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 

March 28, 2016
NORTHEASTERN STATES 


Introduced: 03/03/2016
Sponsor: Joint Committee on Environment
Issue Brief: Ivory Ban   
Summary: Prohibits the sale and trade of ivory and rhinoceros horn in the state.
Status: Referred to Office of Legislative Research and Office and Fiscal Analysis on March 28  
 
Introduced: 02/18/2016
Sponsor: Joint Committee on Environment
Issue Brief: Interstate Wildlife Violators Compact
Summary: Concerns the suspension of a hunting or fishing license for failure to appear, pay or plea in a hunting or fishing violation case.
Status: To Joint Committee on Government Administration and Elections on March 29
 
Introduced: 02/18/2016
Sponsor: Joint Committee on Environment
Issue Brief: General; American System of Conservation Funding
Summary: Concerns the authority of the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection; establishes a trout stamp.
Status: Referred to Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis on March 24  
 
Introduced: 02/24/2016
Sponsor: Joint Committee on Environment
Issue Brief: Trophy Importation Ban 
Summary: To prohibit the import, sale and trade of big-game hunting trophies from overseas. 
Status: Referred to Office of Legislative Research and Office and Fiscal Analysis on March 28  

Introduced: 03/24/2016
Sponsor: Representative Patricia Blevins
Issue Brie8214f: Hunting with Dogs
Summary: Reassigns the responsibility of dog control and dangerous dog management from the counties of this state to the Delaware Division of Public Health Office of Animal Welfare, and updates procedures for handling dangerous and potentially dangerous dog hearings for a more fair and equitable process. The bill also reassigns the responsibility for stray livestock response from the Delaware SPCA to the Delaware Department of Agriculture, with support from animal welfare officers.
Status: Introduced. To Senate Committee on Health and Social Services on March 24   
 
Introduced: 02/27/2015
Sponsor: Representative Robert Duchesne, Member, Maine Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Wildlife Council for Public Education
Summary: This bill directs the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to establish a comprehensive marketing program for the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife that is led and coordinated by a dedicated marketing specialist, whose position is required to be created within the department's Division of Public Information and Education.
Status: Placed on Special Appropriations Table on March 29  
 
Introduced: 01/06/2016
Sponsor: Representative Patrick Corey, Member, Maine Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Range Protection
Summary: This bill provides that a statute, rule, ordinance or other provision of law enacted or adopted after the establishment of a sport shooting range that if applied to that sport shooting range would cause the closure of that sport shooting range or substantially limit sport shooting at that sport shooting range does not apply to that sport shooting range and that sport shooting range is immune from suit, including but not limited to private and public civil actions, nuisance actions and actions for in
Status: In Senate. Committee Amendment A adopted on March 30       
 
Introduced: 02/17/2016
Sponsor: Representative Robert Duchesne, Member, Maine Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Hunting as Preferred Management Tool 
Summary: This bill establishes contingent wildlife management provisions that become effective when a ballot measure for a direct initiative of legislation is approved that reduces wildlife management methods available to the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. The provisions of this bill apply only to the animals that are significantly affected either directly or indirectly by the approved ballot measure. The bill does the following. 1. It places a cap on the revenue the Commissioner of Inland Fish
Status: Signed by Governor (Public Law No. 416) on March 29       
 
Introduced: 03/02/2016
Sponsor: Senator Paul Davis, Member, Maine Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus    
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Makes the following changes to the law regarding the incidental take of an endangered or threatened species. 1. It authorizes the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to create a widespread activity incidental take plan when the commissioner determines that the activity is widespread and conducted by a reasonably identifiable group of participants as long as: A. The activity poses a manageable risk of taking an endangered or threatened species; b. Any taking would be incidental to an otherwise.
Status: Eligible for Governor's desk on March 29
 
Introduced: 02/08/2016
Sponsor: House Environment and Transportation Committee
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Clarifies the uses of the Fisheries Research and Development Fund; alters the standards, procedures, and requirements governing scientific collection permits for fisheries; clarifies the minimum publication frequency of specified public notices for specified regulations; authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to issue specified annual complimentary fishing licenses to specified individuals; establishes specified maximums for the number of specified outstanding complimentary fishing licenses.
Status: Passed Senate. Eligible for Governor's Desk on March 30
 
