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 
February 27, 2017

NORTHEASTNORTHEASTERN STATES


Introduced: 01/11/2017
Sponsor: Representative Melissa H. Ziobron, Member, Connecticut Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Exotic Invasive Species
Summary:  Requires the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to prepare a plan for the rapid detection and eradication of newly discovered terrestrial invasive species; develops a plan to detect terrestrial invasive species.
Status: Public hearing scheduled (03/06/2017) on March 2
 
Introduced: 01/12/2017
Sponsor: Representative Kevin Skulczyck
Issue Brief: Sunday Hunting Restrictions
Summary:  Allows Sunday hunting on private lands.
Status: Public hearing scheduled (03/06/2017) on March 2
 
Introduced: 01/12/2017
Sponsor: Representative Stephen G. Harding
Issue Brief: Exotic Invasive Species
Summary:  Concerns lake authorities and combating invasive plant and animal species; provides grants to lake authorities in their efforts to combat invasive plant and animal species.
Status: Filed with Legislative Commissioner's Office on February 23
 
Introduced: 01/19/2017
Sponsor: Representative Robert C. Sampson, Member, Connecticut Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Licenses (General)
Summary:  Authorizes lifetime hunting and fishing licenses; allows for the purchase of lifetime hunting and lifetime fishing licenses; provides for an endorsement on the motor vehicle operator's license.
Status: Public hearing scheduled (03/06/2017) on March 2
 
Introduced: 01/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative Diana Urban
Issue Brief: Ivory Bans
Summary:  Prohibits the sale of ivory and rhinoceros horn; minimizes the illegal trade of ivory and rhinoceros horn, which may fund terrorist activities.
Status: Public hearing scheduled (03/06/2017) on March 2

Introduced: 01/20/2017
Sponsor: Senator Craig A. Miner, Co-Chair, Connecticut Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Bear Hunting
Summary:  Authorizes bear hunting.
Status: Public hearing scheduled (03/06/2017) on March 2
 
Introduced: 02/16/2017
Sponsor: Joint Committee on Environment
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  Concerns sport fishing licenses for persons age sixty-five and older; establishes a fishing license fee for certain persons who are age sixty-five and older.
Status: Public hearing scheduled (03/06/2017) on March 2
 
Introduced: 03/01/2017
Sponsor: Joint Committee on Environment
Issue Brief: "Big 5" Trophy Importation Bans
Summary:  Concerns Cecil's law; prohibits the importation of big five African species.
Status: Public hearing scheduled (03/06/2017) on March 2

Introduced: 02/24/2017
Sponsor: Representative Russell Black, Member, Maine Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  This bill establishes a limited season for fishing from October 1st to October 31st, during which a holder of a fishing license may catch fish as long as the fish is immediately returned to the water in which it was caught.
Status:  Work session held on February 28
 
Introduced: 02/24/2017
Sponsor: Representative Joel R. Stetkis
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  This bill explicitly restricts the application of the law prohibiting shooting from motor vehicles and motorboats to shooting while hunting.
Status:  Senate refers to Joint Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in concurrence on February 28

Introduced: 02/24/2017
Sponsor: Representative Kent Ackley
Issue Brief: Sunday Hunting Restrictions
Summary: This bill allows a person who possesses a valid hunting license to possess hunting equipment and to hunt deer during the regular deer hunting season described under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 12, section 11401, subsection 1, paragraph A, when hunters hunt with rifles, on Sunday on property that is located in a municipality, a plantation or the unorganized territory of a county that has successfully petitioned the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to allow hunting on Sunday as long as the person has obtained and is carrying the property owner's written consent to hunt with a map of the property. The bill allows a municipality, plantation or county with regard to its unorganized territory to petition the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to allow hunting on Sunday in its territory. The bill also repeals these provisions on December 1, 2021.
Status:  Senate refers to Joint Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in concurrence on February 28

