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