Introduced: 02/08/2016
Sponsor: Representative Barbara Frush
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Requires the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science to conduct a specified study related to the public oyster fishery; requires the Center to report to the Governor, the Department of Natural Resources, the Oyster Advisory Commission, and the General Assembly on or before October 1, 2017; prohibits the Department from taking specified actions until after the Center has made its report.
Status: Hearing scheduled for 1:00 PM on April 5  
 
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 Senate Committee on Judiciary on March 24
 
Introduced: 01/06/2016
Sponsor: Senator David Watters, Member, New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus   
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to wildlife corridors; requires the fish and game department to identify existing and needed wildlife corridors connecting wildlife habitats in the State; makes recommendations to the legislature for changes to laws.
Status: To House Committee on Fish and Game and Marine Resources on March 24
 
Introduced: 01/21/2016
Sponsor: Senator Gary Daniels   
Issue Brief: Off Highway Vehicles (OHV)
Summary: Establishes an OHRV registration fee for persons who are members of OHRV which is reduced $30 from the increased fee paid by other registrants; specifies that the fee provisions take effect upon certification by the executive director of fish and game of the implementation of certain requirements; increases registration fees, upon certification of the executive director of the Fish and Game Department, for off-highway recreational vehicles by $30 for certain individuals.
Status: Public Hearing scheduled for April 5
 
Introduced: 06/11/2015
Sponsor: Assembly Member David Weprin  
Issue Brief: Knife Definitions 
Summary: Amends the Penal Law; includes machetes within the definition of a deadly weapon.
Status: Amended in Assembly Committee on Codes on March 29 

Introduced: 01/26/2015
Sponsor: Senator Liz Krueger   
Issue Brief: Guns 
Summary: Enacts the "children's weapon accident prevention act"; creates crimes of failure to store a weapon safely in the first and second degrees, aggravated failure to store a weapon, and criminally negligent storage of a weapon in the first and second degrees; provides affirmative defenses; directs the commissioner of education to develop a weapons safety program.
Status: In Senate Committee on Codes: Defeated on March 28 
 
Introduced: 02/03/2015
Sponsor: Senator Tony Avella
Issue Brief: Knife Definition 
Summary: Amends the Penal Law; includes machetes within the definition of a deadly weapon.
Status: Amended on Senate floor on March 29
 
Introduced: 03/23/2016
Sponsor: Senator Michael Ranzenhofer
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary: Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; decreases fees for hunting, fishing and bowhunting for non-resident disabled veterans.
Status: To Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation on March 23
 
Introduced: 02/04/2016
Sponsor: Representative Arthur Corvese    
Issue Brief: Crossbows  
Summary: Would legalize the taking of wild migratory birds by crossbow. This act would take effect upon passage.
Status: Transferred to House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources on March 24
 
Introduced: 03/23/2016
Sponsor: Senator Joshua Miller     
Issue Brief: Ivory Ban
Summary: Would prohibit any person from importing, selling, offering for sale, purchasing, bartering, or possessing with intent to sell, any ivory, ivory product, rhinoceros horn, or rhinoceros horn product, with limited exceptions. Monetary fines have been established to be paid by violators. This act would take effect on January 1, 2017.
Status: Introduced. To Senate Committee on Environment and Agriculture on March 23
 
Introduced: 03/23/2016
Sponsor: Senator Cynthia Armour Coyne      
Issue Brief: License (General)
Summary: Facilitates the issuance of hunting licenses by Internet application; takes effect upon passage.
Status: Introduced. To Senate Committee on Environment and Agriculture on March 23
 
Introduced: 03/23/2016
Sponsor: Senator Gayle Goldin       
Issue Brief: Standard Capacity Magazines 
Summary: Criminalizes the manufacture, import, possession, purchase, sale or transfer of any ammunition feeding device capable of accepting more than ten rounds known as high capacity magazines.
Status: Introduced. To Senate Committee on Judiciary on March 23 
 
Introduced: 01/12/2016
Sponsor: Representative Amy Sheldon       
Issue Brief: General  
Summary: Relates to threatened and endangered species.
Status: To Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy on March 24    


