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 

May 16, 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 cats and dogs that are neglected or treated cruelly; permits the use of animal advocates in certain legal proceedings relating to neglected or cruelly treated animals; relates to animal control officers, veterinarians and peace officers; requires the Department of Agriculture to maintain a list of attorneys with knowledge of animal issues, the legal system, and a list of law schools that have student with interest in animal issues and the legal system.
Status: To Governor on May 16 
 
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: Signed by Governor (Public Act No. 16-27) on May 17
 
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 Senate Committee on Natural resources and Environment on May 19
 
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 18
 
Introduced: 06/24/2015
Sponsor: Senator Karen Peterson
Issue Brief: Ivory Ban
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: In House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment on May 18
 
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: Enrolled Bill Amendment on May 13
 
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: Failed to pass Senate on May 12  
 
Introduced: 05/12/2016
Sponsor: Representative Erik Peterson
Issue Brief: Guns
Summary: Establishes reasonableness standard for persons lawfully transporting firearm who deviate from course of travel.
Status: Introduced. To Assembly Committee on Law and Public Safety on May 12
 
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: From Assembly Committee on Codes on May 17
 
Introduced: 06/11/2015
Sponsor: Assembly Member David Weprin  
Issue Brief: Knife Definitions 
Summary: Amends the Penal Law; includes machetes within the definition of a deadly weapon.
Status: Passed Assembly. To Senate on May 11  
 
Introduced: 12/16/2015
Sponsor: Assembly Member Carrie Woerner
Issue Brief: License (General)
Summary: Relates to fees charged for certain hunting, fishing and trapping licenses.
Status: Amended in Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation on May 17
 
Introduced: 03/03/2016
Sponsor: Assembly Member Amy Paulin
Issue Brief: Guns
Summary: Establishes a waiting period before a firearm, shotgun or rifle may be delivered to a person.
Status: Amended in Assembly Committee on Codes on May 16   
 
Introduced: 05/16/2016
Sponsor: Assembly Member Aileen Gunther, Co-Chair, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General  
Summary: Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; authorizes minors who are hunting to wear solid or patterned pink material which shall be visible from all directions.
Status: Introduced. To Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation on May 16
 
Introduced: 01/07/2016
Sponsor: Senator Betty Little  
Issue Brief: Conservation Tax Incentives  
Summary: Establishes a forestry stewardship and habitat conservation credit for personal income and business franchise taxes.
Status: To Assembly Committee on Finance o May 17
 
Introduced: 02/20/2015
Sponsor: Senator Kathleen Marchione, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: License (General)
Summary: Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; relates to fees charged for certain hunting, fishing and trapping licenses; relates to sportsman education instructors.
Status: Amended in Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation on May 13
 
Introduced: 01/13/2016
Sponsor: Senator Michael Ranzenhofer, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General     
Summary: Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; relates to permits for non-ambulatory persons to possess loaded firearms in motor vehicles; defines non-ambulatory as being unable to move about in a field, wood or other hunting arena without mechanical assistance.
Status: Amended in Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation on May 12    
 
Introduced: 05/12/2016
Sponsor: Senator Catharine Young
Issue Brief: Guns 
Summary: Amends the Penal Law; requires a written determination to be made, on each application for issuance or renewal of a license to carry or possess a pistol or revolver, within a specified number of days of receipt; requires refund of all fees submitted with such application if a determination is not made in a timely manner.
Status: Introduced. To Senate Committee on Codes on May 12     
 
Introduced: 05/12/2016
Sponsor: Senator Robert Ortt
Issue Brief: Right to Hunt, Fish and Harvest Wildlife
Summary: Relates to the right to hunt, trap and fish; provides for regulation by the State.
Status: Introduced. To Senate Committee on Judiciary on May 12     
 
Introduced: 05/12/2016
Sponsor: Senator Robert Ortt
Issue Brief: White-tailed Deer Management - Hunting as a preferred Management Tool
Summary: Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; provides that for the issuance of deer management permits for certain disabled veterans, such veterans shall only have to provide proof of service-related disability once and every year thereafter, provide proof of an expired permit.
Status: Introduced. To Senate Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs on May 12
 
