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 18, 2016
NORTHEASTERN STATES 
 

Introduced: 02/18/2016
Sponsor: Joint Committee on Judiciary
Issue Brief: Wolf in Sheep's Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups
Summary: Concerns support for animals that are neglected or treated cruelly; permits the use of animal advocates in certain legal proceedings relating to neglected or cruelly treated animals.
Status: Reissued by Legislative Commissioner's Office with File No. 591 on April 13 
 
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 18  
 
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 and a resident game bird conservation stamp; amends certain hunting and fishing fees for residents less than eighteen years of age; erects a pheasant stocking account and program.
Status: Reported out of Legislative Commissioner's office on April 19  
 
Introduced: 02/24/2016
Sponsor: Joint Committee on Environment
Issue Brief: Trophy Importation Ban 
Summary: Concerns Cecil's law; prohibits the import, sale and trade of big-game hunting trophies from overseas.
Status: Reported out of Legislative Commissioner's Office on April 18 

Introduced: 02/24/2016
Sponsor: Joint Committee on Environment
Issue Brief: Tethering of Dogs  
Summary: Relates to damages for the unlawful killing or injuring of a companion animal; requires a report from the Department of Agriculture concerning the tethering of dogs; enables a court to award damages for the loss of companionship under certain conditions when a companion animal is intentionally killed or injured and requires a report on the adequacy of the state's dog tethering and confinement statute.
Status: Reported out of Legislative Commissioner's Office on April 12

Introduced: 01/14/2016
Sponsor: Representative Jeff Spiegelman, Co-Chair, Delaware Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus 
Issue Brief: Guns
Summary: Updates requirements for handguns used for deer hunting by adding a range and limit to allowable handgun calibers to accommodate changing handgun availability while maintaining public safety and handgun hunting efficacy.
Status: House Amendment No. HA 2 placed with Bill on April 20 

Introduced: 04/14/2016
Sponsor: Representative Edward Osienski
Issue Brief: National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS)
Summary: Closes a loophole to our gun background check laws. The current loophole allows for guns to be given to a potential purchaser if the background check is delayed for 3 days or more. In some cases a gun is given to a person who should not be in possession of a firearm. This leads to law enforcement having to retrieve a gun from a person prohibited if the background check provides that a person should not have a gun.
Status: From House Committee on House Administration: Reported without recommendation on April 20
 
Introduced: 06/24/2015
Sponsor: Senator Karen Peterson
Issue Brief: Ivory
Summary: Would prohibit a person from purchasing, selling, offering for sale, possessing with intent to sell, or importing with intent to sell ivory or rhinoceros horn, except as specified, and would make this prohibition enforceable by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. The bill would make a violation of this act, or any rule, regulation, or order adopted pursuant to this provision a misdemeanor subject to specified criminal penalties.
Status: Passed Senate. To House on April 14  
 
Introduced: 03/17/2016
Sponsor: Office of Legislative Requests
Issue Brief: General; National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS)
Summary:  Summary This initiated bill requires a background check before a firearm sale or transfer between individuals not licensed as firearm dealers. If neither party to a sale or transfer has a federal firearms license, the parties meet at a licensed firearm dealer, who conducts a background check on the transferee and completes the sale or transfer as though selling or transferring from the dealer's own inventory. Exceptions to the background check requirement are made for transfers.
Status: In Senate. Placed in Legislative File (Dead) on April 16
 
Introduced: 04/15/2015
Sponsor: Senator Mark Montigny
Issue Brief: Dog Tethering   
Summary: Relates to tethering of dogs.
Status: From Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government: Amended by sub. Of New Draft (see S. 2229) on April 19
 
Introduced: 04/19/2015
Sponsor: Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government
Issue Brief: Dog Tethering   
Summary: Relates to tethering of dogs.
Status: Introduced. New Draft for S. 1092. To Senate Committee on Rules on April 19 
 