SOUTHEASTERN STATES


Introduced: 03/23/2016
Sponsor: Representative Chris Sells    
Issue Brief: General 
Summary: Relates to unmanned aircraft systems; prohibits the use of an unmanned aircraft system to fly over certain designated facilities; prohibits the use of an unmanned aircraft system to harass a person hunting or fishing or to aid in hunting or fishing; provides criminal penalties; authorizes injunctive relief under certain conditions for violations; provides for an award of damages for violations; prohibits governmental agencies from using unmanned aircraft systems to gather evidence or other information.
Status: Introduced. To House Committee on Technology and Research on March 23  

Introduced: 01/12/2016
Sponsor: Representative Matt Caldwell, Member, Florida Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus 
Issue Brief: Fresh Water Angling Access; Enforcement
Summary: Relates to anchoring limitation areas; prohibits overnight anchoring of vessels in specified anchoring limitation areas; provides for exceptions; provides for applicability; authorizes certain entities to remove and impound vessels or cause vessels to be removed or impounded; provides for indemnification; specifies requirements for contractors; provides for removal and storage fees; provides for issuance of uniform boating citations; provides penalties relating to anchoring vessels.
Status: Signed by Governor (Filed as Chapter No. 2016-96) on March 24    

Florida H 1075
Introduced: 01/12/2016
Sponsor: Representative Matt Caldwell, Member, Florida Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus 
Issue Brief: General 
Summary: Relates to state lands; relates to acquisition and administration, vesting of title, appraisals and costs, appraisal reports, survey standards, property purchases, agency contracts, eminent domain and conservation easements, condemnation authority, alternatives to fee simple acquisition, land leases and fees, land databases, non-conservation land use and management plans, wildlife conservation, sale of surplus lands, affordable housing, riparian owners, and conservation and recreation land use and planning.
Status: To Governor on March 30

Introduced: 03/22/2016
Sponsor: Representative Robert Trammell     
Issue Brief: General; Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary: Relates to hunting licenses, permits, and stamps; converts the one-year honorary veterans license to a free lifetime license; relates to definitions relative to game and fish; corrects a cross-reference; provides for related matters; repeals conflicting laws.
Status: To House Committee on Motor Vehicles on March 24 

Introduced: 02/26/2016
Sponsor: Senator Ellis Black   
Issue Brief: Hunting with Dogs; Substandard Kennels
Summary: Relates to general provisions relative to dogs; provides that any domestic dog that is registered with the American Kennel Club or United Kennel Club as a sporting breed dog, hound breed group dog, or non-sporting breed group dog or that is of a breed used in the lawful pursuit of hunting that is used during an establishes hunting season to aid an individual to pursue or hunt wildlife, and whose owner has a hunting permit shall be classified as a hunting dog and the owner shall receive registration.
Status: In Senate. Senate concurred in House amendments on March 24 

Introduced: 02/18/2016
Sponsor: Representative Wilson Stone
Issue Brief: Wolf in Sheeps Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups
Summary: Makes any person who knowingly owns, possesses, keeps, breeds, trains, sells, or otherwise transfers a dog for the purpose of that dog or its offspring being used to fight for pleasure or profit guilty of cruelty to animals in the first degree, a Class D felony; provides that activities of animals engaged in guarding livestock shall not constitute cruelty to animals in the first degree.
Status: To Governor on March 28  

Introduced: 02/08/2016
Sponsor: Representative Jason White, Member, Mississippi Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Extends the repealer on the provision of law that prohibits the importation and transportation of any live feral hog, wild swine or Russian boar, and provides that such wild hogs may be caught, trapped or transported by permit holders.
Status: House refused to concur in Senate amendments on March 30 

Introduced: 02/10/2016
Sponsor: Representative Scott Bounds, Co-Chair, Mississippi Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: License (General)   
Summary: Revises the fees required for hunting and fishing licenses for related purposes.
Status: Passed Senate. To House for concurrence on March 30 

Introduced: 02/09/2016
Sponsor: Senator Sean Tindell    
Issue Brief: Firearm Suppressors
Summary: Revises the prohibition on silencers on firearms; provides penalties.
Status: Motion to reconsider tabled on March 30 

Introduced: 02/24/2016
Sponsor: Senator Chip Campsen
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to size limits for certain fish that may be lawfully taken, possessed, landed, or purchased; increases the size limit for flounder that may be lawfully taken, possessed, landed, or sold.
Status: To House Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs on March 23

