain conditions.
Status: From House Committee on Agriculture and Forestry (Reported Favorably) on February 17

Introduced: 02/09/2016
Sponsor: Representative Reed Ingram  
Issue Brief: General 
Summary: Prohibits the nighttime hunting of protected birds and animals unless authorized by rule of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; defines nighttime hours.
Status: From House Committee on Agriculture and Forestry (Reported Favorably) on February 17

Introduced: 02/11/2016
Sponsor: Representative Kyle South    
Issue Brief: Range Protection
Summary: Relates to liability for the operation or use of sport shooting ranges; extends immunity for civil and criminal claims relating to violations of noise and lead laws and regulations to ranges in compliance with any noise control or lead control laws applying to the range on June 1, 2016, or at the time the range came into existence, whichever occurs first.
Status: To House Committee on Judiciary on February 11

Introduced: 02/16/2016
Sponsor: Representative Robert Benvenuti
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary: Requires the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources to offer hunting and fishing licenses to active duty members of the United States Armed Forces at the same cost charged to Kentucky residents.
Status: To House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment on February 17 

Introduced: 02/09/2016
Sponsor: Representative Jim Barnett, Member, Mississippi Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus 
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Authorizes the Mississippi department of wildlife, fisheries and parks to shorten or close any open season when any game or fur-bearing animals are forced out of their natural habitat; provides a penalty for violating the shortening or closure of an open season.
Status: Passed House. To Senate on February 15

Introduced: 02/10/2016
Sponsor: Representative Herb Frierson, Member, National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses (NASC) Executive Council
Issue Brief: Knife Preemption
Summary: Provides that no county, municipality or political subdivision thereof shall adopt any ordinance, rule or regulation restricting the possession, sale, purchase, transfer, licensing, manufacture, ownership or use of a knife, knife making components or knives in a manner more restrictive than provided by law. 
Status: To House Committee on Judiciary B on February 10 

Introduced: 02/11/2016
Sponsor: Representative Scott DeLano, Member, Mississippi Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus 
Issue Brief: General 
Summary: Creates a special fund in the State Treasury to be designated as the Gulf Coast Restoration Fund; provides that monies in the special fund shall be used by the Department of Marine Resources based upon the recommendation of the Board of trustees of the Gulf Coast Restoration Fund to provide assistance to entities for the purpose of promoting ecological habitat, promoting economic development and overall community benefit.
Status: To House Committee on Ways and Means on February 11

Introduced: 02/12/2016
Sponsor: Representative Bo Eaton   
Issue Brief: Licensing 
Summary: Creates an additional category of resident lifetime sportsman license; provides that this section shall stand repealed on July 1, 2018.
Status: To House Committee on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks on February 12 

Introduced: 02/12/2016
Sponsor: Representative Joseph Seymour, Member, Mississippi Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus  
Issue Brief: General 
Summary: Clarifies the prohibition against hunting on any street, public road, public highway, levee, or railroad.
Status: From Senate Committee on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (Do pass) on February 17  

Introduced: 02/11/2016
Sponsor: Representative Bill Hixon, Member, South Carolina Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus  
Issue Brief: White-tailed Deer Management: Hunting as a preferred Management Tool; General
Summary: Relates to the issuance of annual individual anterless deer tags; revises the procedure whereby the Department of Natural Resources issues and charges a person for the privilege of hunting and taking deer in this state; relates to the collection and disposition of revenues generated from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, permits, and tags; substitutes the term antlerless deer quota permit for the term deer quota program permit.
Status: To House Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Resources on February 11   

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 Finance, Ways and Means (Referred to Subcommittee on Finance, Ways and Means) on February 17
 
Introduced: 01/09/2016
Sponsor: Delegate Steve Landes        
Issue Brief: Enforcement; General
Summary: Relates to warrantless arrest; relates to conservation police officers and conservation officers; allows a conservation police officer of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and a conservation officer of the Department of Conservation and Recreation to make warrantless arrests for misdemeanors not committed in the officer's presence involving hunting, trapping, inland fish, and boating laws when such arrest is based on probable cause upon personal investigation.
Status: From House Committee on Courts of Justice: Reported with substitute on February 12
 