Introduced: 01/06/2015
Sponsor: Representative David Kidder, Member, New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus    
Issue Brief: General; License (General)  
Summary: Allows the fish and game department to establish 2 days per year for fishing without a license but requires persons in fishing tournaments to have a license on those days; 16-2295 10/01.
Status: From Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Ought to pass on April 20  
 
Introduced: 01/06/2016
Sponsor: Senator Sam Cataldo
Issue Brief: Guns   
Summary: Relates to the qualifications for obtaining a license to carry a concealed pistol or revolver; amends the requirements for obtaining a concealed carry license by removing the requirement that the applicant be "suitable" and inserting a requirement that the applicant not be prohibited from possessing a firearm by State or federal statute.
Status: Public Hearing and Executive Session scheduled for April 26       
 
Introduced: 01/06/2016
Sponsor: Senator David Watters, Member, New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus   
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Establishes the coastal marine natural resources and environment commission to investigate, monitor, and propose prevention and mitigation strategies for emerging environmental threats in coastal and Great Bay waters, including the warming of waters, ocean acidification, and nutrient loading, which impact fish, shellfish, and the food chain thereof.
Status: Passed House. To Senate for concurrence on April 20
 
Introduced: 01/06/2016
Sponsor: Senator Dan Feltes   
Issue Brief: Enforcement
Summary: Relates to the feeding of wild deer; prohibits the feeding of wild deer at certain times and locations determined by the fish and game department and requires the labeling of wild animal feed; requires the fish and game department to distribute informational materials.
Status: Subcommittee work session scheduled for April 20
 
Introduced: 01/06/2016
Sponsor: Senator Nancy Stiles
Issue Brief: Substandard Kennels 
Summary: Requires hydration be made available to certain animals; establishes a committee to study harmful conditions for dogs.
Status: Failed to pass House on April 20
 
Introduced: 01/21/2016
Sponsor: Senator Gary Daniels   
Issue Brief: Off Highway Vehicles (OHVs)
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 26. Executive Session scheduled for April 27  

Introduced: 04/14/2016
Sponsor: Assembly Member Declan O'Scanlon, Member, New Jersey Angling and Hunting Conservation Caucus 
Issue Brief: Guns
Summary: Clarifies situations in which persons legally transporting firearm may deviate from course of travel.
Status: Introduced. To Assembly Committee on Law and Public Safety on April 14 
 
Introduced: 04/14/2016
Sponsor: Assembly Member Bob Andrzejcak
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary: Authorizes free hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses for volunteer emergency workers and persons with certain types of military service.
Status: Introduced. To Assembly Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources n April 14
 
Introduced: 04/18/2016
Sponsor: Senator Tony Bucco, Member, New Jersey Angling and Hunting Conservation Caucus 
Issue Brief: Guns
Summary: Revises definition of antique firearm to include handguns.
Status: Introduced. To Senate Committee on Law and Public Safety on April 18  
 
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: To Senate Committee on Environmental Resources  and Energy on April 20
 
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. Third Consideration scheduled for May 9
 
Introduced: 03/18/2016
Sponsor: Senator Pat Stefano, Member, Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
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. Third Consideration scheduled for May 9
 
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. Third Consideration scheduled for May 9
 
Introduced: 03/10/2016
Sponsor: Senator Frank Lombardo  
Issue Brief: Crossbows
Summary: Would legalize the taking of wild migratory birds by crossbow. This act would take effect upon passage.
Status: In Senate Committee on Environment and Agriculture: Committee recommends measure to be held for further study on April 13     
 
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: In Senate Committee on Environment and Agriculture: Committee recommends measure to be held for further study on April 13     
 
Introduced: 02/23/2016
Sponsor: Representative Kurt Wright                
Issue Brief: Ivory Ban 
Summary: Relates to the sale of ivory or rhinoceros horn; prohibits the import, sale, offer for sale, purchase, barter, or possession with intent to sell of any ivory, ivory product, rhinoceros horn, or rhinoceros horn product; provides for exceptions.
Status: Passed Senate. To House for concurrence on April 20    
 
