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 

April 4, 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: Re-issued by Legislative Commissioner's Office with File No. 418 on April 4
 
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: Reported out of Legislative Commissioner's Office on April 5
 
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: Reissued be Legislative Commissioner Offices with File no. 365 on March 31
 
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: Reissued be Legislative Commissioner Offices with File no. 430 on April 4
 
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: Signed by Governor (Public Law No. 433) on April 5
 
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: Signed by Governor (Public Law No. 423) on April 1      
 
Introduced: 12/16/2015
Sponsor: Delegate Anthony O'Donnell, Member, Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus 
Issue Brief: General 
Summary: Relates to Calvert County and St. Mary's County; relates to archery hunting; relates to safety zone.
Status: Second reading passed. To third reading on April 6  
 
Introduced: 01/21/2016
Sponsor: Carroll County Delegation
Issue Brief: 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: Second reading passed. To third reading on April 6
 
Introduced: 01/25/2016
Sponsor: Delegate Dana Stein
Issue Brief: Conservation Tax Incentive  
Summary: Alters provisions of law concerning a credit against the State income tax for specified preservation and conservation easements to allow an individual or a member of a pass-through entity to claim the credit for an easement conveyed to the Maryland Environmental Trust, the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation, or the Department of Natural Resources under specified circumstances; requires the Board of Public Works to approve tax credits on a first-come, first-served basis.
Status: Second reading passed. To third reading on April 6     
 
Introduced: 01/27/2016
Sponsor: Delegate Jay Jacobs, Member, Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Authorizes in Kent County a person to catch gizzard shad, also known as mud shad, carp, or catfish with a haul seine during the period from Friday midnight until sunrise on Monday under specified circumstances; requires the Department of Natural Resources to adopt specified regulations.
Status: Second reading passed. To third reading on April 7   
 
Introduced: 01/27/2016
Sponsor: Anne Arundel County Delegation 
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Establishes for archery hunters in Anne Arundel County a safety zone of 50 yards from a dwelling house, residence, church, or any other building or camp within which archery hunting may not take place except under specified circumstances.
Status: Passed Senate. Eligible for Governor's desk on April 6
 
Introduced: 01/29/2016
Sponsor: Delegate Anthony O'Donnell, Member, Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Enforcement
Summary: Requires a court order for a person convicted of poaching deer on land in the State; requires convicted person to pay the State restitution under certain circumstances and to perform community service under certain circumstances; requires certain restitution collected to be credited to the State Wildlife Management and Protection Fund requires the Department of Natural Resources to adopt certain regulations; encourages the Department and the Administrative Office of the Courts to develop a certain database.
Status: Passed Senate. Eligible for Governor's desk on April 6
 
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 and limits the number that may be issued to a person; authorizes a person to obtain a license on completion of a certain course; authorizes certain persons to hunt under a license only if accompanied and directly supervised; authorizes certain licensees to hunt without supervision; prohibits the renewal of an apprentice hunting license and issuance to certain persons; establishes resident and nonresident fees.
Status: From Senate Committee on Education, Health and Environmental Affairs: Reported unfavorably on April 1
 
Introduced: 02/12/2016
Sponsor: Delegate Matt Morgan   
Issue Brief: White-tailed Deer Management -- Hunting as a preferred Management Tool 
Summary: Authorizes an individual who Holds a Deer Management Permit in Charles County and St. Mary's County to use a shotgun or breech loading center fired rifle approved by the Department of Natural Resources to hunt deer throughout the year, including all deer hunting seasons, in the locations and under the conditions set forth in the permit.
Status: Passed Senate. Eligible for Governor's Desk on April 6 
 
Introduced: 02/12/2016
Sponsor: House Environment and Transportation Committee
Issue Brief: American System of Conservation Funding; General  
Summary: Clarifies the authorized uses of the State Wildlife Management and Protection Fund; repeals specified requirements that the Department of Natural Resources use specified funds from specified hunting license sales for specified purposes; requires a person who harvests a game bird or mammal to report the harvest in accordance with specified regulations; requires a person who possesses a game bird or mammal killed by means other than hunting to report the possession in accordance with specified regulations.
Status: Hearing scheduled at 1:00 PM on April 7
 