Introduced: 02/24/2017
Sponsor: Representative Roland Danny Martin, Member, Connecticut Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Hunter Recruitment, Retention, Reactivation
Summary:  Doubles the number of moose permits for auction by conservation organizations from 10 permits to 20 permits and directs the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to disburse at least 50% of the revenue from the auction to conservation organizations for the purpose of operating youth day camps.
Status:  Senate refers to Joint Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in concurrence on February 28

Introduced: 02/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative Wayne R. Parry, Member, Maine Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  This bill allows the Commissioner of Marine Resources to adopt rules that establish different landings limits for commercial pelagic and anadromous fishing license holders who recorded landings of Atlantic herring in this State prior to January 1, 2017 and who did not record landings of Atlantic herring in this State prior to January 1, 2017.
Status: Senate refers to Joint Committee on Marine Resources in concurrence on February 28

Introduced: 02/27/2017
Sponsor: Representative Joyce A. Maker, Member, Maine Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: White-tailed Deer Management - Hunting as a Preferred Management Tool
Summary:  Prohibits taking deer that do not have at least 3 tines of one inch or more along the main beam of one antler in Oxford, Franklin, Somerset, Piscataquis, Penobscot, Hancock, Aroostook and Washington counties except as provided by rules adopted by the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife that establish antlerless deer permits or special season deer permits.
Status: House refers to Joint Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife on February 28
 
Introduced:  02/06/2017
Sponsor: Wicomico County Delegation
Issue Brief:  Sunday Hunting Restrictions
Summary:  Authorizes a person in Wicomico County to hunt deer on private property on specified Sundays.
Status:  In House Committee on Environment and Transportation on March 8

Introduced:  02/09/2017
Sponsor: Delegate Johnny Mautz, Member, Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  White-tailed Deer Management - Hunting as a Preferred Management Tool
Summary:  Authorizes an individual who hunts deer under a Deer Management Permit in Talbot County to use a rifle approved by the Department of Natural Resources to harvest deer under the permit if the individual holds a valid Maryland State Shooter Qualification Card and subject to the conditions set forth in the permit.
Status:  In House Committee on Environment and Transportation on March 1

Introduced:  02/10/2017
Sponsor: Delegate Herb McMillan, Member, Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Apprentice Hunting License
Summary:  Establishes an apprentice hunting license that confers specified rights on a purchaser of the license; authorizes a person to obtain an apprentice hunting license on completion of a short online or electronic course of instruction in competency in firearms and hunter safety approved by the Department of Natural Resources; authorizes specified persons to hunt under an apprentice license only if accompanied and directly supervised by a person who is at least a minimum age and has a valid resident permit.
Status:  In House Committee on Environment and Transportation on March 8

Introduced:  02/10/2017
Sponsor: Delegate Dereck Davis
Issue Brief:  National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS)
Summary:  Provides that a person who is not a specified licensee may not complete the transfer of a specified rifle or shotgun as transferor or transferee, except under specified circumstances; requires, before a specified transfer is conducted, the transferor and transferee to meet jointly with a specified licensee and request that the licensee facilitate the transfer; requires a licensee to take specified actions when facilitating a transfer.
Status:  In House Committee on Judiciary on March 14

Introduced:  02/10/2017
Sponsor: Delegate Johnny Mautz, Member, Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Hunting, Angling & Nature Appreciation in Schools
Summary:  Authorizes a conservation organization to hold a specified event on the campus of a public institution of higher education notwithstanding a provision of law, regulation, or policy that prohibits the carrying or possession of a firearm on the campus of the institution.
Status:  In House Committee on Appropriations on March 2

Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor: Senator Steve Waugh, Member, Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to harvest times.
Status:  Third reading passed unanimously (46-0) on March 2 
 
Introduced:  02/01/2017
Sponsor: Senator Ronald Young
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Repeals a prohibition in Frederick County against hunting or attempting to hunt nongame birds and mammals without first obtaining a hunting license.
Status:  Third reading passed unanimously (46-0) on March 2
 