Introduced: 01/05/2016
Sponsor: Representative John Bartholomew
Issue Brief: Dog Tethering 
Summary: Relates to adequate shelter of dogs and cats; relates to humane treatment of animals; amends requirements for the humane shelter of dogs and cats; provides definitions.
Status: From Senate Committee on Judiciary: Recommended with amendment. Committee amendment adopted on Senate floor on April 19   

Introduced: 01/14/2016
Sponsor: Representative David Deen, Member, Vermont Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus      
Issue Brief: Firearm Suppressors; Crossbows; Enforcement; Interstate Wildlife Violators Compact 
Summary: Relates to hunting, fishing, and trapping; relates to fish importation permits and introducing fish; provides for a uniform point system and revocation of a license; relates to unlawful equipment and vehicle forfeiture; relates to big game violations, and threatened and endangered species; prohibits taking big game out of season; requires the posting of notices prohibiting the taking of game; relates to private ponds.
Status: To Senate Committee on Finance on April 19
 
Introduced: 02/26/2016
Sponsor: House Natural Resources and Energy Committee
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to timber harvesting.
Status: To Senate Committee on Appropriations on April 19 


SOUTHEASTERN STATES


Introduced: 02/09/2016
Sponsor: Senator Rusty Glover
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Prohibits the nighttime hunting of protected birds and animals unless authorized by rule of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; provides that nighttime hunting of raccoons and opossums may be authorized pursuant to rule of the Department.
Status: To Governor on April 19

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: Motion to reconsider tabled on April 20   

Introduced: 03/07/2016
Sponsor: Representative Herb Frierson, Member, National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses (NASC) Executive Council
Issue Brief: Budget Bills    
Summary: Makes an appropriation for the support and maintenance of the Department of Marine Resources for the fiscal year 2017.
Status: Conference Committee Reported adopted by Senate on April 18

Introduced: 03/07/2016
Sponsor: Representative Herb Frierson, Member, National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses (NASC) Executive Council
Issue Brief: Budget Bills
Summary: Makes an appropriation for the support and maintenance of the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks for the fiscal year 2017.
Status: Conference Committee Report adopted by House and Senate on April 18

Introduced: 01/20/2016
Sponsor: Representative Bill Hixon, Member, South Carolina Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus 
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to terms and their definitions contained in the South Carolina marine resources act of 2000; provides a definition for the term Southern Cobia management zone; relates to certain federal fishing regulations; provides that these regulations do not apply to Cobia located in the Southern Cobia management zone.
Status: Passed Senate on April 20

Introduced: 02/12/2016
Sponsor: Senator Chip Campsen, Member, South Carolina Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus 
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to hunting and fishing licenses; provides that a person must have immediate access and authorization to utilize deer quota tags to hunt on property with a deer quota program permit; provides for the deer quota program and requirements for application; provides that a person must possess a set of individual deer tags to hunt on property without a deer quota program permit; sets the deer tag fees for in and out-of-state residents; relates to bag limits and authority over game zones.
Status: Passed House. To Senate for concurrence on April 15
 
Introduced: 02/10/2016
Sponsor: Senator Greg Hembree
Issue Brief: Fresh Water Angling Access
Summary: Relates to permits to utilize critical areas; establishes that an individual does not need to apply for a permit to dredge a manmade predominately armored recreational use or essential access canal.
Status: To Governor on April 19
 
Introduced: 01/19/2016
Sponsor: Representative Jay Reedy, Co-Chair, Tennessee Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus 
Issue Brief: Exotic 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. Substituted on House Floor by S 1753 on April 19    
 
Introduced: 01/19/2016
Sponsor: Senator Mark Green
Issue Brief: Exotic 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: Eligible for Governor's desk on April 20  
 
