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 27, 2016

NORTHEASTNORTHEASTERN STATES
 

Introduced: 03/03/2016
Sponsor: Representative Gerald Brady 
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Amends the Land Protection Act; removes the requirement for the use of state resource area maps in the county's land use planning; requires landowner permission for an individual acting on behalf of the Council or State agencies to enter onto certain property; provides limitations on the use of informatio n and data collected when related to a negotiation between a landowner and the Council which does not result in the permanent protection of land.
Status: Passed House. To Senate on June 28
 
Introduced: 05/03/2016
Sponsor: Representative Stephen Smyk, Member, Delaware Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Firearm Suppressors
Summary: Relates to importers, manufacturers and dealers of "destructive weapons" and licensing and regulation under Federal law; specifies that under existing Delaware law, importers, manufacturers and dealers of destructive weapons are not permitted to deliver them to purchasers in Delaware who are otherwise permitted to own such weapons, such as military or police Forces; permits properly licensed importers, manufacturers and dealers to possess and store destructive weapons in this State.
Status: House Amendment adopted on House floor. Amendment No. HA 1 Passed House. To Senate on June 28
 
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. A conservation access pass would not be required to access certain such public lands to include 
Status: Eligible for Governor's desk on June 29
 
Introduced: 06/24/2015
Sponsor: Senator Karen Peterson
Issue Brief: Wolf in Sheeps Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups; 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 Voting Session on June 29
 
Introduced: 02/08/2016
Sponsor: Assemblyman Vincent Mazzeo
Issue Brief: Interstate Wildlife Violators Compact
Summary: Enters the state in the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact.
Status: Passed Assembly. To Senate on June 27
 
Introduced: 06/23/2016
Sponsor: Senator Nilsa Cruz-Perez
Issue Brief: Hunting with Dogs
Summary: Authorizes use of tracking dog to search for and recover wild deer during prescribed hunting season.
Status: To Senate Committee on Environment and Energy on June 23
 
Introduced: 06/27/2016
Sponsor: Senator Loretta Weinberg
Issue Brief: Microstamping
Summary: Requires newly manufactured handguns to be micro-stamped; establishes handgun database.
Status: Introduced. To Senate Committee on Law and Public Safety on June 27
 
Introduced: 06/27/2016
Sponsor: Senator Bob Smith, Member, New Jersey Angling and Hunting Conservation Caucus
Issue Brief: Conservation Sales Tax
Summary: Revises State's open space, farmland, and historic preservation programs; implements 2014 constitutional dedication of Corporate Business Tax revenues for certain environmental purposes.
Status: Substituted for A4017. Passed Assembly (74-3). To Governor on June 27
 
Introduced: 06/27/2016
Sponsor: Senator Jeff Van Drew, Member, New Jersey Angling and Hunting Conservation Caucus
Issue Brief: Conservation Sales Tax
Summary: Proposes Constitutional amendment authorizing creation of State lottery to fund conservation programs.
Status: Introduced. To Senate Committee on Environment and Energy on June 27
 
Introduced: 01/12/2016
Sponsor: Senator Raymond Lesniak
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Revises the Pet Purchase Protection Act; establishes new requirements for pet dealers and pet shops.
Status: Amended on Senate floor on June 27
 
Introduced: 06/27/2016
Sponsor: Representative Michael Hanna, Member, Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: White-tailed Deer Management - Hunting as a preferred Management Tool
Summary: Amends the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in preliminary provisions; provides for definitions; in Pennsylvania Game Commission; provides for powers and duties of commission and for accountability; in hunting and furtaking; provides for senior hunting license holders; in special licenses and permits; provides for authority to issue permits.
Status: Introduced. To House Committee on Game and Fisheries on June 27