Introduced: 01/15/2016
Sponsor: Senator Adelaide Eckardt, Member, Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Conservation Tax Incentive   
Summary: Alters specified provisions of law concerning a credit against the State income tax for specified preservation and conservation easements to allow an individual or a member of a pass-through entity to claim the credit for an easement conveyed to the State Environmental Trust, the State Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation, or the Department of Natural Resources under specified circumstances; requires the Comptroller to adopt specified regulations.
Status: Third reading passed with amendments (137-0) on April 7 
 
Introduced: 01/21/2016
Sponsor: Delegate Justin Ready  
Issue Brief: Sunday Hunting Restrictions
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: From House Committee on Environment and Transportation: Reported favorably on April 6
 
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: From House Committee on Environment and Transportation: Reported as amended on April 6
 
Introduced: 01/22/2016
Sponsor: Senator Bryan Simonaire, Member, Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges   
Summary: Requires the Department of Natural Resources to submit an annual report to the General Assembly and the Department of Veterans Affairs on specified licenses issued by the Department of Natural Resources; authorizes the Department of Natural Resources annually to issue a complimentary Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Sport Fishing License to specified individuals.
Status: From House Committee on Environment and Transportation: Reported favorably on April 6  
 
Introduced: 02/05/2016
Sponsor: Senator Bryan Simonaire, Member, Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges   
Summary: Authorizes a person to purchase and donate specified recreational hunting or fishing licenses and corresponding stamps; authorizes a certain entity to issue a donated license or stamp only for use by a gold star recipient or certain other persons; requires sponsorship and adherence to certain hunting and hunting safety requirements; prohibits certain fees; relates to nonresident licenses, the adoption and implementation of certain regulations and programs, and the Recreational License Donation Fund.
Status: From House Committee on Environment and Transportation: Reported as amended on April 6
 
Introduced: 04/05/2016
Sponsor: Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture
Issue Brief: White-tailed Deer Management - Hunting as a preferred Management Tool
Summary: Relates to bow hunting for deer in Wompatuck State Park.
Status: To House Committee on Ways and Means on April 6  
 
Introduced: 04/05/2016
Sponsor: Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture
Issue Brief: Modern Restraining Animal Traps
Summary: Relates to the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife.
Status: To House Committee on Ways and Means on April 6 
 
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: Passed Senate on March 31
 
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: Public Hearing scheduled for April 14
 
Introduced: 04/04/2016
Sponsor: Representative Tim Eustace
Issue Brief: Wolf in Sheeps Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups
Summary: Prohibits baiting for black bear during authorized bear hunt and requires use of bear-resistant dumpsters and food boxes at certain campgrounds and camping facilities.
Status: Introduced. To Assembly Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on April 4  
 
Introduced: 04/04/2016
Sponsor: Representative Tim Eustace
Issue Brief: Wolf in Sheeps Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups
Summary: Removes black bear from list of game species.
Status: Introduced.To Assembly Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on April 4 
 
Introduced: 04/04/2016
Sponsor: Representative Tim Eustace
Issue Brief: Wolf in Sheeps Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups
Summary: Opposes expansion of black bear hunting season in New Jersey.
Status: Introduced.To Assembly Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on April 4 
 
Introduced: 04/05/2016
Sponsor: Representative Steve Englebright 
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; relates to the definition of freshwater wetlands; repeals section relating to the applicability of the freshwater wetlands article; provides authority of DEC over wetlands which are one acre or more; amends permitting requirements for subdivision of land.
Status: Introduced.To Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation on April 5
  
Introduced: 04/05/2016
Sponsor: Representative Steve Englebright 
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; relates to enforcement of the freshwater wetland law; requires restoration of areas adjacent to wetlands by those persons who, following procedures set forth in law, have been directed to cease violation and to restore the affected wetlands.
Status: Introduced.To Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation on April 5  
 
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: To Assembly Committee on Codes on April 5
 