Introduced: 01/13/2016
Sponsor: Delegate L. Scott Lingamfelter, Co-Chair, Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Modern Sporting Rifle 
Summary: Relates to transfer of assault weapon; relates to proof of citizenship; makes consistent the type of identification and other documentation that a purchaser of a firearm must present when purchasing any type of firearm from a licensed dealer by removing the additional requirement for the purchase of an assault weapon that a person who purchases such a weapon must present proof of citizenship; relates to provisions prohibiting the sale of assault firearms to noncitizens.
Status: Signed by Governor (Acts of Assembly. Chapter No. 697) on April 4 


MIDWESTERN STATES


Introduced: 04/13/2016
Sponsor: Joint Committee on Budget
Issue Brief: Budget Bills
Summary: Provides for the Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission re-appropriation.
Status: Passed Senate (34-0). To House on April 19  

Introduced: 04/13/2016
Sponsor: Joint Committee on Budget
Issue Brief: Budget Bills  
Summary: Provides for the Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission appropriation for the 2016-2017 fiscal year.
Status: Passed Senate. To House on April 20    

Introduced: 01/27/2016
Sponsor: Representative Thomas Bennett
Issue Brief: Deer Management 
Summary: Amends the Wildlife Code; provides that it shall be unlawful to take or possess deer in the State, except if a person has complied with certain requirements.
Status: To Senate Committee on Assignments on April 20
 
Introduced: 01/28/2016
Sponsor: Representative John Cavaletto, Member, Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Amends the Wildlife Code; changes the name of the fee from Public Hunting Grounds for Pheasants to Public Hunting Grounds for Game Birds; provides that the Department of Natural Resources may permit hunters to take bobwhite quail, chukar partridge, and gray partridge on public hunting grounds; authorizes the Department to set the hunting season for game birds by administrative rule.
Status: To Senate Committee on Assignments on April 14
 
Introduced: 02/11/2016
Sponsor: Representative Avery Bourne 
Issue Brief: Hunter Recruitment, Retention, Reactivation
Summary: Amends the Wildlife Code; provides that a resident youth a certain age and under may apply to the Department of Natural Resources for a Youth Trapping License, which extends limited trapping privileges; provides that the Youth Trapping License shall be renewable and expire on a specified date following the date of issuance; provides that possession of a Youth Trapping License shall serve in lieu of a valid trapping license, but does not exempt the licensee from compliance with the requirements of the Code.
Status: In House. Read third time. Passed House (107-1). To Senate on April 15

Introduced: 05/13/2015
Sponsor: Senator Don Harmon
Issue Brief: Wolf in Sheep's 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 Third Reading on April 19   
 
Introduced: 02/03/2016
Sponsor: Senator Neil Anderson
Issue Brief: Hunter Recruitment, Retention, Reactivation
Summary: Amends the Wildlife Code; provides that a resident youth 18 and under may apply to the Department of Natural Resources for a Youth Trapping License, which extends limited trapping privileges; provides that the Youth Trapping License shall be renewable and expire on the March 31 following the date of issuance; provides that possession of a Youth Trapping License shall serve in lieu of a valid trapping license, but does not exempt the licensee from compliance with the requirements of the Code.
Status: To House Committee on Agriculture and Conservation on April 20
 
Introduced: 02/17/2016
Sponsor: Senator Ila Silverstein
Issue Brief: Off Highway Vehicles (OHV's)
Summary: Amends the Recreational Trails of Act; provides that any person under the age of 18 who is operating an off-highway vehicle on public land, shall be trained and certified through a State-approved off-highway vehicle safety course; provides that the minimum age to operate an off-highway vehicle on public land shall be 14 years old, and that any person under the age of 16 is prohibited from operating an off-highway vehicle on public land without direct adult supervision.
Status: In Senate. Rule 2-10 Committee/ Third reading deadline established as April 22    
 
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. Rule 2-10 Committee/ Third reading deadline established as April 22    
 