Introduced: 06/22/2016
Sponsor: Representative Maloney, Member, Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: White-tailed Deer Management - Hunting as a preferred Management Tool
Summary: Amends Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in preliminary provisions; provides for definitions, in Pennsylvania Game Commission; provides for powers and duties of commission and for accountability, in hunting and furtaking; provides for senior hunting license holders; in special licenses and permits; provides for authority to issue permits.
Status: Introduced. To House Committee on State Government on June 22
 
Introduced: 06/27/2016
Sponsor: Representative Mark Keller, Member, Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Guns (General)
Summary: Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles; provides for limitation on the regulation of firearms and ammunition.
Status: Introduced. To House Committee on Judiciary on June 27
 
Introduced: 03/18/2016
Sponsor: Senator Pat Stefano
Issue Brief: American System of Conservation Funding
Summary: Relates to game; relates to Pennsylvania Game Commission; provides for powers and duties of commission and for accountability; relates to hunting and furtaking licenses; provides for license costs and fees; makes an editorial change.
Status: To House Committee on Game and Fisheries on June 24
 
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: To House Committee on Game and Fisheries on June 24
 
Introduced: 06/24/2016
Sponsor: Senator Richard Alloway, Member, Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Guns (General)
Summary: Amends Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in preemptions; provides for regulation of firearms and ammunition.
Status: From Senate Committee on Local Government. In Senate. Read first time on June 27


SOUTHEASTSOUTHEASTERN STATES


Introduced: 01/28/2015
Sponsor: Representative Chuck McGrady, Member, North Carolina Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Right to Hunt, Fish, and Harvest Wildlife
Summary: Proposes an amendment to the Constitution to prohibit condemnation of private property except for a public use; provides for the payment of just compensation with right of trial by jury in all condemnation cases; provides for taxpayer protections that establish a state emergency savings reserve fund; reduces the maximum income tax rate; protects the right of the people to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife.
Status: Re-referred to House Committee on Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House for concurrence on June 28
 
Introduced: 03/26/2015
Sponsor: Representative Bob Steinberg, Member, North Carolina Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Range Protection
Summary: Allows Wildlife Resources Commission shooting ranges in Northampton County.
Status: Re-referred to House Committee on Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House for concurrence on June 28
 
Introduced: 04/02/2015
Sponsor: Representative Dan Bishop
Issue Brief: General; Right to Hunt, Fish, and Harvest Wildlife
Summary: Provides conforming changes upon the voters' approval of amendments to the North Carolina Constitution to prohibit condemnation of private property except for a public use and for the payment of just compensation with right of trial by jury in all condemnation cases, to provide for taxpayer protections that establish a state emergency savings reserve fund, and to protect the right of the people to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife.
Status: Re-referred to House Committee on Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House for concurrence on June 30
 
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. Conference Committee Report concurred with on second reading on June 30 

Introduced:  5/25/2016
Sponsor: Representative George Cleveland, Member, North Carolina Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General, Enforcement
Summary: Expresses legislative support for two resolutions adopted by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission pertaining to the United States fish and wildlife service red wolf reintroduction program; prohibits hunting from the right-of-ways of public roads in Buncombe County.
Status: Withdrawn from House Committee on Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House on June 30

Introduced: 03/03/2015
Sponsor: Senator Norman Sanderson
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Establishes a season for trapping foxes in Carteret county; establishes that there is an open season for taking foxes by trapping during the trapping season set by the Wildlife Resources Commission each year, with no tagging requirements; clarifies that no bag limit applies to foxes taken; establishes that the Commission shall provide for the sale of foxes taken lawfully pursuant to this act, except that live foxes taken may not be bought or sold.
Status: In Senate. Placed on Calendar for July 1 on June 30
 
Introduced: 03/30/2015
Sponsor: Senator Norman Sanderson
Issue Brief: Modern Restraining Animal Traps
Summary: Amends the trapping law relating to conibear type traps.
Status: Re-referred to House Committee on Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House on June 23
 