Introduced: 03/23/2015
Sponsor: Representative Dan Moul, Member, Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Public Access to Private Lands
Summary: Amends the act of February 2, 1965 (P.L.1860, No.586), entitled "An act encouraging landowners to make land and water areas available to the public for recreational purposes by limiting liability in connection therewith, and repealing certain acts;" provides for liability for landowners to recreational users; provides for attorney fees and court costs.
Status: In House. Read third time. Passed House. To Senate on April 4 

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. Laid on table on April 6 
 
Introduced: 02/03/2015
Sponsor: Senator Richard Alloway, Member, Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General 
Summary: Amends Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in hunting and furtaking; provides for tagging and reporting big game kills.
Status: In Senate. Read Third Time. Passed Senate. To House on April 5  
 
Introduced: 01/22/2016
Sponsor: Senator Mario Scavello 
Issue Brief: Hunting with 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 Senate. Read second time on April 5
 
Introduced: 03/18/2016
Sponsor: Senator Pat Stafano
Issue Brief: American System of Conservation Funding
Summary: Amends Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Pennsylvania Game Commission; provides for powers and duties of commission; in hunting and furtaking licenses; provides for license costs and fees.
Status: In Senate. Read first time on March 23

Introduced: 03/21/2016
Sponsor: Senator John Eichelberger, Member, Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: American System of Conservation Funding    
Summary: Amends Title 30 (Fish) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission; provides for power to set fees by regulation; provides for collection fee for uncollectible checks; provides for nonresident and tourist licenses, for one-day resident fishing license, for license, permit and issuing agent fees and for license and permit packaging options; provides for net permits.
Status: In Senate. Read first time on March 23 


SOUTHEASTERN STATES


Introduced: 04/05/2016
Sponsor: Representative David Sessions   
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to commercial fishing and net and seine permits; furthers provide for the renewal of permits without regard to the income requirements.
Status: Introduced. To House Committee on Agriculture and Forestry on April 5   
 
Introduced: 04/05/2016
Sponsor: Representative David Sessions   
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to certain commercial fishing permits issued by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; authorizes the holder of a permit to designate one person who could be issued a captain's license to operate the vessel when the holder of the permit is not present on the vessel.
Status: Introduced. To House Committee on Agriculture and Forestry on April 5   
 
Introduced: 04/05/2016
Sponsor: Senator Arthur Orr    
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.
Status: Introduced. To House Committee on Agriculture and Forestry on March 5   
 
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: To Governor 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: House concurred in Senate amendments on April 1  

Introduced: 02/09/2016
Sponsor: Senator Sean Tindell    
Issue Brief: Firearm Suppressors
Summary: Revises the prohibition on silencers on firearms; provides penalties.
Status: Signed by Governor on April 5   

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 Senate Committee on Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources on April 6   

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: In House. Read second time. Held on desk on March 31

Introduced: 12/18/2015
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: Acts of Assembly. Chapter No. 378 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; 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: Acts of Assembly. Chapter No. 540 on March 29

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: Acts of Assembly. Chapter No. 486 on March 25

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: Acts of Assembly. Chapter No. 373 on March 11 


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; adds catfish to the list of aquatic life that may be taken by pitchfork, underwater spear gun, bow and arrow or bow and arrow device, including a sling shot bow, spear, or gig; provides that specified fish shall not be sold or bartered unless authorized by the Department of Natural Resources; provides that the daily take, harvest limits, or additional species are subject to and set forth in administrative rule.
Status: In House. Placed on Calendar Order Third Reading on April 6     
 
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: In House. Placed on Calendar Order Third Reading on April 6

Introduced: 05/31/2015
Sponsor: Senator Don Harmon
Issue Brief: Wolf in Sheeps Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups
Summary: Amends the Wildlife Code; prohibits the sale of bobcat pelts of bobcats taken; penalty for a violation of this provision is a Petty offense, as provided in the general penalty section of the Code.
Status: In Senate. Placed on Calendar Order Second Reading on April 7 