Introduced:  02/23/2017
Sponsor: Senator John Astle, Co-Chair, Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Licenses (General)
Summary:  Alters the definition of hunt as it applies to the laws governing hunting and wildlife in the State to include the act of chasing or in any manner pursuing fox, whether armed or unarmed; repeals a provision of law excluding the sport of fox chasing from the definition of hunt; repeals the exemption for an unarmed person participating in an organized fox hunt from the requirement under specified circumstances to obtain a hunting license.
Status:  Reassigned to Senate Committee on Education, Health and Environmental Affairs on February 28
 
Introduced: 02/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative Thomas Calter
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  Implements a boating education program within the Division of Law Enforcement of the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Environmental Law Enforcement.
Status: To Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture on February 27

Introduced: 02/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative Gailanne M. Cariddi, Member, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  Relates to the feeding of wildlife.
Status: To Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture on February 27

Introduced: 02/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative David DeCoste
Issue Brief: White-tailed Deer Management - Hunting as a Preferred Management Tool
Summary:  Relates to bow hunting for deer in Wompatuck State Park.
Status: To Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture on February 27

Introduced: 02/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative Lori Ehrlich
Issue Brief: Ivory Bans
Summary:  Relates to ivory and rhino horn trafficking.
Status: To Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture on February 27

Introduced: 02/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative Paul K. Frost
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  Relates to the powers and duties of the Director of the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife within the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Environmental Law Enforcement in the management and control of wildlife.
Status: To Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture on February 27

Introduced: 02/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative Paul K. Frost
Issue Brief: Modern Restraining Animal Traps
Summary:  Relates to the use of leghold traps for capturing furbearing animals.
Status: To Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture on February 27

Introduced: 02/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative Stephen Kulik
Issue Brief: Modern Restraining Animal Traps
Summary:  Regulates the use of trapping devices to take beaver and muskrat.
Status: To Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture on February 27

Introduced: 02/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative Stephen Kulik, Member, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  Establishes old growth forest reserves in the Commonwealth.
Status: To Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture on February 27

Introduced: 01/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative David Muradian, Member, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  Relates to the promulgation of regulations by the Director of Fisheries and Wildlife within the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Environmental Law Enforcement for the use and possession of shotgun ammunition types for the purposes of hunting.
Status: To Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture on February 27

Introduced: 02/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative David M. Nangle
Issue Brief: Modern Restraining Animal Traps
Summary:  Regulates the trapping of fur-bearing mammals.
Status: To Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture on February 27

Introduced: 02/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative William M. Straus
Issue Brief: Sunday Hunting Restrictions 
Summary:  Authorizes bow and arrow hunting on Sundays.
Status: To Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture on February 27

Introduced: 02/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative William M. Straus
Issue Brief: Modern Restraining Animal Traps
Summary:  Relates to capturing and trapping furbearing mammals.
Status: To Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture on February 27

Introduced: 02/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative David T. Vieira, Co-Chair, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  Relates to the hunting of coyotes with artificial light.
Status: To Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture on February 27

Introduced: 01/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative Josh Cutler, Member, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Firearm Suppressors
Summary:  Relates to the penalty for the possession of firearm suppressor devices used for silencing, muffling, or diminishing the report of portable firearms.
Status: To Joint Committee on Judiciary on February 27

Introduced: 01/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative Paul K. Frost
Issue Brief: Firearm Suppressors
Summary:  Relates to penalties for the possession of silencers or firearm noise reduction devices.
Status: To Joint Committee on Judiciary on February 27

Introduced: 01/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative David Paul Linsky
Issue Brief: Standard Capacity Magazines
Summary:  Relates to the feeding of wildlife.
Status: To Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security on February 27

Introduced: 01/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative Marc T. Lombardo
Issue Brief: Modern Sporting Rifle
Summary:  Relates to the definition of assault weapons.
Status: To Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security on February 27