Introduced: 05/12/2016
Sponsor: Senator Robert Ortt
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary: Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; requires the department to review laws and policies pertaining to free or reduced cost hunting and fishing licenses.
Status: Introduced. To Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation on May 12
 
Introduced: 11/30/2015
Sponsor: Representative Barry Joswiak
Issue Brief: Hunting with Dogs
Summary: Amends the Game Statutes, in hunting and furtaking; provides for dogs pursuing, injuring or killing big game; provides that shall be unlawful to make use of a leashed blood-tracking dog to track a white-tailed deer, bear or elk in an attempt to recover an animal which has been legally killed or wounded during any open season for such animals.
Status: In Senate on Third Consideration on Mau 18
 
Introduced: 05/16/2015
Sponsor: Representative Michael Hanna, Member, Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus 
Issue Brief: Modern Restraining Animal Traps
Summary: Amends Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in hunting and furtaking; provides for unlawful acts concerning taking of furbearers.
Status: Introduced. To House Committee on Game and Fisheries on May 16
 
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. Removed from table on May 16
 
Introduced: 03/21/2016
Sponsor: Representative David Maloney, Member, Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus  
Issue Brief: Apprentice Hunting License   
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. Removed from table on May 16
 
Introduced: 01/22/2016
Sponsor: Representative Cale Keable
Issue Brief: Fresh Water 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: In House Committee on Finance: Committee recommends measure to be held for further study on May 12
 
Introduced: 02/26/2016
Sponsor: House Natural Resources and Energy Committee
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to timber harvesting.
Status: Eligible for Governor's desk on May 12  


SOUTHEASTERN STATES


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: Signed by Governor Phil Bryant, Co-Chair, Governors Sportsmen's Caucus on May 17
 
Introduced: 04/15/2016
Sponsor: Representative Chris Millis
Issue Brief: Enforcement
Summary: Provides further regulatory relief to the citizens of North Carolina by providing for various administrative reforms; eliminates certain unnecessary or outdated statutes and regulations; modernizes or simplifies cumbersome or outdated regulations; makes various other statutory changes; relates to criminal history checks of applicants for licensure; establishes that the refusal to consent to a criminal history record check may constitute grounds for the Board to deny licensure to an applicant.
Status: Re-referred to Senate Committee on Commerce on May 18 
 
Introduced: 05/11/2016
Sponsor: Representative Pricey Harrison 
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Enacts the Pollinator Protection Act of 2016.
Status: Introduced. To House Committee on Rules, Calendar and Operation of the House on May 11
 
Introduced: 05/11/2016
Sponsor: Representative William Richardson  
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Provides for a referendum to limit marine net fishing.
Status: Re-referred to House Committee on Rules, Calendar and Operation of the House on May 12
 
Introduced: 05/16/2016
Sponsor: Representative Brian Turner, Member, North Carolina Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus  
Issue Brief: Enforcement
Summary: Prohibits hunting from the right-of-ways of public roads in Buncombe County.
Status: Introduced. To House Committee on Wildlife Resources on May 16  
 
Introduced: 01/26/2016
Sponsor: Representative Eric Bedingfield
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Provides that the land owned and managed by the Conestee Foundation and known as Lake Conestee Nature Park is declared to be a wildlife sanctuary.
Status: To Governor on May 17
 
Introduced:  1/20/2016
Sponsor:  Delegate Brian Kurcaba
Issue Brief:  Range Protection  
Summary:  Exempts activity at indoor shooting ranges from the prohibition of shooting or discharging a firearm within a specified distance of any public road, church, school or dwelling house and provides for penalties; amends the definition of shooting range; exempts activity at indoor ranges from criminal penalties for violations; provides for limited nuisance actions for noise under certain circumstances.
Status: Act No. 250 on May 13
 
Introduced: 01/29/2016
Sponsor: Delegate Scott Cadle     
Issue Brief: General; Exotic Invasive Species 
Summary: Relates to making it unlawful to take, give, or receive, or agree to take, give, or receive a fish, water animal or other aquatic organism from state waters to stock a commercial fishing preserve or other privately owned pond for commercial purposes; provides exceptions for the release of certain species by lawful methods or for noncommercial purposes; provides that a stocking permit is not required under certain circumstances; prohibits stocking permits for certain species and provides for exceptions.
Status: Act No. 171 on May 13
 
