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 

June 6, 2016
 
 
NORTHEASTERN STATES 
 

Introduced: 02/04/2016
Sponsor: Senator Martin Looney
Issue Brief: Guns (General)
Summary: Concerns carrying a firearm while intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol; lowers the alcohol blood content in which a person is not allowed to carry a loaded firearm; provides that the exact same blood alcohol content is the factor that determines if a person is allowed to hunt; provides the blood alcohol level of a person under a specified age that determines such person is not allowed to hunt.
Status: Signed by Governor Dannel Malloy, Member, Governors Sportsmen's Caucus on June 6

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, and has an arrest warrant issued in a hunting or fishing violation case; provides the license shall be suspended until such fine is paid or otherwise adjudicated in court.
Status: Signed by Governor Dannel Malloy, Member, Governors Sportsmen's Caucus on June 6

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 five specified Sundays on private lands at landowners discretion and on those public lands as may be designated by government agencies. 
Status: Passed Senate. Eligible for Governor's desk on June 7

Introduced: 06/02/2016
Sponsor: Representative Mulrooney, Member, Delaware Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: American System of Conservation Funding
Summary: Generates revenues needed for statewide wildlife conservation and for public access facilities on and the management and maintenance of public wildlife areas owned or managed by the Division of Fish and Wildlife ( "Division" ) by increasing fees for existing hunting and trapping licenses and by establishing a conservation access pass to be purchased by non-hunters for motor vehicles accessing these public lands.
Status: To House Committee on Natural Resources on June 2

Introduced: 01/06/2016
Sponsor: Representative Gene Chandler, Co-Chair, New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Off Highway Vehicles
Summary: Relates to damage to private property and to the authority of federal border patrol agents to make arrests in Coos County; creates a cause of action for a landowner whose land is damaged by pollution, an off-highway recreation vehicle or snowmobile use; grants federal border control agents the authority to make arrests in Coos County.
Status: Ordered enrolled on June 3

Introduced: 01/21/2016
Sponsor: Senator Gary Daniels
Issue Brief: Off Highway Vehicles
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: Ordered enrolled on June 3

Introduced: 02/04/2016
Sponsor: Assemblymember Gregory McGuckin
Issue Brief: Tethering of Dogs
Summary: Regulates tethering and confinement of, and proper shelter for, dogs.
Status: In Assembly Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on June 6

Introduced: 02/22/2016
Sponsor: Assemblymember Bob Andrzejczak
Issue Brief: Tethering of Dogs
Summary: Establishes cruelly restraining a dog as a criminal and civil animal cruelty offense.
Status: In Assembly Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on June 6

Introduced: 02/04/2016
Sponsor: Senator Raymond Lesniak 
Issue Brief: Wolf in Sheeps 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: Signed by Governor. Chapter No. 2016-7 on June 1

Introduced: 02/04/2016
Sponsor: Senator Raymond Lesniak  
Issue Brief: Wolf in Sheeps Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups
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: Signed by Governor. Chapter No. 2016-6 on June 1
 
Introduced: 01/12/2015
Sponsor: Assemblymember Kenneth Zebrowski, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; decreases the amount of alcohol in a person's system necessary to be considered to be intoxicated while hunting.
Status: To Assembly Committee on Rules on June 6
 
Introduced: 02/05/2016
Sponsor: Assemblymember Stephen Hawley, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus   
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary: Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; waives certain fishing and hunting fees for members of the United States armed Forces and the state militia in active service.
Status: Amended in Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation on June 7
 
Introduced: 01/072015
Sponsor: Senator Patrick Gallivan, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus 
Issue Brief: Licenses (General)
Summary: Eliminates the requirement that hunters wear back tags during hunting season in the state.
Status: Passed Senate. To Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation on June 8
 
Introduced: 2/2/2015
Sponsor: Senator Rich Funke, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary: Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; provides an exemption from requirements for fishing licenses for members of the U.S. armed Forces who are on leave from active military duty.
Status: Amended in Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation on June 3
 
Introduced: 04/15/2015
Sponsor: Senator Rich Funke, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus 
Issue Brief: Licenses (General)
Summary: Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; provides hunter safety instructors with a free hunting license in consideration for such services for the next license year beginning after the date the course was completed.
Status: From Senate Committee on Finance to Senate Committee on Rules on June 7
 
Introduced: 03/02/2016
Sponsor: Senator Patty Ritchie, Member, 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: Passed Assembly on June 8
 
Introduced: 5/12/2016
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: To Attorney General for opinion on May 31

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: From Senate Committee on Rules on June 7
 
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 fur-taking licenses; provides for license costs and fees.
Status: Referred to Senate Committee on Appropriations on June 7
 
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: Referred to Senate Committee on Appropriations om June 7


SOUTHEASTERN STATES

 
Introduced: 03/26/2015
Sponsor: Representative Bob Steinberg, Member, North Carolina Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Range Protection
Summary: Establishes a season for taking foxes by trapping in Perquimans county; allows Wildlife Resources Commission shooting ranges in Northampton county.
Status: Re-referred to Senate Committee on Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources on June 7