Introduced: 01/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative Paul W. Mark
Issue Brief: Guns
Summary:  Permits the carrying of unloaded shotguns and rifles on public ways.
Status: To Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security on February 27

Introduced: 01/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative James R. Miceli, Member, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Firearms Preemption
Summary:  Relates to laws, ordinances or regulations concerning to the lawful ownership, use, possession, transfer, purchase, receipt or transportation of weapons, antique weapons, ammunition or ammunition components.
Status: To Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security on February 27

Introduced: 01/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative David T. Vieira, Co-Chair, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Guns
Summary:  Relates to the transportation of firearms by non-residents.
Status: To Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security on February 27

Introduced: 02/22/2017
Sponsor: Senator Anne Gobi, Co-Chair, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  Enhances the management of problem wildlife.
Status: To Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture on February 27

Introduced: 02/22/2017
Sponsor: Senator Anne Gobi, Co-Chair, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Crossbows
Summary:  Relates to the use of crossbows in hunting.
Status: To Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture on February 27

Introduced: 02/22/2017
Sponsor: Senator Anne Gobi, Co-Chair, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  Relates to the use of artificial lights in hunting.
Status: To Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture on February 27

Introduced: 02/22/2017
Sponsor: Senator Anne Gobi, Co-Chair, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Sunday Hunting Restrictions 
Summary:  Relates to bow and arrow hunting season.
Status: To Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture on February 27

Introduced: 02/22/2017
Sponsor: Senator Anne Gobi, Co-Chair, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  Relates to hunting near a dwelling.
Status: To Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture on February 27

Introduced: 02/22/2017
Sponsor: Senator Anne Gobi, Co-Chair, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Technology and the Fair Chase Ethic; Hunting with Dogs; Right to Hunt, Fish, and Harvest Wildlife
Summary:  Relates to outdoor heritage.
Status: To Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture on February 27

Introduced: 02/22/2017
Sponsor: Senator Donald F. Humason, Member, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  Relates to the use of shotguns for hunting.
Status: To Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture on February 27

Introduced: 02/22/2017
Sponsor: Senator Donald F. Humason, Member, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Crossbows
Summary:  Relates to the use of crossbows in hunting.
Status: To Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture on February 27

Introduced: 02/22/2017
Sponsor: Senator Jason M. Lewis
Issue Brief: Ivory Bans
Summary:  Relates to ivory and rhino horn trafficking.
Status: To Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture on February 27

Introduced: 02/22/2017
Sponsor: Senator Michael Moore, Member, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Enforcement
Summary:  Further regulates the enforcement of illegal hunting practices.
Status: To Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture on February 27

Introduced: 02/22/2017
Sponsor: Senator Donald F. Humason, Member, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Firearm Suppressors
Summary:  Relates to firearm suppressors.
Status: To Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security on February 27

Introduced: 02/22/2017
Sponsor: Senator Donald F. Humason, Member, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Ammunition Restrictions (non-lead)
Summary:  Relates to the lawful sale of ammunition.
Status: To Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security on February 27

Introduced: 02/22/2017
Sponsor: Senator Donald F. Humason, Member, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Guns
Summary:  Relates to the lawful sale of handguns.
Status: To Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security on February 27

Introduced: 02/22/2017
Sponsor: Senator Donald F. Humason, Member, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Modern Sporting Rifle
Summary:  Repeals the ban on modern sporting rifles.
Status: To Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security on February 27

Introduced: 02/22/2017
Sponsor: Senator Michael Moore, Member, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Firearm Suppressors
Summary:  Relates to firearm suppressors.
Status: To Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security on February 27

Introduced: 01/04/2017
Sponsor: Representative Gene G. Chandler, Co-Chair, New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: American System of Conservation Funding
Summary:  Provides for a portion of funds in the wildlife habitat account to be used for fish and game department boundary work, and prohibits wildlife habitat account and fisheries habitat account funds from being expended for equipment; corrects references to legislative committees.
Status:  Heard in Committee on March 2; Executive session scheduled for March 13