Introduced: 01/13/2016
Sponsor: Delegate L. Scott Lingamfelter, Co-Chair, Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Guns
Summary: Relates to sale of firearms; relates to persons not lawfully present in United States; relates to penalty; provides that the crime of selling, bartering, giving, or furnishing or possessing with the intent to sell, barter, give, or furnish a firearm to a person knowing that such person is prohibited from possessing or transporting a firearm because he is not lawfully present in the United States applies to assault firearms.
Status: Passed House. To Senate on February 12  
 
Introduced: 01/13/2016
Sponsor: Delegate Michael Webert, Member, Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
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 Senate Committee on Courts and Justice on February 12
 
Introduced: 01/13/2016
Sponsor: Delegate Kaye Kory  
Issue Brief: Exotic Invasive Species
Summary: Relates to zebra mussels; relates to education program; requires the Director of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to establish a program of education in methods of preventing zebra mussels or other nonindigenous aquatic nuisance species from infesting Virginia waters; provides that the bill requires the program to include cleaning and draining guidelines, designated dry times, a standard boat inspection form, and public outreach.
Status: Engrossed by House as amended on February 12
 
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 Committee on Finance on February 15: Continued to 2017
 
Introduced: 01/21/2016
Sponsor: Delegate Matt Fariss  
Issue Brief: Enforcement; Hunting with 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: Engrossed by House on February 12
 
Introduced: 01/22/2016
Sponsor: Delegate Michael Webert  
Issue Brief: Conservation Tax Incentive   
Summary: Relates to land preservation tax credit; relates to application for credits prior to any donation; provides that beginning January 1, 2017, a donor will be given the option to apply to the Department of Taxation for land preservation tax credits prior to making any donation of land.
Status: In House Committee on Finance: Left in Committee on February 17  

Introduced: 01/13/2016
Sponsor: Senator Thomas Garrett, Member, Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus   
Issue Brief: Guns
Summary: Relates to concealed handgun permits; relates to reciprocity; requires the General Assembly to determine whether States meet the statutory qualifications for Virginia to recognize the concealed handgun permit of a person from another state; provides that under current law, this function is performed by the Superintendent of State Police in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General.
Status: Passed Senate. To House on February 15 
 
Introduced: 01/13/2016
Sponsor: Senator Lynwood Lewis, Member, Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus   
Issue Brief: Sunday Hunting
Summary: Relates to Sunday hunting; relates to rails; exempts any person who hunts rallidae, the family of birds that includes rails and other wetland birds, from the prohibition on hunting on Sunday; provides that the exemption is subject to geographical limitations established by the Director of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and is not allowed within 200 yards of a place of worship or any accessory structure thereof.
Status: Passed House on February 12   

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: From House Agriculture, Chesapeake & Natural Resources (Reported Favorably) on February 17
 
Introduced: 01/13/2016
Sponsor: Delegate Ryan McDougle       
Issue Brief: State Management Authority
Summary: Relates to the hunting of coyotes; relates to county or city ordinances; adds the hunting of coyotes to the list of firearm-hunting topics about which a county or city is authorized to adopt ordinances; provides that current law allows the governing body of a county or city to adopt ordinances prohibiting hunting with certain types of shotguns, permitting groundhog hunting under certain conditions, permitting hunting with muzzleloaders, and specifying permissible ammunition types.
Status: From House Agriculture, Chesapeake & Natural Resources (Reported Favorably) on February 17 

Introduced: 01/13/2016
Sponsor: Representative Emmett Hanger
Issue Brief: Freshwater Angling Access
Summary: Provides mass revisions to the State Water Control Law, Erosion and Sediment Control Law, and the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act.
Status: From House Agriculture, Chesapeake & Natural Resources (Reported Favorably) on February 17 

Introduced: 02/16/2016
Sponsor: Delegate Chris Stansbury, Co-Chair, West Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus 
Issue Brief: American System of Conservation Funding; General  
Summary: Enhances hunting, fishing, recreational shooting and other outdoor recreational opportunities; strengthens conservation efforts nationwide.
Status: To House Committee on Rules on February 16
 