Introduced: 01/27/2016
Sponsor: Representative Jay Reedy, Co-Chair, Tennessee Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus 
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Recognizes Urge Congress to enact legislation for the purpose of enhancing hunting, fishing, recreational shooting, and other outdoor recreational opportunities.
Status: To House Committee on Calendar and Rules on March 23  

Introduced: 01/13/2016
Sponsor: Representative Frank Niceley, Member, Tennessee Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus 
Issue Brief: Exotic Invasive Species 
Summary: Relates to Game and Fish Laws; requires the department of agriculture to issue live wild-appearing swine transport permits; codifies methods by which landowners and their designees may take or trap wild-appearing swine; authorizes landowners to sell live wild-appearing swine.
Status: Re-referred to Senate Committee on Calendar on March 23  

Introduced: 01/19/2016
Sponsor: Senator Mark Green
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. Read second time. Held on desk on March 24

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: Placed on Regular Calendar on March 28

Introduced: 01/13/2016
Sponsor: Delegate Barry Knight, Member, Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus  
Issue Brief: Enforcement
Summary: Relates to damaged duck blinds in Virginia Beach; requires a person who holds a duck blind license for a stationary blind located in the City of Virginia Beach to notify the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries when his blind has been abandoned, is in a state of disrepair, or does not meet the duck blind standards; requires placement of PVC pipe markers and reflective markers on the blind; provides for a civil fine for now placing a reflective marker on the blind.
Status: Signed by Governor (Act of Assembly. Chapter No. 379) on March 11

Introduced: 01/13/2016
Sponsor: Delegate Kaye Kory  
Issue Brief: Exotic Invasive Species
Summary: Relates to zebra mussels; relates to education program; authorizes the establishment of an education program that instructs boaters and other members of the public in methods of preventing or slowing the infestation of the waters of the Commonwealth by zebra mussels, quagga mussels, or other nonindigenous aquatic nuisance species.
Status: Signed by Governor (Acts of Assembly. Chapter No. 541) on March 29

Introduced: 01/13/2016
Sponsor: Delegates Matt Fariss and Kathy Byron
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: Signed by Governor (Acts of Assembly. Chapter No. 487) on March 25 

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: Signed by Governor (Act of Assembly. Chapter No. 374) on March 11

Introduced:  1/20/2016
Sponsor:  Delegate Brian Kurcaba
Issue Brief:  Range Protection  
Summary:  Exempts activity at indoor shooting ranges from the prohibition of shooting or discharging a firearm within a specified distance of any public road, church, school or dwelling house and provides for penalties; amends the definition of shooting range; exempts activity at indoor ranges from criminal penalties for violations; provides for limited nuisance actions for noise under certain circumstances.
Status: Signed by Governor on March 30

Introduced: 01/29/2016
Sponsor: Delegate Scott Cadle     
Issue Brief: General; Exotic Invasive Species 
Summary: Relates to making it unlawful to take, give, or receive, or agree to take, give, or receive a fish, water animal or other aquatic organism from state waters to stock a commercial fishing preserve or other privately owned pond for commercial purposes; provides exceptions for the release of certain species by lawful methods or for noncommercial purposes; provides that a stocking permit is not required under certain circumstances; prohibits stocking permits for certain species and provides for exceptions.
Status: Signed by Governor on March 16

Introduced: 01/13/2016
Sponsor:
 Senator Mark Maynard     
Issue Brief: General; White-tailed Deer Management - Hunting as a preferred Management Tool  
Summary: Authorizing the Division of Natural Resources to promulgate a legislative rule relating to prohibitions when hunting and trapping; authorizing the Division of Natural Resources to promulgate a legislative rule relating to general hunting; authorizing the Division of Natural Resources to promulgate a legislative rule relating to deer hunting; authorizing the Division of Natural Resources to promulgate a legislative rule relating to wild boar hunting; authorizing the Division of Natural Resources to promulgate a legislative rule relating to elk restoration and management; repealing the Division of Natural Resources legislative rule relating to special bear hunting.
Status: Signed by Governor on March 30


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: Public Law No. 110-2016 on March 23
 
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: Signed by Governor (Public Law No. 89-2016) on March 23

Introduced: 03/23/2016
Sponsor: Representative Beth Wessel-Kroeschell       
Issue Brief: American System of Conservation Funding    
Summary: Provides for an increase in the maximum local option sales tax rate to fund local natural resources and outdoor recreation projects.
Status: To House Committee on Ways and Means on March 23
 