Introduced: 05/05/2016
Sponsor: Representative Nelson Dollar
Issue Brief: Budget Bills
Summary: Modifies the current operations and capital improvements appropriations act of 2015 and to make other changes in the budget operations of the state.
Status: In House. House failed to concur in Senate committee substitute. To Conference Committee on June 8
 
Introduced: 01/28/2015
Sponsor: Representative Jimmy Bales
Issue Brief: Freshwater Angling Access; General
Summary: Relates to non game fishing devices and gear that are permitted to be used in certain bodies of freshwater; provides that the Department of Natural resources may issue recreational licenses for the use of hoop nets along the Wateree River.
Status: Signed by Governor June 3
 
Introduced: 01/13/2015
Sponsor: Representative Gary Cleary      
Issue Brief: Recreational Fishing and Spatial Planning - Zoning of State and Federal Waters
Summary: Relates to permits required for coastal zone critical areas; allows for certain additional technologies, methodologies, or structures; prohibits the seaward movement of the baseline; eliminates the right of local governments and landowners to petition the administrative law court to move the baseline seaward; narrows certain exceptions and provides for exemptions; authorizes repairs to certain erosion control devices; provides for the approval of certain erosion control devices.
Status: Signed by Governor on June 3
 

South Carolina S 454
Introduced: 02/12/2015
Sponsor: Senator Chip Campsen, Co-Chair, South Carolina Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to hunting and fishing licenses, deer quota program permits and application requirements, access and authorization to utilize deer quota tags, individual deer tags, tag fees, revenues from the sale of privileges, licenses, permits and tags, antlerless deer program quota permits, the protection of game, bag limits, unlawful practices and penalties, the validity of tags and game zones.
Status: Signed by Governor on June 8


MIDWESTERN STATES
 
 
Introduced: 05/31/2015
Sponsor: Senator Don Harmon
Issue Brief: Wolf in Sheeps Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups
Summary: Amends the Wildlife Code; prohibits the sale of bobcat pelts; 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/ third reading deadline established as December 31, 2016 on June 3
 
Introduced: 03/17/2016
Sponsor: Representative Lisa Lyons, Member, Michigan Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Includes hunter pink.
Status: In House. Read third time. Passed House. To Senate on June 2

Introduced: 05/26/2016
Sponsor: Representative Bumstead, Member, Michigan Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Provides for issuance of permits to prevent or control damage, disease or nuisance caused by animals.
Status: Introduced. To House Committee on Natural Resources on May 26
 
Introduced: 02/11/2015
Sponsor: Representative David Hall
Issue Brief: Wolf in Sheeps Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups
Summary: Revises provisions and penalties regarding treatment of companion animals; revises the definition of Companion Animal in the Offense Relating to Domestic Animals Laws; provides a state collaborative effort to assist veterinarians in identifying clients who may use their animals to secure opioids for abuse.
Status: Enrolled on June 6
 
Introduced: 03/10/2016
Sponsor: Senator Troy Balderson, Member, Ohio Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus     
Issue Brief: Enforcement; General 
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: Enrolled on June 8
 
Introduced: 02/02/2015
Sponsor: Representative Steve Vaughan, Member, Oklahoma Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to game and fish, and taking of game fish; provides for the manner of taking of game fish stocked by a State or federal hatchery in a State or privately owned pond; requires fish taken to be in accordance with the method of taking length and bag limits; prohibits leaving the State with more than a certain bag limit, as well as use of certain spearguns; allows for the taking of nongame fish and white bass, as well as for the use of specified motorized boats; prescribes penalties for noncompliance.
Status: Signed by Governor Mary Fallin, Member, Governors Sportsmen's Caucus on June 6

 

WESTERN STATES 


Introduced: 01/19/2016
Sponsor: Representative Dave Talerico, Member, Alaska Legislative Outdoor Heritage Caucus
Issue Brief: Freshwater Angling Access
Summary: Relates to obstruction or interference with a person's free passage on or use of navigable water; relates to water that is navigable in fact in any season, whether in a frozen or liquid state; provides that a person may not obstruct or interfere with the free passage or use by a person of any navigable water unless the obstruction or interference is authorized by law or regulation or by a permit issued by a state agency.
Status: Signed by Governor; Chapter No. 2016-54 on June 2

Introduced: 03/05/2015
Sponsor: Assembly Member Miguel Santiago 
Issue Brief: Hunter Recruitment, Retention, Reactivation
Summary: Amends existing law that regulates the lending of firearms. Limits the exemption of lending a firearm through an authorized dealer to include specified family members. Requires a handgun loaned to be registered to the person loaning the handgun.
Status: Re-referred to Assembly Committee on Public Safety on June 9

Introduced: 02/18/2016
Sponsor: Senator Kevin de Leon
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Requires the Attorney General to maintain information about ammunition transactions and ammunition vendor licenses. Provides dissemination of the name of a person purchasing ammunition if the person has been in the legal system for domestic violence. Extends provisions regarding the delivery or transfer of ownership of ammunition. Revises the term vendor for ammunition sales purposes. Updates the use of the Prohibited Armed Persons File. Updates a prohibition on the sale of ammunition to certain persons.
Status: To Assembly Committee on Public Safety on June 1

 

        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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