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 

July 18, 2016


NORTHEASTNORTHEASTERN STATES

 
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 landowner discretion and on those public lands as may be designated by government agencies.
Status: Signed by Governor. Chapter Number 320 on July 19
 
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: From Senate Committee on Environment and Energy on July 14
 
Introduced: 03/10/2016
Sponsor: Senator Stephen Sweeney, Member, New Jersey Angling and Hunting Conservation Caucus 
Issue Brief: Interstate Wildlife Violators Compact
Summary: Enters New Jersey in the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact.
Status: To Senate Committee on Budget and Appropriations on July 14
 
Introduced: 04/01/2015
Sponsor: Assemblymember Fred Thiele
Issue Brief: White-tailed Deer Management - Hunting as a preferred Management Tool
Summary: Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; extends the time period for the taking of deer in the county of Suffolk from December thirty-first until March thirty-first.
Status: Signed by Governor. Chapter No. 104 on July 21
 
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: To Governor on July 13
 
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: To Governor on July 13
 
Introduced: 06/24/2016
Sponsor: Senator Richard Alloway, Member, Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Firearms Preemption
Summary: Amends Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in preemptions; provides for regulation of firearms and ammunition.
Status: In Senate. Laid on table on July 13
 
Introduced: 10/07/2015
Sponsor: Representative Lee James
Issue Brief: American System of Conservation Funding
Summary: Establishes the Heritage Area Program to identify, protect, enhance and promote the historic, recreational, natural, cultural and scenic resources of this Commonwealth; stimulates community revitalization and economic development through regional heritage conservation, recreation, tourism and partnerships; repeals provisions in The Fiscal Code relating to heritage areas.
Status: 
Signed by Governor Tom Wolf, Member, Governors Sportsmen's Caucus, on July 13


Introduced: 11/16/2015
Sponsor: Representative David Millard
Issue Brief: Off Highway Vehicles
Summary: Relates to snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles; provides for operation by persons under age sixteen and for mufflers and noise control.
Status: In Senate. Laid on table on July 13


SOUTHEASTSOUTHEASTERN STATES


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: 
Signed by Governor Pat McCrory, Member, Governors Sportsmen's Caucus. Session Law Number 2016-94 on July 14



MIDWESTMIDWESTERN STATES
 

Introduced: 01/27/2016
Sponsor: Representative Thomas Bennett
Issue Brief: White-tailed Deer Management - Hunting as a preferred Management Tool
Summary: Amends the Wildlife Code; provides that it shall be unlawful to take or possess deer in the State, except if a person has complied with certain requirements
Status: Signed by Governor. Public Act No. 528 on July 8
 
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; provides that the limits on the number and size of fish a person may take in a day do not apply to a person fishing in waters wholly within his or her private property.
Status: Signed by Governor. Public Act No. 532 on July 8
 
Introduced: 02/18/2016
Sponsor: Representative Ed McBroom, Member, Michigan Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: American System of Conservation Funding
Summary: Urges the United States Congress to enact legislation that will enhance hunting, fishing, recreational shooting, and other outdoor recreational opportunities for sportsmen and women nationwide.
Status: To Senate Committee on Outdoor Recreation and Tourism on April 13


WESTWESTERN STATES 


Introduced: 05/27/2016
Sponsor: House Finance Committee
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to the fisheries business tax and fishery resource landing tax; removes the minimum and maximum restrictions on the annual base fee for the reissuance or renewal of an entry permit or an interim-use permit; relates to refunds of the fisheries business tax and the fishery resource landing tax to local governments.
Status: Special Session of the 29th Legislature- 5th Special Session Bill on July 13
 
(2017) Nevada BDR 107
Introduced: 07/12/2016
Sponsor: Office of Parks
Issue Brief: Modern Restraining Animal Traps
Summary: Requires the registration of traps, snares or similar devices used in the taking of wild mammals.
Status: Filed on July 12
 
(2017) Nevada BDR 108
Introduced: 07/12/2016
Sponsor: Office of Parks
Issue Brief: Modern Restraining Animal Traps
Summary: Makes various changes relating to trapping.
Status: Filed on July 12


        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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