Introduced: 02/15/2016
Sponsor: House Judiciary Committee
Issue Brief: Firearm Suppressors    
Summary: Relates to possessing and transferring firearm suppressors; provides penalties; includes effective date provisions.
Status: Signed by Governor on March 31 
 
Introduced: 02/15/2016
Sponsor: House Natural Resources Committee
Issue Brief: License (General)    
Summary: Relates to signatures and other writing on applications for hunting, fishing, and fur harvester licenses.
Status: Signed by Governor on March 30  
 
Introduced: 03/23/2016
Sponsor: House Ways and Means Committee
Issue Brief: Conservation Tax Incentive     
Summary: Establishes an environmental practices tax credit; includes applicability provisions.
Status: To House Committee on Ways and Means on March 23   
 
Introduced: 02/26/2016
Sponsor: Representative Stuart Bishop
Issue Brief: General  
Summary: Recreates the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
Status: Passed House (97-0). To Senate on March 30    
 
Introduced: 02/26/2016
Sponsor: Representative Bodi White  
Issue Brief: General  
Summary: Relates to the requirements of hunters during open gun season; adds "blaze pink" as an alternative to the "hunter orange" requirements; provides for related matters.
Status: Passed House (95-5). To Senate on March 30    
 
Introduced: 03/14/2016
Sponsor: Representative Major Thibaut, Member, Louisiana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus  
Issue Brief: Exotic Invasive Species
Summary: Creates the Feral Hog Management Advisory Task Force. 
Status: To Senate Committee on Natural Resources on March 30  
 
Introduced: 03/10/2016
Sponsor: Representative Tom Hackbarth, Member, Minnesota Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus      
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to game and fish; provides for northern pike management; requires rulemaking; requires a report.
Status: In House. Second Reading on March 24
 
Introduced: 03/14/2016
Sponsor: Representative Tom Hackbarth, Member, Minnesota Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus      
Issue Brief: American System of Conservation Funding
Summary: Relates to natural resources; appropriates money from environment and natural resources trust fund; adds requirements for use of trust fund money.
Status: Re-referred to House Committee on Ways and Means on March 29
 
Introduced: 03/14/2016
Sponsor: Representative Dan Fabian       
Issue Brief: General  
Summary: Relates to game and fish; modifies elk management plan requirements.
Status: In House. Second Reading on March 24
 
Introduced: 03/16/2016
Sponsor: Representative Mark Anderson 
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to game and fish; prohibits commissioner from expanding Muskellunge Waters.
Status: In House. Second Reading on March 24
 
Introduced: 03/14/2016
Sponsor: Representative Tom Hackbarth, Member, Minnesota Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus      
Issue Brief: Lead Ammunition and Fishing Tackle Bans
Summary: Relates to game and fish; prohibits adoption of rules limiting use of lead shot.
Status: In House. Second Reading on March 30 
 
Introduced: 03/17/2016
Sponsor: Representative Jim Newberger 
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to natural resources; requires hearing and local approval prior to clear-cutting certain state land.
Status: Introduced. To House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance on March 17
 
Introduced: 03/21/2016
Sponsor: Representative Tom Hackbarth, Member, Minnesota Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus       
Issue Brief: American System of Conservation Funding
Summary: Relates to game and fish; eliminates the turkey stamp and related revenues.
Status: Re-referred to House Committee on Environmental and Resources Policy and Finance on March 24

Introduced: 03/24/2016
Sponsor: Representative Tom Anzelc 
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary: Relates to military veterans; authorizes angling and hunting licenses to be issued without a fee to certain disabled veterans.
Status: Introduced. To House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Division on March 24
 
Introduced: 03/14/2016
Sponsor: Senator Matt Schmidt, Member, Minnesota Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus   
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to game and fish; provides for northern pike management; requires rulemaking; requires a report.
Status: Re-referred to Senate Committee on State and Local Government on March 29  
 
Introduced: 03/14/2016
Sponsor: Senator Matt Schmidt, Member, Minnesota Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus   
Issue Brief: Technology and Fair Chase Ethics 
Summary: Relates to game and fish; modifies provisions for taking of wild animals; requires a report; states that a person man not use an unmanned aircraft system to take, harm, or harass a wild animal.
Status: Re-referred to Senate Committee on State and Local Government on March 30 
 