Introduced: 04/28/2016
Sponsor: Senator Brent Jackson, Member, North Carolina Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Management Authority over Captive Cervids; Feral Hogs
Summary: Provides further regulatory relief to the agricultural community; relates to embargo of bedding; establishes the Agricultural Emergency Response Act which authorizes the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to assist agricultural operations and landowners in the preparedness for and recovery from agricultural emergencies; relates to aerial management of feral swine; establishes the Animal Shelter Support Fund; provides exemptions for forest management plans.
Status: In Senate. Placed on Calendar for July 1 on June 30
 
Introduced: 05/23/2016
Sponsor: Senator Jane Smith
Issue Brief: Range Protection
Summary: Allows Wildlife Resources Commission shooting ranges in Northampton county.
Status: Became law upon ratification. Session Law Number 2016-40 on June 27
 
Introduced: 06/11/2016
Sponsor: Senator Bill Cole
Issue Brief: Budget Bills
Summary: Concerns the budget Bill.
Status: Line item vetoed by Governor. Act No. 3 on June 24
 
Introduced: 06/14/2016
Sponsor: Senator Bill Cole
Issue Brief: Management Authority over Captive Cervids
Summary: Authorizes miscellaneous agencies and boards to promulgate legislative rules.
Status: Signed by Governor. Act No. 8 on June 24


MIDWESTMIDWESTERN STATES
 

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 stamp 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 Governor on June 24
 
Introduced: 02/11/2016
Sponsor: Representative Jim Durkin, Member, Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Ammunition Restrictions (non-lead); Guns (General)
Summary: Amends the Criminal Code of 2012; creates the offense of firearms trafficking; provides that a person commits the offense when he or she has not been issued a currently valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card and knowingly brings, or causes to be brought, into the State, a firearm or firearm ammunition, or both, for the purpose of sale, delivery, or transfer to any other person or with the intent to sell, deliver, or transfer the firearm or firearm ammunition to any other person.
Status: To Governor on June 27
 
Introduced: 02/11/2016
Sponsor: Representative Kelly Cassidy, Member, Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Guns (General)
Summary: Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act; provides that the Department of State Police shall provide notice of the revocation of a person's Firearm Owner's Identification Card for being subject to an existing order of protection to all law enforcement agencies with jurisdiction to assist with the seizure of the person's Firearm Owner's Identification Card.
Status: To Governor on June 27


WESTWESTERN STATES 


Introduced: 01/20/2015
Sponsor: Representative Cathy Tilton, Member, Alaska Legislative Outdoor Heritage Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to sport fishing services, salt water sport fishing operators and salt water sport fishing guides; relates to sports fishing licenses; provides 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 in use to provide sport fishing services; provides for salt water fishing guide licensing; includes a combined operator and guide license.
Status: Signed by Governor, Chapter No. 2016-70, on June 22

Sponsor: Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom
Issue Brief: Ammunition Restrictions (non-lead); Standard Capacity Magazines
Summary: Prohibits possession of large-capacity ammunition magazines. Requires their disposal by sale to dealer, destruction, or removal from state. Requires most individuals to pass background check and obtain Department of Justice (DOJ) authorization to purchase ammunition. Requires most ammunition sales be made through licensed ammunition vendors and reported to DOJ. Requires lost or stolen firearms and ammunition be reported to law enforcement.
 
Introduced: 02/04/2016
Sponsor: Assemblymember Jim Wood
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Requires the Department of Fish and Wildlife to meet with individual federally recognized Indian tribes in the State to discuss elk-related issues for elk located within the territory of the individual tribe. Requires the Department to work collaboratively, and in good faith, with tribe to identify possible science-based solutions.
Status: From Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water: Do not pass to Committee on Appropriations on June 28
 
Introduced: 02/09/2016
Sponsor: Assembly Member James Gallagher, Member, California Outdoor Sporting Caucus
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary: Requires the Department of Fish and Wildlife to reduce the fee required to obtain lifetime hunting and sport fishing licenses by a specified percentage for a person who is a veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States, was honorably discharged, and is a resident of the State.
Status: From Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water: Do pass to Committee on Appropriations on June 28
 
