Introduced: 01/28/2015
Sponsor: Senator Sam McCann, Member, Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Amends the Wildlife Code; removes the prohibition on taking bobcats in the State; provides that before any person may lawfully hunt or trap a bobcat, he or she shall first obtain a specified permit; provides the fee for such permit shall not exceed a specified sum; allows the Department of Natural Resources to limit the number of permits that are made available each season.
Status: Re-referred to Assignments Committee on July 31
Introduced: 01/28/2015
Sponsor: Senator Gary Forby, Member, Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Cacus
Issue Brief: Firearm Suppressors
Summary: Removes the prohibition on the use of a silencer or other device to muffle or mute the sound of the explosion from the firing of any gun; provides that a person commits the offense or unlawful use of weapons, possess any device or attachment of any kind for use in silencing any firearm, or unlawful sale or delivery of firearms when the person knowingly transfers or gives a suppressor or silencer to a person not authorized to possess the suppressor or silencer; provides that a violation is a Class 3 felony.
Status: Re-referred to Assignments Committee on July 31
Introduced:02/05/2015
Sponsor: Senator William Haine, Member, Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Cacus
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.
Status: Re-referred to Assignments Committee on July 31
Illinois S 1371
Introduced: 02/18/2015
Sponsor: Senator Julie Morrison
Issue Brief:Technology and the Fair Chase Ethic
Summary: Amends the Wildlife Code; defines the term, Drone; prohibits the use of a manned or unmanned vehicle to take, pursue, or intentionally harass or disturb wild birds or mammals; makes it unlawful to hunt on property where wildlife were spotted using manned or unmanned aircraft, including drones, unless 24 hours have passed since the aircraft has landed; provides that the use of a drone as a hunting device constitutes a public nuisance, making the drone subject to confiscation.
Status: Re-referred to Assignments Committee on July 31
Introduced: 02/20/2015
Sponsor: Senator Chapin Rose, Member, Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Crossbows
Summary: Amends the Wildlife Code; provides that a person who is 16 years old or younger may use a crossbow.
Status: Re-referred to Assignments Committee on July 31
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: Re-referred to Assignments Committee on July 31
Introduced: 02/03/2016
Sponsor: Assemblyman Jay Obernolte
Issue Brief: Range Protection
Summary: Requires regulations governing shooting range hazardous waste. Excludes from the definition of the term disposal the onsite movement of soil at an active outdoor sport shooting range if this movement is done to facilitate the removal and recycling of spent ammunition materials existing on the site as a result of the normal use of the shooting range, the activities at the range are consistent with a specified manual, and the residual soil is replaced within the area from which was originally removed.
Status: In Senate. Read second time. To third reading on August 2
Introduced: 02/04/2016
Sponsor: Assemblyman 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: In Senate Committee on Appropriations. Not heard on August 1
Introduced: 02/09/2016
Sponsor: Assemblyman 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: In Senate Committee on Appropriations: To Suspense File on August 1
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: In Senate. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Committee on Appropriations on August 2
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: In Assembly Committee on Appropriation: To Suspense File on August 3
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. Requires the public members appointed to the board to have demonstrated interest and expertise in land acquisition for conservation purposes.
Status: In Assembly. Read third time and amended. To third reading on August 4
Montana 2 2016 (Initiative I-177)
Introduced: 06/30/2016
Issue Brief: Modern Restraining Animal Traps
Summary: Provides for a ballot question regarding a prohibition against the use of traps and snares for animals on certain public lands and establishing misdemeanor criminal penalties for violations.
Introduced: 07/21/2016
Sponsor: Representative Tom Jacobson
Issue Brief: Exotic Invasive Species
Summary: Revises invasive species enforcement and penalty laws; relates to fish and wildlife.
Status: Draft request received on July 21
Introduced: 08/01/2016
Sponsor: Senator Pete Goicoechea, Member, Nevada Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Revises provisions relating to hunting.
Status: Filed on August 1