Introduced: 01/05/2017
Sponsor: Representative Judith T. Spang
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  Identifies and defines different types of wetlands protected under the Wetlands Protection Act.
Status: Retained in Committee for action in second year of session on February 28

Introduced:  02/27/2017
Sponsor: Senator Linda Greenstein
Issue Brief:  Substandard Kennels
Summary:  Establishes additional requirements for operation and oversight of animal shelters, pounds, and kennels operating as shelters or pounds, and veterinary holding facilities.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Economic Growth on February 27

Introduced:  02/28/2017
Sponsor: Senator Anthony Bucco, Member, New Jersey Angling and Hunting Conservation Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Allows possession of bear spray under certain conditions.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Economic Growth on February 28

Introduced: 01/30/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member Steve Englebright
Issue Brief: Hunter Recruitment, Retention, Reactivation
Summary:  Relates to youth pheasant hunting days on Long Island.
Status: Passed Assembly; To Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation on February 28

Introduced: 02/28/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member David DiPietro, 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 for the issuance of free hunting, fishing and trapping licenses to persons who are active or reserve members of the armed Forces or the organized militia, and to honorably discharged veterans thereof who have ten or more years of military service.
Status: T o Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation on February 28

Introduced: 01/05/2017
Sponsor: Senator Robert Ortt, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Standard Capacity Magazines; Modern Sporting Rifle
Summary:  Limits the application of the "safe act" to the counties of Suffolk, Nassau, Kings, Queens, Richmond, New York, Bronx and Westchester.
Status: Amended in Senate Committee on Codes on February 24

Introduced: 01/09/2017
Sponsor: Senator Patrick M. Gallivan, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Crossbows
Summary:  Authorizes the taking of wildlife by the use of a crossbow; makes related provisions.
Status: Amended in Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation on March 1

Introduced: 01/23/2017
Sponsor: Senator Patrick M. Gallivan, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  Amends the generally; regulates taking of moose in the same manner as deer hunting and trapping are currently regulated.
Status: Withdrawn from Senate Committee on Transportation; To Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation on February 27

Introduced: 02/23/2017
Sponsor: Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer, 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; decreases fees for hunting, fishing and bowhunting for non-resident disabled veterans.
Status: To Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation on February 23

Introduced: 02/23/2017
Sponsor: Senator Tom O'Mara, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: White-tailed Deer Management - Hunting as a Preferred Management Tool
Summary:  Establishes the yearling buck protection program.
Status: To Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation on February 27

Introduced: 02/28/2017
Sponsor: Senator Diane J. Savino
Issue Brief: Knife Ban Repeal
Summary:  Amends the Penal Law; relates to the definition of a gravity knife; removes reference to the application of centrifugal force from the definition of a gravity knife.
Status: To Senate Committee on Codes on February 28

Introduced:  02/08/2017
Sponsor: Representative David Maloney, Member, Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Hunting, Angling & Nature Appreciation in Schools, Hunter Education
Summary:  Amends Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in hunting and furtaking licenses; provides for eligibility for license.
Status:  In House Committee on Game and Fisheries on March 15
 
Introduced:  02/14/2017
Sponsor: Representative Neal Goodman, Member, Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Enforcement
Summary:  Relates to Game; relates to hunting and furtaking; provides for interference with lawful taking of wildlife or other activities permitted by this title prohibited.
Status:  In House Committee on Game and Fisheries on February 14
 
Introduced:  02/24/2017
Sponsor: Representative William Kortz, Member, Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  American System of Conservation Funding, Licenses (General)
Summary:  Relates to fish; relates to fishing licenses; provides for nonresident and tourist licenses, for one-day resident fishing license and for license, permit and issuing agent fees; in special licenses and permits; provides for permits for protection and management of particular fish, for Lake Erie fishing permits and for fishing guide and charter boat permits.
Status:  To House Committee on Game and Fisheries on February 24
 