Introduced: 02/01/2016
Sponsor: Delegate William Hamilton, Member, West Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus       
Issue Brief: Enforcement; Hunting with Dogs
Summary: Relates to bear hunting and baiting; requires transported bear parts be tagged; revises provisions relating to bear damaging or destroying property; clarifies the issuance of depredation permits, recommendations and reports; provides bear damage claim limit for property used to feed or bait wildlife; clarifies that claims be made against personal insurance; requires payments from bear damage fund be reduced by insurance payments; provides for and decreases certain criminal penalties and fines.
Status: Act No. 169 on May 13
 
Introduced: 02/16/2016
Sponsor: Delegate Randy Smith, Member, West Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus 
Issue Brief: Enforcement
Summary: Relates to replacement costs for native brook trout taken illegally; relates to forfeiture by persons causing injury or death of game or protected species of animals; relates to additional replacement costs for antlered deer; relates to forfeiture procedures and costs; provides that any person who is convicted of violating a criminal law of this state that results in the injury or death of game or a protected species of animal shall forfeit the cost of replacing the game or protected species of animal.
Status: Act No. 168 on May 13 
 
Introduced: 02/22/2016
Sponsor: Delegate Bill Anderson
Issue Brief: Captive Cervid
Summary: Relates to captive cervid; prohibits a person from releasing or permitting the release of any captive cervids from a certain farming facility; provides that a person may not cause the entry or introduction of wild cervids into a captive cervid farming facility or cease operation of or abandon a captive cervid farming facility without complying with certain requirements; provides for criminal penalties.
Status: Act No. 7 on March 24 
 
Introduced: 01/13/2016
Sponsor: Senator Robert Williams     
Issue Brief: General  
Summary: Relates to posted land; allows boundaries to be posted with certain clearly visible paint markings; relates to hunting or trespassing; provides that the owner, lessee or other person entitled to possession may mark the posted land so as to indicate the territory in which hunting, trapping or fishing is prohibited; provides for criminal penalties for noncompliance; defines posted land; provides exceptions for entry by state or local government authorities and public utilities.
Status: Act No. 59 on May 13 
 
Introduced: 01/13/2016
Sponsor: Senator Mark Maynard     
Issue Brief: General  
Summary: Authorizes the Department of Commerce to promulgate legislative and administrative rules; authorizes certain of the agencies to promulgate certain legislative rules; relates to natural resources, labor, miners' health and safety and training, tourism, WorkForce West Virginia, the Commercial Whitewater Advisory Board, employment security, forestry, and the Minimum Wage Rate Board.
Status: Act No. 153 on May 13 
 
Introduced: 01/15/2016
Sponsor: Senator Craig Blair
Issue Brief: America System of Conservation Funding; License (General)
Summary: Relates to fishing licenses; defines Class O, Class OO resident and nonresident fishing stamps; defines a Class L fishing license as a resident fishing license entitling the licensee to fish for all legal fish except trout and to take frogs in all counties of the state for five consecutive calendar dates; provides that a resident hunter, angler, or trapper licensed to hunt, fish, or trap shall also have a Class CS conservation stamp; provides for the administration of revenues collected.
Status: Act No. 170 on May 13 
 
Introduced: 01/20/2016
Sponsor: Senator Robert Karnes, Member, West Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus      
Issue Brief: General; Captive Cervid
Summary: Relates to the classification of certain species; identifies coyotes as fur-bearing animals; identifies the woodchuck as a game animal; identifies coyote, porcupine and all species of cervids as wild animals; provides for an exception; provides for definitions relating to the classification of game animals, game birds, game fish, and wild animals; provides for certain other related definitions.
Status: Act No. 166 on May 13 


MIDWESTERN STATES


Introduced: 01/29/2015
Sponsor: Representative Brandon Phelps, Member, Illinois Sportsmen's Caucus Co-Chair; Vice President, National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses (NASC) Executive Council
Issue Brief: Firearm Suppressors
Summary: Amends the Wildlife Code; removes a prohibition on the use of a silencer or other device to muffle or mute the sound of the explosion or report resulting from the firing of any gun; provides that no person shall, carry, possess, transport or use a silencer, suppressor or other device to muffle or mute the sound of the explosion or report resulting from the firing of any gun for the taking of game, unless such silencer, suppressor, or device is in compliance with the National Firearms Act; any game animal.
Status: In House. Final passage deadline extended to May 27
 