Introduced: 02/15/2016
Sponsor: House Natural Resources Committee
Issue Brief: Guns; Off Highway Vehicles (OHV's)
Summary: Permits a person to operate or ride on a snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle with a loaded firearm without a permit to carry weapons, if the person is on land owned or possessed by the person, and the person's conduct is otherwise lawful; amends provisions for persons on land owned or possessed by another person; provides that a non-ambulatory person may discharge a firearm from such vehicle while lawfully hunting if the person is not operating or riding a moving all-terrain vehicle or snowmobile.
Status: Signed by Governor on April 6    
 
Introduced: 02/17/2016
Sponsor: Senator Ila Silverstein
Issue Brief: Wolf in Sheeps Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups
Summary: Amends the Wildlife Code; provides that it is unlawful for any person subject to the jurisdiction of this State to import animal trophies into, or export the trophy from, this State; takes any trophy within this State.
Status: In Senate Committee on Judiciary: Postponed in committee on April 6
 
Introduced: 02/19/2016
Sponsor: Senator Sam McCann, Member, Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Freshwater Angling Access
Summary: Amends the Rivers, Lakes, and Streams Act; provides that certified copies of data, surveys, charts, high and low water marks, river gauges, and information with reference to navigability of public bodies of water in this State collected by the Department of Natural Resources shall be self-authenticating and received in court as evidence of the facts thereby shown.
Status: In Senate Committee on Transportation: Postponed in committee on April 6
 
Introduced: 03/30/2016
Sponsor: Representative Tom Hackbarth, Member, Minnesota Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus   
Issue Brief: Enforcement; American System of Conservation Funding; Lead Ban 
Summary: Relates to game and fish; modifies provisions for taking and feeding wild animals.
Status: Re-referred to House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance on April 1 
 
Introduced: 03/10/2016
Sponsor: Representative Tom Hackbarth, Member, Minnesota Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus      
Issue Brief: Enforcement
Summary: Relates to game and fish; modifies penalties for gross overlimits; provides criminal penalties for a person who takes, possesses, or transports wild animals over the legal limit, in closed season, or without a valid license, when the restitution value of the wild animals is over a certain limit.
Status: In House. Second reading on April 6  
 
Introduced: 03/10/2016
Sponsor: Representative Denny McNamara, Member, Minnesota Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus      
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: In House. Second reading on April 1
 
Introduced: 03/10/2016
Sponsor: Representative Debra Kiel       
Issue Brief:  Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary: Relates to game and fish; provides game and fish resident licenses for nonresident National Guard members.
Status: Re-referred to House Committee on Ways and Means on April 6
 
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: In House. To second reading on April 6
 
Introduced: 03/14/2016
Sponsor: Representative Jim Newberger      
Issue Brief: License (General)
Summary: Relates to game and fish; provides preference for certain landowners when conducting deer-hunting lotteries.
Status: Re-referred to House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance on April 1 
 
Introduced: 03/17/2016
Sponsor: Representative Tom Anzelc     
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to game and fish; modifies season for taking crows.
Status: In House. Second reading on April 1   
 
Introduced: 03/17/2016
Sponsor: Representative Ron Ecklund      
Issue Brief: License (General)
Summary: Relates to natural resources; authorizes lifetime game and fish license information to be placed on a driver's license or Minnesota identification card.
Status: Re-referred to House Committee on Transportation Policy and Finance on April 6
 
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: In Senate. Second reading on April 4   
 
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; relates to threatened or endangered wild animals.
Status: Re-referred to Senate Committee on Finance on April 4  
 
Introduced: 03/30/2016
Sponsor: Senator Jim Abeler
Issue Brief: Wolf in Sheeps Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups
Summary: Relates to game and fish; modifies night vision possession restrictions.
Status: To Senate Committee on Environment and Energy on March 31
 
Introduced: 03/30/2016
Sponsor: Senator Jim Abeler
Issue Brief: American System of Conservation Funding
Summary: Relates to game and fish; eliminates the turkey stamp and related revenues.
Status: To Senate Committee on Environment and Energy on March 31
 