Introduced: 03/14/2016
Sponsor: Senator Matt Schmidt, Member, Minnesota Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus   
Issue Brief: Enforcement
Summary: Relates to game and fish; modifies provisions for taking and feeding wild animals.
Status: Re-referred to Senate Committee on Judiciary on March 29
 
Introduced: 03/16/2016
Sponsor: Senator John Marty
Issue Brief: Exotic Invasive Species  
Summary: Relates to natural resources; provides for control of invasive species; modifies wild rice license requirements; provides for streamlined review of certain plans and regulations; modifies and provides civil penalties; requires a report.
Status: Re-referred to Senate Committee on State and Local Government on March 29  
 
Introduced: 03/24/2016
Sponsor: Senator Bruce Anderson  
Issue Brief: License (General)   
Summary: Relates to game and fish; provides game and fish resident licenses for nonresident National Guard members.
Status: Introduced. To Senate Committee on Environment and Energy on March 24   
 
Introduced: 03/24/2016
Sponsor: Senator David Brown   
Issue Brief: General    
Summary: Relates to natural resources; provides for 2016 walleye fishing regulations for Mille Lacs Lake.
Status: To Senate Committee on Environment and Energy on March 24

Introduced: 03/30/2016
Sponsor: Senator Bill Ingebrigtsen, Member, Minnesota Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus   
Issue Brief: Lead Ammunition and Fishing Tackle Bans
Summary: Relates to game and fish; prohibits adoption of rules limiting use of lead shot.
Status: Introduced on March 30 

Introduced: 01/27/2016
Sponsor: Representative Tom Flanigan
Issue Brief: Budget Bills
Summary: Appropriates money for the expenses, grants, refunds, and distributions of the Department of Agriculture, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Conservation, and the several divisions and programs thereof and for the expenses, grants, refunds, distributions, and capital improvements projects.
Status: Public hearing scheduled for April 1
 
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: Signed by Governor (Act No. 285) on March 29  


WESTERN STATES 


Introduced: 03/06/2015
Sponsor: Representative Dave Talerico, Member, Alaska Legislative Outdoor Heritage Caucus
Issue Brief: Budget Bill; License (General)
Summary: Raises certain fees related to sport fishing, hunting, and trapping; relates to the fish and game fund; provides for the repeal of the sport fishing surcharge and sport fishing facility revenue bonds; raises the age of eligibility for a sport fishing, hunting, or trapping license exemption for state residents; raises the age at which a state resident is required to obtain a license for sport fishing, hunting, or trapping.
Status: From Senate Committee on Resources: Do Pass with substitute; to Senate Committee on Finance on March 30 

Introduced: 01/19/2016
Sponsor: Representative Dave Talerico, Member, Alaska Legislative Outdoor Heritage Caucus
Issue Brief: Fresh Water Angling Access
Summary: Relates to obstruction or interference with a person's free passage on or use of navigable water; amends the definition of 'navigable water' under the Alaska Land Act.
Status: To Senate Committee on Resources on March 25
 
Introduced: 03/30/2016
Sponsor: Senate Resources Committee
Issue Brief: Budget Bills; General
Summary: Suspends Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e), Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, concerning House Bill No. 137, raising certain fees related to sport fishing, hunting, and trapping; relates to the fish and game fund; provides for the repeal of the sport fishing surcharge and sport fishing facility revenue bonds; replaces the permanent sport fishing, hunting, or trapping identification card for certain residents with an identification card valid for three years.
Status: Introduced on March 30 

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: In House. Read third time. Passed House. To Senate for concurrence on March 28  
 
Introduced: 02/03/2016
Sponsor: Assembly Member Jay Obernolte 
Issue Brief: Range Protection
Summary: Excludes from the definition of the term disposal the onsite movement of soil at an active outdoor sport shooting range if this movement is done to facilitate the removal and recycling of spent ammunition materials existing on the site as a result of the normal use of the shooting range, the activities at the range are consistent with a specified manual, and the residual soil is replaced within the area from which was originally removed.
Status: From Assembly Committee n Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials: Do pass to Committee on Appropriations on March 29   
 