Introduced:  02/24/2017
Sponsor: Representative Angel Cruz
Issue Brief:  Guns (General)
Summary:  Relates to firearm registration; provides for duties of the Pennsylvania State Police; imposes penalties.
Status:  To House Committee on Judiciary on February 24
 
Introduced:  02/28/2017
Sponsor: Representative Angel Cruz
Issue Brief:  Guns (General)
Summary:  Relates to firearms and other dangerous articles; provides for firearm rental at shooting ranges.
Status:  To House Committee on Judiciary on February 28

Introduced:  02/28/2017
Sponsor: Senator Jim Brewster, Co-Chair, Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Sunday Hunting Restrictions
Summary:  Relates to hunting and furtaking; provides for prohibition on Sunday hunting and providing for regulation of Sunday hunting by the Game Commission.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Game and Fisheries on February 28

Introduced:  02/28/2017
Sponsor: Senator Jim Brewster, Co-Chair, Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  American System of Conservation Funding, Licenses (General)
Summary:  Relates to fishing licenses; provides for nonresident and tourist licenses, for one-day resident fishing license and for license, permit and issuing agent fees; provides for permits for protection and management of particular fish, for Lake Erie fishing permits and for fishing guide and charter boat permits.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Game and Fisheries on February 28

Introduced: 02/01/2017
Sponsor: Senator Joshua Miller
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  (Resolution) Would extend the reporting and expiration dates for the special legislative commission to study waterfowl hunting laws and regulations from January 3, 2017, to November 1, 2017, and said commission would expire on December 31, 2017.
Status: Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (03/01/2017) on February 24

Introduced: 02/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative Jay Hooper
Issue Brief: Exotic Invasive Species
Summary:  Relates to invasive species management.
Status: To House Committee on Agriculture and Forestry on February 24
 
Introduced: 01/11/2017
Sponsor: Kevin J. Mullin
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  Relates to awarding hunting and fishing licenses at no cost to persons 65 years of age or Older.
Status: To Senate Committee on Finance on March 1


SOUTHEASTSOUTHEASTERN STATES


Introduced:  02/07/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Tommy Hanes
Issue Brief:  College Student Hunting/Angling Licenses
Summary:  Relates to hunting and fishing; authorizes a nonresident student at an institution of higher education in this state to purchase resident hunting or fishing licenses under certain conditions.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry on February 28
 
Introduced:  02/09/2017
Sponsor: Representative Jack Williams, Member, Alabama Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Deer Management; General
Summary:  Relates to hunting; allows the taking of whitetail deer or feral swine by means of bait.
Status:  Committee amendment tabled on House floor. Representative substitute offered and adopted on House floor. Passed House. To Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry on February 28

Introduced:  02/23/17
Sponsor:  Representative Tommy Hanes
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to commercial fishing and net and seine permits; provides for the renewal of permits without regard to the income requirements.
Status:  To House Committee on Agriculture and Forestry on February 23

Introduced:  02/23/17
Sponsor:  Representative Tommy Hanes
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to certain commercial fishing permits issued by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; authorizes the holder of a permit to designate one person who could be issued a captain's license to operate the vessel when the holder of the permit is not present on the vessel.
Status:  To House Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security on February 23
 
Introduced:  02/07/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Tom Whatley
Issue Brief:  College Student Hunting/Angling Licenses
Summary:  Relates to hunting and fishing; authorizes a nonresident student at an institution of higher education in this state to purchase resident hunting or fishing licenses under certain conditions.
Status: Reported favorably from Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry on February 23
 
Introduced:  02/09/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Tim Melson
Issue Brief:  General License
Summary:  Relates to issuance of annual stamps for waterfowl hunting; provides for the issuance of lifetime waterfowl stamps and to establish fees; authorizes for adjustment of the fees.
Status:  Reported favorably with substitute from Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry on February 23