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: To Senate Committee on Environment and Energy on March 31  
 
Introduced: 03/30/2016
Sponsor: Senator Jim Abeler
Issue Brief: American System of Conservation Funding
Summary: Relates to game and fish; removes deer license revenue transfer for wolf management.
Status: To Senate Committee on Environment and Energy on March 31
 
Introduced: 04/04/2016
Sponsor: Senator Bill Ingebrigtsen, Member, Minnesota Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus   
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary: Relates to game and fish; allows hunters with a disability to hunt with laser sights; provides criminal penalties.
Status: To Senate Committee on Environment and Energy on April 4
 
Introduced: 01/06/2016
Sponsor: Senator John McCollister, Member, Nebraska Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus    
Issue Brief: American System of Conservation Funding; License (General) 
Summary: Relates to game and parks; changes the limit for increasing fees by the Game and Parks Commission; changes provisions relating to permits, permit applications, and game breeding and controlled shooting areas; changes license, permit, stamp, and application fees as prescribed; repeals the original sections.
Status: Placed on Final Reading on April 6
 
Introduced: 02/02/2016
Sponsor: Representative Steve Vaughan, Member, Oklahoma Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to capture and mutilation of protection wildlife; deletes restrictions on abandoning the body of game birds, mammals or fish; deleting restrictions on mutilating wildlife; makes it unlawful to waste edible meat of game wildlife; provides exceptions for gunshots, injury or disease or if the wildlife is being prepared for taxidermy; makes it unlawful to abandon the body of any protected wildlife within a specified distance of a public road; provides for revocation of a hunting or fishing license.
Status: From Senate Committee on Tourism and Wildlife: Do pass as substituted on April 5     
 
Introduced: 02/01/2016
Sponsor: Representative Kevin Wallace
Issue Brief: Firearm Suppressors
Summary: Creates the Hunting Freedom Act; relates to taking wildlife; prohibits use of any device which suppresses noise from a firearm, known as a suppressor or silencer unless it is registered in compliance with the requirements of federal law; exempts employees of Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry Wildlife Services Division and the United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services while engaged in wildlife management activities; relates to payment of federal taxes for use of such device.
Status: From Senate Committee on Tourism and Wildlife: Do pass as amended. Title stricken on April 5   
 
Introduced: 02/01/2016
Sponsor: Representative Kevin Wallace
Issue Brief: General; Public Access to Private Lands
Summary: Relates to game and fish; relates to special use permits for hunting, fishing or using certain private lands; deletes land size restriction for special use permits to use certain private lands; declares an emergency.
Status: From Senate Committee on Tourism and Wildlife: Do pass on April 5
 
Introduced: 02/01/2016
Sponsor: Senator Nathan Dahm   
Issue Brief: Exotic Invasive Species 
Summary: Relates to game wardens; relates to the permission to hunt, take, fish or engage in recreational activity upon land of another; prohibits certain actions by game wardens; provides an effective date.
Status: From House Committee on Wildlife: Do pass as substituted. Title restored on April 5 


WESTERN STATES 


Introduced: 01/29/2016
Sponsor: House Rules Committee
Issue Brief: License (General); Enforcement
Summary: Relates to sport fishing, hunting, or trapping licenses, tags, or permits; relates to penalties for certain sport fishing, hunting, and trapping license violations; relates to restrictions on the issuance of sport fishing, hunting, and trapping licenses; creates violations and amending fines and restitution for certain fish and game offenses; relates to commercial fishing violations.
Status: To House Committee on Judiciary on April 1   
 
Introduced: 01/14/2016
Sponsor: Representative Kelly Townsend, Member, Arizona Legislators for Wildlife
Issue Brief: Enforcement; General; Wolf in Sheep's Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups
Summary: Relates to wild horses; relates to management; relates to prohibition; relates to Salt River wild horse herd; states that a person who intentionally releases a domesticated horse into the wild is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor.
Status: Senate engrossed. Printed on April 7 
 