Introduced: 02/16/2016
Sponsor: Delegate Randy Smith  
Issue Brief: General 
Summary: Relates to penalty for illegally taking native brook trout.
Status: To House Committee on Judiciary on February 17  
 
Introduced: 02/16/2016
Sponsor: Delegate Rupert Phillips, Co-Chair, West Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus  
Issue Brief: Knife Preemption    
Summary: Limits the authority of municipalities to regulate the purchasing, possessing, transferring, owning, carrying, transporting, selling and storing of knives.
Status: To House Committee on Political Subdivisions on February 16 


MIDWESTERN STATES


Introduced: 02/11/2016
Sponsor: Representative Charlie Meier, Member, Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus    
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code; provides that the limits on the number and size of fish a person may take in a day do not apply to a person fishing in waters wholly within his or her private property.
Status: To House Committee on Rules on February 11

Introduced: 02/11/2016
Sponsor: Representative Carol Sente   
Issue Brief: Wolf in Sheeps Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups
Summary: Amends the Counties Code and the Wildlife Code; provides that in the counties of Cook, Lake, Will, and DuPage, it is unlawful for any person to discharge any firearm for the purpose of taking any of the species protected by the Wildlife Code, or hunt with gun or dog, or intentionally or wantonly allow a dog to hunt, within 1,000 yards of an inhabited dwelling without first obtaining permission from the owner or tenant.
Status: To House Committee on Rules on February 11

Introduced: 02/11/2016
Sponsor: Representative Brandon Phelps, Co-Chair, Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus; Vice-President, National Assembly of State Caucuses (NASC) Executive Council 
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Amends the Wildlife Code; provides that rifles with cartridges that fire a bullet of .357-inch diameter or larger, have a minimum case length of 1.16 inches, and have a maximum case length of 1.8 inches may be used to take deer.
Status: To House Committee on Rules on February 11

Introduced: 02/03/2016
Sponsor: Senator Neil Anderson
Issue Brief: Hunter Recruitment, Retention, Reactivation
Summary: Amends the Wildlife Code; provides that a resident youth 18 and under may apply to the Department of Natural Resources for a Youth Trapping License, which extends limited trapping privileges; provides that the Youth Trapping License shall be renewable and expire on the March 31 following the date of issuance; provides that possession of a Youth Trapping License shall serve in lieu of a valid trapping license, but does not exempt the licensee from compliance with the requirements of the Code.
Status: To Senate Committee on Agriculture on February 16 
  
Introduced: 01/15/2016
Sponsor: Representative Matt Windschitl   
Issue Brief: Firearm Suppressors
Summary: Relates to possessing and transferring firearm suppressors; provides penalties; includes effective date provisions.
Status: In House. Became House File 2279 on February 15
 
Introduced: 02/04/2016
Sponsor: Representative Quentin Stanerson      
Issue Brief: Hunter Education
Summary: Waives certain hunter education requirements for residents who are active duty military personnel or honorably discharged veterans.
Status: From House Committee on Veterans Affairs (Do pass) on February 17
 
Introduced: 02/09/2016
Sponsor: Senator Dick Dearden, Co-Chair, Iowa Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus       
Issue Brief: Right to Hunt and Fish  
Summary: Proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa providing that the people of the state have a right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife.
Status: In Senate. Becomes Senate Joint Resolution 2004 on February 17
 
Introduced: 01/06/2016
Sponsor: Representative Linda Black, Co-Chair, Missouri Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus    
Issue Brief: Enforcement
Summary: Imposes civil penalties for poaching certain animals.
Status: Public hearing completed on February 16
 
Introduced: 01/06/2016
Sponsor: Senator Brian Munzlinger     
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Proposed an amendment to the Constitution to increase the membership of the Conservation Commission, and to limit the time a member of the Commission may serve on the Commission.
Status: Passed Senate (22-10). To House on February 4  
 
Introduced: 02/02/2016
Sponsor: Representative Steven McCleerey
Issue Brief: Public Access to Private Lands
Summary: Limits the terms of certain conservation easements.
Status: Failed to pass House on February 17  
 