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: In Senate. Placed on Calendar Order Third Reading on May 18
 
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 Senate. Placed on Calendar Order Third Reading on May 18
 
Introduced: 03/30/2016
Sponsor: Representative Michael Zalewski, Member, Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General 
Summary: Urges the Department of Natural Resources to develop protections as needed for all native gar species to ensure the long term viability of the shortnose gar, the longnose gar, the spotted gar, and the alligator gar, with particular protections developed for alligator gar; urges the Department of Natural Resources to apply these protections as needed and include site specific size and creel limits based on the size of the reproductively mature gar to protect brood stock from premature harvest.
Status: To Senate Committee on Assignments on May 18
 
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; provides that it shall be unlawful for any person to trap bobcat in the State at any time.
Status: In Senate. Rule 2-10 Committee/ 3rd Reading deadline established as May 27
 
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. Placed on Short Debate Calendar Third Reading on May 18
 
Introduced: 02/19/2016
Sponsor: Senator Bill Brady, Member, Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Concealed Carry While Hunting
Summary: Amends the Wildlife Code; provides that persons licensed to possess a concealed firearm under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act and current or retired police officers authorized by law to possess a concealed firearm shall be exempt from provisions of the Code prohibiting possession of those firearms.
Status: In Senate. Rule 2-10 Committee/ 3rd Reading deadline established as May 27
 
Introduced: 02/26/2016
Sponsor: Representative Stuart Bishop
Issue Brief: General  
Summary: Recreates the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
Status: To Governor on May 19 
 
Introduced: 03/14/2016
Sponsor: Representative Major Thibaut, Member, Louisiana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus  
Issue Brief: Exotic Invasive Species
Summary: Creates the Feral Hog Management Advisory Task Force in the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries; provides for membership.
Status: Conference Committee reported adopted by Senate on May 17
 
Introduced: 05/03/2016
Sponsor: Representative Steve Carter
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Urges and requests the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the Department of Natural Resources to study the use of water from natural and scenic rivers for certain uses.
Status: Passed Senate. To House for concurrence on May 19 
 
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 House on May 19
 
Introduced: 03/10/2016
Sponsor: Representative Tom Hackbarth, Member, Minnesota Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus      
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to game and fish; provides for northern pike management; requires rulemaking; requires a report.
Status: Indefinitely postponed on May 17
 
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 natural resources; modifies off-road vehicle provisions; modifies game and fish penalty and enforcement provisions; modifies fees and requirements to take game and fish; modifies commissioner's duties; provides for elk management; requires rulemaking; provides criminal penalties; prohibits adoption of rules limiting use of lead shot; appropriates money.
Status: To Senate Committee on Finance on May 17
 
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: Indefinitely postponed on May 16
 
Introduced: 03/14/2016
Sponsor: Representative Tom Hackbarth, Member, Minnesota Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus      
Issue Brief: Lead Ammunition and Fishing Tackle Bans
Summary: Relates to game and fish; prohibits adoption of rules limiting use of lead shot.
Status: Passed House. To Senate on May 18
 
Introduced: 03/29/2016
Sponsor: Representative Paul Torkelson
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to capital investment; authorizes spending to acquire and better public land and buildings and other improvements of a capital nature with certain conditions; modifies previous appropriations; establishes new programs and modifying existing programs; authorizes the sale and issuance of state bonds; appropriates money.
Status: Re-referred to House Committee on Ways and Means on May 18
 
Introduced: 02/20/2016
Sponsor: Tom Saxhaug, Co-Chair, Minnesota Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus       
Issue Brief: License (General)
Summary: Relates to game and fish; requires online applications for hunting and fishing licenses to provide for organ donation and how to register as a donor; relates to electronic licensing system data.
Status: Signed by Governor on May 19 
 