Introduced: 02/17/2016
Sponsor: Senator Neil Anderson  
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Amends the Wildlife Code; changes the name of the fee from Public Hunting Grounds for Pheasants to Public Hunting Grounds for Game Birds; provides that the Department of Natural Resources may permit hunters to take bobwhite quail, chukar partridge, and gray partridge on public hunting grounds; authorizes the Department to set the hunting season for game birds by administrative rule between the dates of September 1st and March 31st, both inclusive.
Status: In Senate. Placed on Calendar Order third reading on April 18
 
Introduced: 02/18/2016
Sponsor: Senator Bill Cunningham  
Issue Brief: License (General)
Summary: Amends the Wildlife Code; combines provisions for deer, turkey, and combination hunter licenses to certain landowners, including resident tenants certain commercial agricultural land where they will hunt and certain shareholders who wish to hunt on a corporation's, company's, or partnership's land.
Status: To House Committee on Agriculture and Conservation on April 18 
 
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. Rule 2-10 Committee/ Third reading deadline established as April 22    
 
Introduced: 04/13/2016
Sponsor: House Appropriations Committee
Issue Brief: American System of Conservation Funding; Enforcement; General  
Summary: Relates to state government entities involved with agriculture, natural resources, and environmental protection; makes appropriations; includes effective date provisions.
Status: In House (File Amendment No. H-8244). House concurred on Senate amendments on April 19
 
Introduced: 04/19/2016
Sponsor: Senate Appropriations Committee
Issue Brief: American System of Conservation Funding   
Summary: Relates to and makes appropriations to state departments and agencies from the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund, the State Bond Repayment Fund, the Technology Reinvestment Fund, and the Prison Bonding Fund; provides for related matters; includes effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.
Status: Passed Senate. To House on April 20   
 
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: Reported from the Legislative Bureau without amendments on April 20     
 
Introduced: 04/05/2016
Sponsor: Senator Ryan Gotti
Issue Brief: Fresh Water Angling Access; General
Summary: Creates Lake Bisteneau Recreation and Water Conservation District.
Status: From Senate Committee on Transportation, highways and Public Works: reported with amendment on April 18
 
Introduced: 03/14/2016
Sponsor: Senator Dan Claitor   
Issue Brief: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
Summary: Expresses legislative intent for enforcement of laws regulating fishing gear authorized for use in the state's offshore waters.
Status: Passed Senate. To House on April 20
 
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: In House. Second reading on April 14
 
Introduced: 02/23/2016
Sponsor: Representative Sarah Anderson   
Issue Brief: License (General)    
Summary: Relates to game and fish; requires online applications for hunting and fishing licenses to allow applicant to be organ donor; requires a report.
Status: In House. Second reading on April 20    
 
Introduced: 03/14/2016
Sponsor: Representative Paul Torkelson  
Issue Brief: Fresh Water Angling Access  
Summary: Relates to natural resources; clarifies and modifies certain buffer requirements on public waters and drainage ditches; modifies certain authority to issue administrative penalty orders.
Status: Indefinitely postponed (see S.B. 2503) on April 15  
 
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: In House. Second reading on April 14    
 
Introduced: 04/11/2016
Sponsor: Representative Denny McNamara, Member, Minnesota Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus  
Issue Brief: American System of Conservation Funding
Summary: Relates to state government; appropriates money for environment and natural resources; modifies prior appropriations; modifies provisions to harvest wild rice; establishes requirements for marine carbon monoxide detection devices; modifies terms of certain committees, funds, and accounts; provides for prescribed burns; modifies provisions for certain land sales and exchanges; creates Aggregate Resources Task Force; provides appointments; provides for certain water level control permit.
Status: Re-referred to House Committee on Ways and Means on April 15   
 
Introduced: 03/10/2016
Sponsor: Representative Rod Skoe
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to natural resources; clarifies and modifies certain buffer requirements on public waters and drainage ditches; establishes local government aid for buffer enforcement; appropriates money.
Status: Passed House on April 21  