Introduced: 02/09/2016
Sponsor: Assembly Member James Gallagher, Member, California Outdoor Sporting Caucus
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary: Requires the Department of Fish and Wildlife to reduce the fee required to obtain the hunting and sport fishing licenses by an unspecified percentage for a person who is a veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States and is a resident.
Status: From Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife: Do pass to Committee on Veterans Affairs on March 29
 
Introduced: 02/17/2016
Sponsor: Senator Mike Morrell
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary: Requires the Department of Fish and Wildlife to issue a free hunting license to a disabled veteran or recovering service member and to issue a reduced fee hunting license, upon application and a payment of a fee to a veteran of the Armed Forces who was honorably discharged, and a free fishing license thereto.
Status: From Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water: DO pass to Committee on Appropriations on March 29  
 
Introduced: 02/19/2016
Sponsor: Senator Cathleen Galgiani, Co-Chair, California Outdoor Sporting Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Makes non-substantive changes to existing law that exempts members of the California Indian Tribes from laws regulating fish and wildlife while on the tribal reservation.
Status: In Senate. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Committee on Rules on March 28   
 
Introduced: 02/04/2016
Sponsor: Representative Don Coram, Member, Colorado Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General 
Summary: Concerns additional methods to manage forests to secure favorable conditions for water supply; directs the Colorado state forest service to contract with one or more entities to conduct pilot projects that utilize Colorado's good neighbor authority with the United States forest service to implement forest management treatments to improve forest health, supply forest products, and that target a Colorado watershed; creates a forest health advisory council; provides for duties and member appointment.
Status: In Senate. To Second Reading on March 24   
 
Introduced: 01/19/2016
Sponsor: Senator Mike Johnston
Issue Brief: Public Access to Private Lands
Summary: Concerns a clarification of the authority of the parks and wildlife commission to enter into an agreement with a private landowner.
Status: In Senate. To second reading on March 24    
 
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: In Committee: Bill scheduled for Decision Making on March 29
 
Introduced: 01/26/2016
Sponsor: Representative James Tokioka
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Supports game mammal, game bird, and fishing resources in order to promote sustainability and food security and to preserve long standing local and cultural practices.
Status: To House Committee on Finance on March 29
 
Introduced: 01/26/2016
Sponsor: Representative James Tokioka
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Supports game mammal, game bird, and fishing resources in order to promote sustainability and food security and to preserve long standing local and cultural practices.
Status: To House Committee on Finance on March 29
 
Introduced: 01/20/2016
Sponsor: Senators Mike Gabbard and Russell Ruderman 
Issue Brief: Interstate Wildlife Violators Compact      
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: In Committee: Hearing scheduled on March 30      
 
Introduced: 01/26/2016
Sponsor: Senator Ronald Kouchi 
Issue Brief: Public Access to Private Lands    
Summary: Relates to hunting on private lands; requires hunters to obtain written permission from landowners or occupiers or holders of private lands to hunt on those lands.
Status: In Committee: Measure Deferred on March 29    
 
Introduced: 03/23/2016
Sponsor: House Appropriations Committee
Issue Brief: Budget Bills
Summary: Appropriates funds to the Department of Fish and Game for fiscal year 2017; limits the number of authorized full-time equivalent positions.
Status: Passed Senate (32-3) on March 24 
 
Introduced: 03/23/2016
Sponsor: House Appropriations Committee
Issue Brief: Public Access to Private Lands; Fresh Water Angling Access; Budget Bills   
Summary: Appropriates funds to the ID Dept. of Lands and the ID Dept. of Fish and Game for the purpose of acquiring the Clagstone Meadows Conservation Easement.
Status: Passed Senate (22-11) on March 24
 
Introduced: 02/19/2016
Sponsor: Senate State Affairs Committee
Issue Brief: General  
Summary: Amends and adds to existing law to revise provisions regarding controlled hunts; provides for contracts with private entities to conduct drawings for controlled hunt permits and tags.
Status: Chaptered (Chapter No. 103) on March 22
 
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: Passed House on March 24
 
Introduced: 01/11/2015
Sponsor: Senator Kirk Pearson, Member, Washington Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General  
Summary: Provides for legislative review of the updated North Cascade elk herd plan.
Status: 1st Special Session: By Order of Resolution - Reintroduced and retained in present status on March 10  
 
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: Signed by governor (Chapter No. 30) on March 25 
        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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