Introduced: 03/10/2016
Sponsor: Senator Tom Saxhaug, Co-Chair, Minnesota Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus       
Issue Brief: American System of Conservation Funding;Budget Bills
Summary: Relates to natural resources; appropriates money from outdoor heritage fund; modifies evaluation provisions; modifies prior appropriations.
Status: To Conference Committee on May 10   
 
Introduced: 03/14/2016
Sponsor: Senator Matt Schmit Member, Minnesota Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus   
Issue Brief: Enforcement
Summary: Relates to game and fish; modifies provisions for taking and feeding wild animals.
Status: House Rule 1.21, placed on calendar for the day of May 19
 
Introduced: 03/16/2016
Sponsor: Senator Kari Dziedzic       
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: To Conference Committee on May 16  
 
Introduced: 04/06/2016
Sponsor: Senator Richard Cohen
Issue Brief: American System of Conservation Funding
Summary: Relates to natural resources; modifies prior clean water fund appropriations; appropriates money.
Status: To House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance on May 16
 
Introduced: 03/10/2016
Sponsor: Senator Troy Balderson, Member, Ohio Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus        
Issue Brief: General; Enforcement
Summary: Revises specified laws relating to natural resources; provides clarifying changes; amends certain definitions; allows for the appointment of natural resource officers for purposes of custodial or patrol service on lands and waters owned, controlled, maintained, or administered by the department; provides for duties and jurisdiction of natural resource officers; creates within the department the office of real estate and land management; provides for the duties of the office.
Status: To House Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on May 17
 
Introduced: 04/12/2016
Sponsor: Senator Scott Oelslager, Member, Ohio Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Makes capital appropriations and changes to the law governing capital projects for a specified biennium.
Status: Enrolled on May 13
 
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: Committee reported adopted by House on May 19
 
Introduced: 02/01/2016
Sponsor: Senator Nathan Dahm   
Issue Brief: Exotic Invasive Species 
Summary: Relates to the Feral Swine Control Act; adds certain hunting license requirements; expands authorization to removing feral swine at night; eliminates permit requirement to remove feral swine at night; authorizes the use of motor-driven land conveyance headlights and night vision equipment when removing feral swine; permits the use of lights and motor-driven conveyance to remove feral swine; relates to special permit to kill feral swine.
Status: To Governor on May 17 


WESTERN STATES 


Introduced: 01/14/2016
Sponsor: Representative Frank Pratt, Member, Arizona Legislators for Wildlife      
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary: Allows the spouse of an armed forces member who is stationed in the State on active duty or for either permanent or temporary duty to purchase a resident license permitting the taking of wildlife.
Status: Signed by Governor on May 11
 
Introduced: 01/14/2016
Sponsor: Representative Kelly Townsend, Member, Arizona Legislators for Wildlife
Issue Brief: Exotic Invasive Species
Summary: Prohibits the harassment, capture, slaughter and other like actions against the Salt River horse herd; authorizes the State to enter into an agreement with a private entity to address issues involving the herd; specifies that Salt River horses are not stray animals as defined in statute, and are not subject to livestock seizure and holding as defined in statute.
Status: Signed by Governor on May 11
 
Introduced: 01/21/2016
Sponsor: Senator Gail Griffin, Member, Arizona Legislators for Wildlife
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Requires the Game and Fish Commission to attempt to enter into a MOU with the Game and Fish Department regarding the Mexican gray wolf that stipulates the release, translocation or cross-fostering of wolves may not occur within three miles of state trust or private land or without a DNA profile; requires a report that includes specified information, including the number of wolves that are supplemented with feed and the cost of supplementation and all human and domestic animal incidents that involve a wolf.
Status: Signed by Governor on May 11
 
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: In Assembly. Read third time. Passed Assembly. To Senate on May 19 
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sponsors in part TRACKING THE CAPITOLS

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

For additional information on legislation included in this report please contact the appropriate representative: 
 
Midwestern States Director Chris Horton, at 501.865.1475, or email chris@sportsmenslink.org
Northeastern States Director Brent Miller, at 202.543.6850 x 13, or email brent@sportsmenslink.org
Southeastern States Manager Bee Frederick, at 334.593.6988, or email bee@sportsmenslink.org
Western States Director Andy Treharne, at 303.789.7589, or email andy@sportsmenslink.org


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