Introduced: 03/16/2016
Sponsor: Senator Carrie Ruud
Issue Brief: General 
Summary: Relates to economic development; establishes a Mille Lacs Lake area economic relief grant program; provides for capital improvements; authorizes the sale of bonds; appropriates money.
Status: To Senate Committee on Finance on April 18
 
Introduced: 01/06/2016
Sponsor: Representative Kathie Conway, Member, Missouri Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Enforcement; General  
Summary: Requires boat title and registration fees collected annually in excess of one million dollars to be deposited in the water patrol division fund.
Status: To Senate Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on April 14
 
Introduced: 01/19/2016
Sponsor: Representative John Davis, Member, Nebraska Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus   
Issue Brief: Exotic Invasive Species 
Summary: Creates the Riparian Vegetation Management Task Force; relates to the Noxious Weed Control Act; provides for funds from the Noxious Weed and Invasive Plant Species Assistance Fund; requires an annual report; provides for the issuance of permits to control vegetation obscuring advertising signage along highways; amends provisions relating to water appropriations, hydropower and just compensation to the holder of an in-stream basin management appropriation; provides for the Niobrara Council.
Status: Signed by Governor on April 18   
 
Introduced: 01/06/2016
Sponsor: Senator John McCollister, Member, Nebraska Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus    
Issue Brief: Conservation Funding; General License    
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.
Status: Signed by Governor on April 18
 
Introduced: 04/22/2015
Sponsor: Representative Doug Green, Member, Ohio Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary: Allows an individual on active military duty, while on leave or furlough, to hunt deer or wild turkey without procuring a deer or wild turkey permit.
Status: To Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on April 20
 
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: Passed Senate (32014). To House for concurrence on April 20
 
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: To Governor on April 19
 
Introduced: 02/01/2016
Sponsor: Representative Kevin Wallace
Issue Brief: License (General)
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.
Status: To Governor on April 18
 
Introduced: 02/01/2016
Sponsor: Representative Charles McCall
Issue Brief: American System of Conservation Funding
Summary: Relates to game and fish; relates to the Wildlife Diversity Fund; reauthorizes income tax checkoff; provides an effective date.
Status: Passed Senate (40-2). To House for concurrence on April 14 
 
Introduced: 02/01/2016
Sponsor: Senator Kim Davis
Issue Brief: Off Highway Vehicles (OHV)
Summary: Relates to waters and water rights; relates to Grand River Dam Authority; amends a section relating officers serving in positions of the Authority; provides for retirement system election for certain employees hired after certain date; relates to free public use of lands; provides an exemption; relates to use of off-road and all-terrain vehicles; relates to scenic rivers; adds the Illinois River; makes amendments; provides definitions; prohibits the use of glass, Styrofoam or any plastic foam containers; /.
Status: Failed to pass House (44-42). Reconsidered by House on April 19    
 
Introduced: 10/15/2015
Sponsor: Representative Joel Kleefisch, Co-Chair, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Apprentice Hunting License; Hunter Recruitment, Retention, Reactivation
Summary: Eliminates age requirements for participating in the hunting mentorship program; relates to hunting devices authorized to be used under the hunting mentorship program.
Status: Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1 on April 13
 
Introduced: 10/15/2015
Sponsor: Representative Joel Kleefisch, Co-Chair, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Enforcement  
Summary: Relates to back tag requirements.
Status: Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1 on April 13
 
Introduced: 10/22/2015
Sponsor: Representative Romaine Quinn, Member, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Modern Restraining Animal Traps; Recruitment
Summary: Relates to a trapping mentorship program; relates to restrictions on taking or appropriating a trap or its contents; relates to requirements for tagging traps.
Status: Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1 on April 13
 
Introduced: 10/30/2015
Sponsor: Representative Ken Skowronski, Member, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Enforcement 
Summary: Relates to wild animal protection surcharges for game fish and a higher wild animal protection surcharge for certain animals of a larger size.
Status: Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1 on April 13
 