Introduced: 02/01/2016
Sponsor: Representative Regina Cobb 
Issue Brief: General 
Summary: Relates to Game and Fish (G&F); relates to penalties; relates to law enforcement; relates to omnibus.
Status: From Senate Committee of the Whole. To third reading on April 5
 
Introduced: 02/17/2016
Sponsor: Assembly Member Chris Holden
Issue Brief: Technology and the Fair Chase Ethic    
Summary: Requires the Department of Fish and Wildlife to develop guidelines for the use of unmanned aircraft systems, commonly known as drones, over the public lands managed by the department.
Status: From Assembly Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection: Do pass to Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife on April 5
 
Introduced: 01/12/2016
Sponsor: Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson
Issue Brief: General     
Summary: Enacts the State Remote Piloted Aircraft Act. Establishes conditions for operating remote piloted aircraft, including the procurement of liability insurance. Authorizes the adoption of rules and regulations governing the operation of such aircraft, and rules for minimum standards to assist political subdivisions and their law enforcement agencies execute the Act. Provides the procedure for aggrieved individuals to obtain relief. Makes violations of the Act subject to criminal penalties.
Status: In Senate. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Committee on Public Safety on April 7 
 
Introduced: 02/18/2016
Sponsor: Senator Tom Berryhill, Member, California Outdoor Sporting Caucus
Issue Brief: General  
Summary: Requires the Department of Fish and Wildlife to develop and submit a wildlife resources master plan. Includes fisheries and authorizes regulations that implement a wildlife management plan or amendment to make operative any wildlife management statute that applies to the resource.
Status: In Senate. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Committee on Natural Resources on April 5 
 
Introduced: 03/16/2016
Sponsor: Representative KC Becker, Member, Colorado Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General   
Summary: Concerns the confirmation of certain uses of water as being beneficial.
Status: From House Committee on Agriculture, Livestock & Natural Resources: Postponed indefinitely (11-0) on April 4 
 
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: To House Committee on Agriculture, Livestock & Natural Resources on April 1 
 
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; recognizes that pig, goats, sheep, and deer are now recognized as game mammal and game bird resources and should be included among the game management resources; urges State Departments to develop and update their rules and policies to integrate the local hunting and fishing industries into any food security or sustainability strategies.
Status: Adopted on April 5

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; urges state department to develop and update their rules and policies to integrate the local hunting and fishing industries into food security or sustainability strategies they employ and to preserve, protect, and promote these industries and local cultural practices.
Status: Passed House. To Senate on April 5
 
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: In House Committee on Finance: Voted do pass with amendment on April 5
 
Introduced: 01/26/2016
Sponsor: Senator Ronald Kouchi 
Issue Brief: Public Access to Private Lands    
Summary: (Governor) Requires hunters to obtain written permission from landowners or occupiers or holders of private lands to hunt on private lands; effective July 1, 2016.
Status: In Committee: Measure Deferred on April 5   
 
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: Signed by Governor on March 31  
 
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: Signed by Governor on April 5
 
Introduced: 01/16/2016
Sponsor: Representative Brian Blake, Co-Chair, Washington Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
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: Chaptered No. 78 on March 31

Introduced: 01/25/2016
Sponsor: Representative Mike McKell
Issue Brief: License (General)     
Summary: Clarifies the nature of a license, permit, tag, certificate of registration, point, or credit issued to a person by the Division of Wildlife Resources; modifies procedures for a big game hunting permit; provides for a free fishing day; states a license, permit, tag, or certificate or registration issued to a person by the Division is a privilege, not a right; states that a point or credit issued to a person to improve their chance's or receiving a hunting permit may not be transferred, sold, or assigned.
Status: Chaptered. Chapter No. 258 on April 1 

Introduced: 01/12/2016
Sponsor: Senator Jim Honeyford
Issue Brief: Budget Bills; General
Summary: Implements the recommendations of the 2015 review of the wildlife and recreation program that include the promotion of habitat conservation, outdoor recreation, working lands preservation, property rights, and coordination between the State and local governments and ensuring continued success of the program for future generations.
Status: Chaptered No. 149 on March 31
        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


Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter View our videos on YouTube View on Instagram