Introduced: 02/11/2016
Sponsor: Representative Spencer Hawley, Co-Chair, South Dakota Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus     
Issue Brief: General  
Summary: Recognizes the positive economic impact sportsmen and women have in South Dakota.
Status: Passed House. To Senate on February 16     
 
Introduced: 10/30/2015
Sponsor: Representative Ken Skowronski, Member, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus     
Issue Brief: Enforcement     
Summary: Relates to wild animal protection surcharges for game fish and a higher wild animal protection surcharge for certain animals of a larger size.
Status: To Senate Committee on Sporting Heritage, Mining and Forestry on February 12     
 
Introduced: 11/18/2015
Sponsor: Representative Joel Kleefisch, Co-Chair, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General 
Summary: Authorizes a person to shoot to kill an animal wounded by another person while hunting; provides for youth hunting.
Status: In Senate. Read third time. Passed Senate on February 16   
 
Introduced: 11/24/2015
Sponsor: Representative Katrina Shankland
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary: Requires the Department of Natural Resources to establish a special wild turkey hunting program for certain disabled veterans.
Status: In Assembly. Amendment No. 1 offered on February 12   
 
Introduced: 01/13/2015
Sponsor: Representative Alvin Ott, Member, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General 
Summary: Relates to the date on which the annual open season for hunting and trapping wolves begins.
Status: In Senate. Read third time. Passed Senate on February 16   
 
Introduced: 01/22/2016
Sponsor: Senator Tom Tiffany, Member, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus    
Issue Brief: Wolf in Sheep's Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups
Summary: Relates to shining wild animals.
Status: To Assembly Committee on Rules. Made a Special Order of Business on February 16     
 
Introduced: 02/11/2016
Sponsor: Senator Fred Risser
Issue Brief: Enforcement; Ivory Ban
Summary: Relates to the sale and purchase of products containing ivory or rhinoceros horn and providing a criminal penalty.
Status: To Senate Committee on Judiciary on Public Safety on February 11  


WESTERN STATES 


Introduced: 01/14/2016
Sponsor: Representative Frank Pratt, Member, Arizona Legislators for Wildlife        
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary: Relates to Game and Fish Department; relates to military spouses; relates to resident licenses.
Status: Placed on House Consent Calendar on February 15
 
Introduced: 01/21/2016
Sponsor: Senator Gail Griffin, Member, Arizona Legislators for Wildlife
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to Mexican wolf; relates to Game and Fish (G&F) approval; relates to reporting.
Status: Withdrawn from Senate Consent Calendar on February 15 
 
Introduced: 01/26/2016
Sponsor: Representative Cindy Evans   
Issue Brief: Range Protection
Summary: Appropriates funds for public outreach, planning, and an environmental impact statement for a Hawaii island public shooting facility.
Status: In House Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection: Voted do pass with amendment. In House Committee on Water and Land: Voted do pass with amendment on February 16 
 
Introduced: 02/12/2016
Sponsor: House Resources and Conservation Committee
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Amends existing law to prohibit Fish and Game Commission members and Fish and Game employees from participating in any drawings for controlled hunt permits and from participating in any controlled hunts.
Status: To House Committee on Resources and Conservation on February 15 
 
Introduced: 02/12/2016
Sponsor: House Resources and Conservation Committee
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Amends existing law to prohibit Fish and Game Commission members from participating in any drawings for controlled hunt permits and from participating in any controlled hunts.
Status: To House Committee on Resources and Conservation on February 15 
 
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: Passed House (68-1) on February 15  
 
Introduced: 02/11/2016
Sponsor: Senate Resources and Environment Committee
Issue Brief: Exotic Invasive Species
Summary: States findings of the Legislature; requests that Congress ensure the continued appropriation of funds in the fiscal year 2017 budget to significantly enhance aquatic invasive species prevention efforts; implements the intent of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act.
Status: Adopted in Senate by voice vote. To House on February 17
 
