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 
September 26, 2016


NORTHEASTNORTHEASTERN STATES


Introduced: 03/11/2015
Sponsor: Representative Paul Frost, Member, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Modern Restraining Animal Traps
Summary: Relates to the use of leghold traps for capturing furbearing animals.
Status: From Joint Committee on Environment, natural Resources and Agriculture: Accompanied study order H 4650 on September 28
 
Introduced: 03/11/2015
Sponsor: Representative Paul McMurtry
Issue Brief: Modern Restraining Animal Traps
Summary: Facilitates the issuance of trapping permits to alleviate beaver dam emergencies.
Status: From Joint Committee on Environment, natural Resources and Agriculture: Accompanied study order H 4650 on September 28
 
Introduced: 03/11/2015
Sponsor: Representative David Nangle
Issue Brief: Modern Restraining Animal Traps
Summary: Regulates the trapping of fur-bearing mammals.
Status: From Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture: Accompanied Study Order H 4650 on September 28
 
Introduced: 03/11/2015
Sponsor: Representative Lori Erlich
Issue Brief: Ivory Ban
Summary: Prevents trafficking in ivory and rhino horns.
Status: From Joint Committee on Judiciary: Accompanied Study Order H 4624 on September 16

Introduced: 05/11/2015
Sponsor: Representative Paul Frost, Member, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Firearm Suppressors
Summary: Relates to instruments used for the muffling of noise from the firing of firearms.
Status: From Joint Committee on Judiciary: Accompanied Study Order H 4625 on September 16
 
Introduced: 03/11/2015
Sponsor: Representative David Muradian, Member, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Outdoor Sporting Goods Tax Holiday
Summary: Provides for an income tax deduction for purchases of gun safes.
Status: From Joint Committee on Revenue: Accompanied Study Order H 4639 on September 23
 
Introduced: 03/11/2015
Sponsor: Representative David Muradian, Member, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Outdoor Sporting Goods Tax Holiday
Summary: Relates to sales tax exemptions for gun safes and trigger locks.
Status: From Joint Committee on Revenue: Accompanied Study Order H 4639 on September 23
 
Introduced: 01/27/2016
Sponsor: Assemblyman Bob Andrzejczak
Issue Brief: Licenses (General)
Summary: Establishes multi-species depredation permit.
Status: From Assembly Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on September 19
 
Introduced: 02/8/2016
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 Budget and Appropriations on September 26
 
Introduced: 06/20/2016
Sponsor: Assembly member Joann Downey
Issue Brief: Microstamping
Summary: Requires newly manufactured handguns to be micro-stamped; establishes handgun database.
Status: To Assembly Committee on Appropriations on September 22
 
Introduced: 09/19/2016
Sponsor: Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling
Issue Brief: White-tailed Deer Management - Hunting as a preferred Management Tool; Game Meat Donation Programs
Summary: Permits certain deer control activities; prohibits deer feeding; establishes check-off donation on hunting license applications to support venison donation program.
Status: To Assembly Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on September 19
 
Introduced: 09/19/2016
Sponsor: Assemblyman Ralph R. Caputo
Issue Brief: Guns (General)
Summary: Requires a firearms purchaser identification card, permit to purchase handgun, or permit to carry handgun for use of firearm at firing range.
Status: To Assembly Committee on Law and Public Safety on September 19
 
Introduced: 02/08/2016
Sponsor: Senator James W. Holzapfel
Issue Brief: Tethering of Dogs
Summary: Regulates tethering of, and outdoor shelter for, dogs.
Status: In Senate Committee on Economic Growth on September 29

Introduced: 07/16/2015
Sponsor: Representative Keith Gillespie, Member, Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Apprentice Hunting License
Summary: Relates to the Pennsylvania Game Commission; provides for junior hunter projects; relates to hunting and furtaking licenses; provides for a volunteer instructor license and further provides for license costs and fees and for unlawful acts concerning licenses.
Status: From Senate Committee on Appropriations on September 26
 
Introduced: 06/22/2016
Sponsor: Representative Maloney, Member, Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
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: From House Committee on State Government on September 26
 
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: In House. Removed from table on September 26
 
Introduced: 03/21/2016
Sponsor: Senator John Eichelberger, Member, Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: American System of Conservation Funding
Summary: Relates to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission; provides for power to set fees; 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: In House. Removed from table on September 26
 
Introduced: 06/24/2016
Sponsor: Senator Richard Alloway, Member, Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Firearm Preemption
Summary: Amends Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in preemptions; provides for regulation of firearms and ammunition.
Status: In Senate. Read second time on September 26
 
Introduced: 04/16/2015
Sponsor: Senator Scott Hutchinson, Member, Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Amends Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in hunting and furtaking; provides for unlawful devices and methods.
Status: In House. On Second Consideration on September 21


SOUTHEASTSOUTHEASTERN STATES


There are currently no updates in the Southeastern region.


MIDWESTMIDWESTERN STATES
 
Introduced: 05/26/2016
Sponsor: Representative Jon 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: From House Committee on Natural Resources: Reported with substitute (H-1). To second reading on September 20
 
Introduced: 04/13/2016
Sponsor: Senator Mike Nofs
Issue Brief: Public Access to Private Lands; General
Summary: Provides for conveyance of surplus state-owned real estate; authorizes the department of technology, management and budget to convey parcels of state-owned property in Baraga, Bay, Calhoun, Gratiot, Lenawee, Manistee, and Van Buren Counties; prescribes conditions for the conveyances; provides for powers and duties of state departments, agencies and officers in regard to the property; provides for disposition of revenue derived from the conveyance.
Status: Passed Senate. To House Committee on Appropriations on September 21


WESTWESTERN STATES 
 
 
California A 2148
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 unmanned aircraft systems known as drones from or within lands, waters or airspace managed by the Department of Fish and Wildlife and Department of Parks and Recreation without authorization for the taking of fish or wildlife. Includes use of drones for scouting purposes or to pursue, drive or herd any bird or mammal.
Status: To Governor on September 9
 
Introduced: 02/17/2016
Sponsor: Senator 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: Signed by Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter No. 481 on September 22
 
Prefiled: 09/15/2016
Issue Brief: Public Access to Private Lands
Summary: Revises the free elk license, relates to a permit for a landowner providing free public elk hunting.
Status: Draft request received on September 15
 
Prefiled: 09/15/2016 
Issue Brief: Licenses (General)
Summary: Revises license laws for hunting, fishing by nonresident relatives of residents.
Status: Draft request received on September 15
 
Prefiled: 09/15/2016
Issue Brief: Licenses (General)
Summary: Revises the waiting period for bighorn sheep hunting licenses.
Status: Draft request received on September 15
 
Prefiled: 09/15/2016
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Allows digital carcass tags; relates to fish and wildlife.
Status: Draft request received on September 15
 
Prefiled: 09/15/2016 
Issue Brief: Enforcement
Summary: Adds cross reference to additional penalties for hunting with artificial light; relates to fish and wildlife.
Status: Draft request received on September 15
 
Prefiled: 09/15/2016
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Allocates wild buffalo licenses to Indian tribes for traditional purposes.
Status: Draft request received on September 15
 
        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 visit: 
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 Director 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


Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter View our videos on YouTube View on Instagram