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: Enrolled Public Act No. 16-30 on May 6
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: To Governor on May 9
Introduced: 03/16/2016
Sponsor: Representative William Carson, Co-Chair, Delaware Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Sunday Hunting Restrictions
Summary: Allows for the hunting of deer on private land on Sundays.
Status: Passed House. To Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Environmental Control on May 10
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: In Senate Committee on Judiciary on May 11
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: House Amendment placed with bill (No. HA 1) on May 11
Introduced: 03/24/2016
Sponsor: Representative Patricia Blevins
Issue Brief: Hunting with Dogs
Summary: Reassigns the responsibility of dog control and dangerous dog management from the counties of this state to the Delaware Division of Public Health Office of Animal Welfare, and updates procedures for handling dangerous and potentially dangerous dog hearings for a more fair and equitable process. The bill also reassigns the responsibility for stray livestock response from the Delaware SPCA to the Delaware Department of Agriculture, with support from animal welfare officers.
Status: From House Committee on Health and Human Development: Reported without recommendation on May 11
Introduced: 01/27/2016
Sponsor: Delegate Seth Howard, Member, Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Establishes safety zones of certain sizes within which hunting, including archery hunting, may not take place except under specified circumstances, including during hunting season; provides that persons other than the owner or occupant, while hunting, may not shoot or discharge any firearm or deadly weapon within a certain distance or a dwelling house, residence, church, occupied building or camp, or public or nonpublic school without specific advance permission of the owner.
Status: Signed by Governor Larry Hogan, Member, Governors Sportsmen's Caucus (Chapter No. 334) on May 10
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: Signed by Governor Larry Hogan, Member, Governors Sportsmen's Caucus (Chapter No. 384) on May 10
Introduced: 01/15/2016
Sponsor: Senator Adelaide Eckardt, Member, Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Conservation Tax Incentive
Summary: Allows for individuals or members of a pass-thorough entity a limited credit against the State income tax for an easement conveyed to certain entities for the preservation of certain environmental and historic resources, based on the market value of the property; defines terms; disallows the claim for certain required designations of open space and requires the adoption of regulations specifying a procedure for making a claim for the credit.
Status: Signed by Governor Larry Hogan, Member, Governors Sportsmen's Caucus (Chapter No. 351) on May 10
Introduced: 01/29/2016
Sponsor: Senator Stephen Waugh, Member, Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
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: Signed by Governor Larry Hogan, Member, Governors Sportsmen's Caucus (Chapter No. 383) on May 10
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 any corresponding stamps for specified purposes; authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to issue a donated license or stamp only for use by a disabled veteran, a disabled member of the armed services, or a permanently disabled person who requires the use of a wheelchair; prohibits the Department from charging a fee for the issuance of a donated license or stamp.
Status: Signed by Governor Larry Hogan, Member, Governors Sportsmen's Caucus (Chapter No. 424) on May 10
Introduced: 01/08/2015
Sponsor: Representative John Burt, Member, New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Firearm Suppressors
Summary: Repeals provisions which prohibit the use of silencing devices for taking wildlife and impose penalties therefor.
Status: House concurred in Senate Amendments on May 11
Introduced: 01/08/2015
Sponsor: Representative Guy Comtois
Issue Brief: Guns
Summary: Increases the length of time for which a license to carry a pistol or revolver is valid; allows a person to carry a loaded, concealed pistol or revolver without a license provided such person is not otherwise prohibited by law; repeals the requirements to obtain a license to carry a concealed pistol or revolver.
Status: Passed Senate on May 5
Introduced: 01/06/2016
Sponsor: Representative Mark Proulx, Member, New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Guns
Summary: Prohibits carrying in a motor vehicle, OHRV, snowmobile, aircraft, or boat, a loaded rifle or loaded shotgun that has a round in the chamber and the safety in the off position.
Status: From Senate Committee on Transportation: Ought not to pass on May 5
Introduced: 01/06/2016
Sponsor: Representative Gene Chandler, Co-Chair, New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Off Highway Vehicles (OHV)
Summary: Relates to damage to private property; creates a cause of action for a landowner whose land is damaged by pollution, or off highway recreation vehicle or snowmobile use.
Status: Passed Senate. To House for concurrence on May 5
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: Passed House. To Senate for concurrence on May 11
Introduced: 01/06/2016
Sponsor: Senator David Watters, Member, New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
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: Passed House. To Senate for concurrence on May 11
Introduced: 01/06/2016
Sponsor: Senator Dan Feltes
Issue Brief: White-tailed Deer Management -- Hunting as a preferred Management Tool
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: Passed House. To Senate for concurrence on May 11
Introduced: 01/21/2016
Sponsor: Senator Gary Daniels
Issue Brief: Off Highway Vehicles (OHV's)
Summary: Relates to an OHRV registration fee for persons who are members of an OHRV club; requires a report on registration alternatives for OHRV users who do not use organized trail systems; establishes an OHRV registration fee for persons who are members of an OHRV club which is reduced $30 from the increased fee paid by other registrants; requires the executive director of the fish and game department to report on registration alternatives for OHRV users who do not use organized trail systems.