Introduced: 01/15/2016
Sponsor: Representative Terry Katsma, Member, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to shining wild animals.
Status: Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1 on April 13
 
Introduced: 03/07/2016
Sponsor: Representative Cory Mason   
Issue Brief: Ivory Ban   
Summary: Relates to the sale and purchase of products containing ivory or rhinoceros horn; provides a criminal penalty.
Status: Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1 on April 13
 
Introduced: 03/23/2015
Sponsor: Senator Terry Moulton, Co-Chair, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Game Meat Donation Programs
Summary: Authorizes reimbursement to counties for the costs incurred in processing and donating certain wild turkeys.
Status: Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1 on April 13
 
Introduced: 10/09/2015
Sponsor: Senator Duey Stroebel, Member, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus     
Issue Brief: General; Freshwater Angling Access
Summary: Relates to trolling permits issued to persons whose sight is impaired; requires the Department of Natural Resources to issue trolling permits to persons whose eyesight is impaired; requires such person to produce a certificate from a license physician or optometrist stating that his or her sight is impaired to the degree that he or she cannot read newspaper print with or without glasses; provides such permit allows such a person to fish or troll using an electric motor.
Status: Signed by Governor (Act No. 363) on April 15
 
Introduced: 10/09/2015
Sponsor: Senator Terry Moulton, Co-Chair, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Foundation
Issue Brief: Hunter Recruitment, Retention, Reactivation
Summary: Eliminates age requirements for participating in the hunting mentorship program; relates to hunting devices authorized to be used under the hunting mentorship program.
Status: Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1 on April 13
 
Introduced: 10/29/2015
Sponsor: Senator Terry Moulton, Co-Chair, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: License (General)   
Summary: Creates a trapping mentorship program and creates exceptions to the general prohibition against taking or appropriating a trap belonging to another person.
Status: Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1 on April 13
 
Introduced: 10/29/2015
Sponsor: Senator Fred Risser
Issue Brief: Modern Restraining Animal Traps
Summary: Prohibits persons from setting, operating, or otherwise using a steel-jawed trap, a body-gripping trap, or a snare to trap an animal in a state park.
Status: Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1 on April 13
 
Introduced: 10/29/2015
Sponsor: Senator Fred Risser
Issue Brief: Wolf in Sheeps Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups
Summary: Prohibits hunting in State parks.
Status: Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1 on April 13
 
Introduced: 12/07/2015
Sponsor: Senator Terry Moulton, Co-Chair, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus     
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Authorizes a person to shoot to kill an animal wounded by certain hunters.
Status: Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1 on April 13
 
Introduced: 01/08/2016
Sponsor: Senator Tom Tiffany, 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: Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1 on April 13
 
Introduced: 02/11/2016
Sponsor: Senator Fred Risser
Issue Brief: Enforcement; Ivory Ban
Summary: Relates to the sale and purchase of products containing ivory or rhinoceros horn and providing a criminal penalty.
Status: Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1 on April 13
 
Introduced: 02/11/2016
Sponsor: Senator Howard Marklein
Issue Brief: Fresh Water Angling Access 
Summary: Relates to pedestrians crossing railroads.
Status: Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1 on April 13


WESTERN STATES 


Introduced: 01/20/2015
Sponsor: Representative Cathy Tilton, Member, Alaska Legislative Outdoor Heritage Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to sport fishing services, sport fishing operators, and sport fishing guides; relates to sports fishing licenses; relates to sport fishing vessel registration; establishes that a person may not use a vessel to provide sport fishing services unless the vessel is registered with the department and proof of registration is attached to and clearly visible on the vessel while the vessel is used to provide sport fishing services; establishes that the department may adopt regulations.
Status: Awaiting transmittal to Governor on April 17 
 