Introduced: 02/03/2016
Sponsor: Representative Carlos Cisneros
Issue Brief: Public Access to Private Lands    
Summary: Relates to taxation; exempts from the gross receipts tax the sale of access to private land for hunting or fishing purposes.
Status: From Senate Committee on Corporations and Transportation (Do pass) on February 13
 
Oregon H 4040
Introduced: 02/01/2016
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; declares emergency, effective on passage.
Status: Scheduled for possible hearing and work session in Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee on February 18
 
Introduced: 02/01/2016
Sponsor: Representative Wayne Krieger, Member, Oregon Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Enforcement
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: Amended bill passed committee with Do Pass recommendation on February 17 
 
Introduced: 02/04/2016
Sponsor: Senator Arnie Roblan, Member, Oregon Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Exotic Invasive Species
Summary: Urges Congress to ensure continued appropriation of funds to enhance aquatic invasive species prevention efforts and to implement Water Resources Reform and Development Act.
Status: Passed Senate (25-0). To House on February 16   
 
Introduced: 01/16/2016
Sponsor: Representative Brian Blake
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary: Concerns license fees for National Guard members under Title 77 RCW.
Status: Scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Parks at 1:30 PM in anticipation of other legislative action on February 24 
 
Introduced: 01/23/2016
Sponsor: Representative Brian Dansel
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Provides the fish and wildlife commission with the tools necessary to enact changes to the status of a species.
Status: To House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on February 16 
 
Introduced: 01/11/2016
Sponsor: Senator Mike Hewitt 
Issue Brief: American System of Conservation Funding
Summary: Provides funding for steelhead conservation through the issuance of Washington's fish license plate collection.
Status: Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Transportation at 3:30 PM on February 22  
 
Introduced: 02/09/2016
Sponsor: Representative Andy Schwartz
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to game and fish; provides for the protection of big game animals from harassment and disturbance as specified; authorizes rulemaking; specifies applicability; provides definitions; provides for an effective date.
Status: Failed introduction on February 11

Introduced: 02/09/2016
Sponsor: Representative Ken Esquibel
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to game and fish; establishes residency requirements related to vehicle registration laws for resident hunting and fishing licenses as specified; establishes a violation of residency requirements and vehicle registration Laws as specified; provides for penalties; provides for an effective date.
Status: Failed Introduction on February 11  

Introduced: 02/10/2016
Sponsor: Representative Bunky Loucks
Issue Brief: License (General)  
Summary: Relates to game and fish; amends resident allocation of mountain goat and grizzly bear licenses as specified; establishes resident allocation of wild bison licenses as specified; specifies fees; provides for an effective date.
Status: Introduced on February 10

Introduced: 02/10/2016
Sponsor: Representative Jim Allen
Issue Brief: License (General)
Summary: Relates to game and fish; provides for deer and mountain lion combination hunting licenses as specified; specifies fees; makes conforming amendments; provides for an effective date.
Status: Introduced on February 10 

Introduced: 02/08/2016
Sponsor: Representative Albert Sommers
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Requests Congress to enact legislation to remove the gray wolf and grizzly bear populations from listing under the endangered species act and to assist in funding programs and services for gray wolf and grizzly bear management.
Status: Committee amendment adopted on House Floor on February 16

Introduced: 02/09/2016
Sponsor: Senator Paul Barnard
Issue Brief: American System of Conservation of Funding; License (General) 
Summary: Relates to game and fish; authorizes the game and fish commission to issue combination elk, deer and antelope licenses as specified; specifies fees; provides for an effective date.
Status: To Senate Committee on Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources on February 11

Introduced: 02/10/2016
Sponsor: Senator Stan Cooper
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary: Relates to game and fish licenses; authorizes Purple Heart medal recipients to receive lifetime bird, small game and fishing licenses without charge as specified; provides for an effective date. 
Status: Introduced on February 10    
        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 [email protected]
Northeastern States Director Brent Miller, at 202.543.6850 x 13, or email [email protected]
Southeastern States Manager Bee Frederick, at 334.593.6988, or email [email protected]
Western States Director Andy Treharne, at 303.789.7589, or email [email protected]


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