Introduced: 02/17/2016
Sponsor: Assemblymember Chris Holden
Issue Brief: Technology and the Fair Chase Ethic
Summary: Makes it unlawful for a person to launch, land, or operate an unmanned aircraft system for specified managed lands or waters, except as authorized, or unless exempted. Requires the consideration certain factors when when reviewing a request for use of such system. Prohibits the use of such system to take, or assist in the take of fish or wildlife including scouting, and may not be used to pursue, driver, or herd any bird or mammal. Provides exceptions.
Status: From Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water: Do pass as amended to Committee on Appropriations on June 28
 
Introduced: 02/24/2015
Sponsor: Senator Tom Berryhill, Member, California Outdoor Sporting Caucus
Issue Brief: Freshwater Angling Access; Licenses (General); Hunter Recruitment, Retention, Reactivation
Summary: Authorizes a charitable organization or nonprofit organization to possess fish taken under a sport fishing license in excess of a possession limit when such organizations were given the fish as donations an can provide documentation to that effect and the entities retain any tag required to be fixed to a fish in a prescribed manner. Authorizes the donor to possess fish under a license in excess of limits if the donor complies with the same requirements. Relates to junior licenses and short term licenses.
Status: From Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife: Do pass to Committee on Appropriations on June 28
 
Introduced: 01/15/2016
Sponsor: Senator Isadore Hall
Issue Brief: Modern Sporting Rifle
Summary: Revises the definition of assault weapon to mean a semiautomatic centerfire rifle, or a semiautomatic pistol that does not have a fixed magazine but has any one of specified attributes. Exempts persons who possessed such weapons prior to a specified date from punishment. Requires persons possessing certain assault weapons prior to a specified date to register the firearm with the Department of Justice. Authorizes a related fee increase. Requires registrations to be done over the Internet with a related fee.
Status: In Assembly. Read third time. Passed Assembly. To enrollment on June 30
 
Introduced: 01/21/2016
Sponsor: Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson
Issue Brief: Guns (General)
Summary: Requires every person to report the theft or loss of a firearm he or she owns or possesses to a local law enforcement agency in the jurisdiction in which the theft or loss occurred within a specified number of days of the time he or she knew or reasonably should have known that the firearm had been stolen or lost, and requires every person who has made such report to notify the local law enforcement agency if the firearm is recovered. Provides for infractions and misdemeanors for violations.
Status: In Senate. Senate concurred in Assembly amendments. To enrollment on June 30
 
Introduced: 02/17/2016
Sponsor: Representative Fran Pavley
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Expands the composition of the Wildlife Conservation Board to include public members appointed to serve specified terms each. Requires member appointments by the Speaker of the Assembly and the Senate Committee on Rules.
Status: From Assembly Committee on Appropriations: Do pass as amended on June 29
 
Introduced: 02/18/2016
Sponsor: Senator Kevin de Leon
Issue Brief: Ammunition Restrictions; Guns (General)
Summary: Provides procedures upon the passage of a ballot measure. 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. Relates to provisions regarding the delivery or transfer of ammunition, ammunition sales vendors, the use of the Prohibited Armed Persons File, and the sale of ammunition to prohibited persons.
Status: In Senate. Senate concurred in Assembly amendments. To enrollment on June 30
 
Introduced: 02/19/2016
Sponsor: Senator Loni Hancock
Issue Brief: Ammunition Restrictions; Standard Capacity Magazines
Summary: Amends existing law which prohibits the sale, gift, and loan of a large-capacity magazine to make a violation an infraction with graduated fines for violations. Requires a person in lawful possession of such magazine prior to a specified date, to dispose of the magazine. Provides exceptions, including allowing licensed gunsmiths and honorable sworn peace officers to possess such magazine.
Status: In Assembly. Read third time. Passed Assembly. To Enrollment on June 30
 


        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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