Status: Passed House. To Senate for concurrence on May 11
Introduced: 02/04/2015
Sponsor: Senator Raymond Lesniak
Issue Brief: Ivory Ban
Summary: Prohibits possession, transport, import, export, processing, sale, or shipment of parts and products of certain animal species threatened with extinction; provides a violation would be crime of the third degree and is subject to specified criminal penalties and civil administrative penalties; provides a civil penalty for a person who possess wildlife without obtaining a certificate of possession.
Status: In Senate. Read second time on concurrence in Governor's recommendation on May 9
Introduced: 02/04/2015
Sponsor: Senator Raymond Lesniak
Issue Brief: Wolf in Sheep's Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups
Summary: Prohibits possession and transport of parts and products of certain animals at Port Authority of New York and New Jersey airports and port facilities; provides for related criminal penalties.
Status: In Senate. Read second time on concurrence in Governor's recommendation on May 9
Introduced: 01/22/2015
Sponsor: Assembly Member Vivian Cook
Issue Brief: Interstate Wildlife Violators Compact
Summary: Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; relates to the suspension of hunting and fishing licenses pursuant to the interstate wildlife violator compact.
Status: To Assembly Committee on Codes on May 10
Introduced: 05/04/2016
Sponsor: Representative Patricia Fahy
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Extends certain provisions of law authorizing the hunting of big game in the county of Albany with rifles.
Status: Introduced. To Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation o May 4
Introduced: 05/10/2016
Sponsor: Assembly Member Aileen Gunther, Co-Chair, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: License (General)
Summary: Amends the Tax Law; provides a tax credit for the cost of fishing and hunting licenses issued to volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers.
Status: Introduced. To Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation o May 10
Introduced: 01/15/2015
Sponsor: Senator Carl Marcellino
Issue Brief: Conservation Tax Incentive
Summary: Amends the Tax Law; makes technical corrections to the conservation easement tax credit.
Status: To Assembly Committee on Ways and Means on May 10
Introduced: 01/30/2015
Sponsor: Senator Michael Ranzenhofer, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; protects certain information on hunting, fishing and trapping license and permit applications from disclosure or release outside of the department of environmental conservation.
Status: Passed Senate. To Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation on May 5
Introduced: 02/02/2015
Sponsor: Senator Catharine Young, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Seniors; Veterans
Summary: Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; provides for free hunting, fishing and trapping licenses to residents of the state who are active duty members of the U.S. armed Forces regardless of where such person is stationed.
Status: Passed Senate. To Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation on May 5
Introduced: 02/02/2015
Sponsor: Senator Patty Ritchie, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; directs the commissioner of environmental conservation to create gift cards for hunting and fishing licenses.
Status: Passed Senate. To Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation on May 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: Passed Assembly on May 11
Introduced: 04/10/2015
Sponsor: Senator Joseph Robach
Issue Brief: Enforcement; General
Summary: Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; relates to the illegal taking of deer; provides that each misdemeanor for a violation involving any illegal taking of a deer shall be punishable by imprisonment or by a fine; specifies that persons having previous convictions shall be subject to a fine and shall be subject to a loss of hunting privileges; specifies any offense involving illegal taking of a deer in the presence of a minor shall be subject to doubling of all fines and penalties.
Status: Amended in Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation on May 5
Introduced: 05/04/2016
Sponsor: Senator Neil Breslin
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Extends certain provisions of law authorizing the hunting of big game in the county of Albany with rifles.
Status: Introduced. To Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation on May 4
Introduced: 01/22/2016
Sponsor: Senator Mario Scavello
Issue Brief: Hunting 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. Laid on table on May 11
Introduced: 03/18/2016
Sponsor: Senator Pat Stefano
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 on Second Consideration on May 11
Introduced: 03/21/2016
Sponsor: Representative David Maloney, 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; in fiscal affairs; provides for collection fee for uncollectible checks; in fishing licenses; 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; in special licenses and permits; provides for net permits.
Status: In Senate on second consideration on May 11
Introduced: 01/22/2016
Sponsor: Representative Cale Keable
Issue Brief: Angling Access
Summary: Would provide for the creation of a new position in the fish and wildlife division of the department of environmental management, and would place oversight of freshwater lakes, streams, and ponds, in the fish and wildlife division. This act would take effect upon passage.
Status: Schedule for hearing and/or consideration on May 12
Introduced: 02/12/2016
Sponsor: Representative Cale Keable
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to property; relates to trespassing and actions for possession; prohibits encroachment of open space land and allows for a civil action in superior court to remedy any encroachment.
Status: Schedule for hearing and/or consideration on May 12
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: To House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources on May 5
Introduced: 01/14/2016
Sponsor: Representative David Deen, Member, Vermont Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: 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: Eligible for Governor's desk on May 9
Introduced: 01/15/2016
Sponsor: Representative Mary Sullivan
Issue Brief: Conservation Tax Credit
Summary: Relates to conservation easements; provides that a tax lien shot not affect conservation rights and interests if the lien attaches to the subject property subsequent to the recording of the conservation rights and interests in the municipal land records.
Status: Signed by Governor Peter Shumlin, Vice-Chair, Governors Sportsmen's Caucus (Act No. 84) on May 4
Introduced: 02/26/2016
Sponsor: House Natural Resources and Energy Committee
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to timber harvesting.
Status: House concurred in Senate amendments on May 5