Introduced: 03/06/2015
Sponsor: Representative Dave Talerico, Member, Alaska Legislative Outdoor Heritage Caucus
Issue Brief: Budget Bill; License (General)
Summary: Amends provisions regarding the intensive management surcharge; establishes special hunting and fishing licenses and permits for residents with developmental disabilities; establishes a sustainable wildlife account in the fish and game fund; raises fees for sport fishing, hunting and trapping; relates to the sport fishing surcharge and sport fishing facility revenue bonds; regulates nonresident hunters; provides for conservation decals and Chitina dip net fishing permits.
Status: House rescinded Concurrence of Senate amendment; to Conference Committee on April 20 
 
Introduced: 01/19/2015
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: Passed Senate; House concurred in Senate amendments on April 17
 
Introduced: 02/04/2014
Sponsor: Senator Bill Stoltze, Co-Chair, Alaska Legislative Outdoor Heritage Caucus
Issue Brief: Catch Shares
Summary: Provides priority to personal use fisheries when fishing restrictions are implemented to achieve a management goal.
Status: From Senate Committee on Resources: Do pass; to Senate Committee on Rules on April 15
 
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: Awaiting transmittal to Governor on April 20 
 
Introduced: 04/19/2016
Sponsor: Senator Gail Griffin, Member, Arizona Legislators for Wildlife
Issue Brief: American System of Conservation Funding; General; Hunter Education
Summary: Relates to recreational shooting; relates to Sonoran Desert Monument.
Status: Introduced on April 19  

Introduced: 02/04/2016
Sponsor: Assembly Member Jim Wood
Issue Brief: General 
Summary: Requires the Fish and Game Commission to engage in consultation with individual federal recognized Indian tribes in the State regarding elk management issues. Authorizes the Commission to allocated a specific number of elk tags to such Indian tribe for the purpose of harvesting elk located within the defined territory of that tribe for purposes of subsistence, cultural or religious ceremonies, or tribal celebrations. Requires the Commission to work with the tribe on a science-based management strategy.
Status: In Assembly Committee on Appropriations: To suspense file on April 20 

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 and the Department of Parks and Recreation to develop regulations for the use of unmanned aircraft systems, commonly known as drones, over the public lands managed by each department. Provides specified items for the Department to consider when developing such regulations.
Status: From Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife: Do pass as amended to Committee on Appropriations on April 19   

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. Makes violations of the Act subject to criminal penalties. Authorizes all law enforcement to enforce or aid in enforcement of the Act.
Status: From Senate Committee on Public Safety: Do pass as amended to Committee on Appropriations on April 19 

Introduced: 01/13/2016
Sponsor: Senator Kerry Donovan, Co-Chair, Colorado Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Concerns recognition of the fourth Monday in March as a state holiday, and, in connection therewith, designating the fourth Monday in March as public lands day.
Status: In House. To Second reading on April 18  
 
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: Eligible for Governor's Desk on April 21 
 
Introduced: 03/08/2016
Sponsor: Senator Jerry Sonnenberg
Issue Brief: General; Right to Hunt and Fish
Summary: Concerns the right of Coloradans to hunt wildlife, and, in connection therewith, establishing hunting as the primary means of managing wildlife.
Status: To House Committee on State, Veterans & Military Affairs on April 19 

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: From Senate Committee on Water, Land and Agriculture: Do pass amended (SD1). From Senate Committee on Government Operations: Do pass as amended (SD1) on April 20  
        SCISCI is a proud partner of CSF and
sponsors in part TRACKING THE CAPITOLS

 
 
Working with Congress, governors and state legislatures to protect and advance hunting, angling, recreational shooting, and trapping.
 
For more information on the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation go to 
www.SportsmensLink.org

For additional information on legislation included in this report please contact the appropriate representative: 
 
Midwestern States Director Chris Horton, at 501.865.1475, or email [email protected]
Northeastern States Director Brent Miller, at 202.543.6850 x 13, or email [email protected]
Southeastern States Manager Bee Frederick, at 334.593.6988, or email [email protected]
Western States Director Andy Treharne, at 303.789.7589, or email [email protected]


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