Introduced:  02/14/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Tom Whatley
Issue Brief:  White-tailed Deer Management - Hunting as a preferred Management Tool; Exotic Invasive Species
Summary:  Relates to hunting; allows the taking of whitetail deer or feral swine by means of bait.
Status:  Reported favorably from Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry on February 23
 
Introduced:  02/10/2017
Sponsor: Representative Thad Altman, Member, Florida Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to water resources; revises requirements for issuance of certain bonds; provides for reservoir project in Everglades Agricultural Area; requires South State Water Management District to seek out specified property and coordinate with Untied States Army Corps of Engineers; provides project requirements; provides contingent appropriations.
Status:  To House Natural Resources and Public Lands Subcommittee on February 23.  Referred to House Committee on Appropriations on February 23.  Referred to House Committee on Government Accountability on February 23
 
Introduced:  01/03/2017
Sponsor: Senator Frank Artiles, Co-Chair, Florida Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to nonnative animals; directs the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, in consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection, to establish a pilot program for the eradication of specific species; requires the commission to enter into specified contracts.
Status:  To Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Environment and Natural Resources on February 24
 
Introduced:  02/28/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Linda Stewart
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to State black bears; creates the State Black Bear Habitat Restoration Act; requires the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the Department of Environmental Protection to coordinate certain duties and responsibilities to protect State black bears and to preserve their habitat.
Status:  Prefiled on February 28

Introduced:  02/28/2017
Sponsor: Senator Frank Artiles, Co-Chair, Florida Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Invasive species, General
Summary:  Relates to hunting of exotic invasive species in national parks.
Status:  Prefiled on February 28
 
Introduced:  02/07/2017
Sponsor: Senator Michael Williams, Member, Georgia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Deer Management
Summary:  Relates to seasons and bag limits, promulgation of rules and regulations by the board, possession of more than bag limit, and reporting number of deer killed; changes certain provisions relating to open seasons for the hunting of deer; provides for related matters; provides for an effective date; repeals conflicting laws.
Status:  Favorably reported as substituted from Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Environment on February 28
 
Introduced:  02/16/2017
Sponsor:  Representative David Osborne
Issue Brief:  Wolf in Sheep's Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups
Summary:  Relates to cruelty to animals in the second degree, to allow a court to order an offender to pay restitution for the upkeep of a horse involved in the offense and terminate the offender's interest in the horse involved in the offense.
Status:  From House Committee on Agriculture: reported favorably with substitute on March 1

Introduced:  02/13/2017
Sponsor: Representative Robert J. Benvenuti 
Issue Brief:  Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  Requires the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources to offer hunting and fishing licenses to active duty members of the United States Armed Forces at the same cost charged to Kentucky residents.
Status:  Posted for passage in Regular Orders of the Day on February 28
 
Introduced:  01/03/2017
Sponsor: Senator Tom Buford, Member, Kentucky Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  White-tailed Deer Management - Hunting as a Preferred Management Tool
Summary:  Requires the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources to undertake measures if deer and elk pose a significant risk to human safety from automobile accidents; identifies permissive measures for the department to implement including special hunts and issuance of more tags.
Status:  From Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy: reported favorably with substitute, and to Rules on March 1

Introduced:  02/16/2017
Sponsor: Senator Robin Webb, Co-Chair, Kentucky Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Defines networked national charitable organization; exempts chapters or satellite offices of a networked national charitable organization from establishment requirements of the section; grants the department authority to promulgate administrative regulations allowing alternative reporting requirements for networked national charitable organizations; grants chapters or satellite offices of networked national charitable organizations the authority to maintain a single checking account.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Licensing, Occupations and Administrative Regulations on February 21
 
Introduced:  01/09/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Jason White
Issue Brief:  General, Invasive Species
Summary:  Extends the date of the repealer on the statute that requires the Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks to regulate the hunting, trapping and taking of nuisance animals and the issuance of wild hog transportation permits.
Status:  Recommended as amended from the Senate Committee on Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks on February 23
 
Introduced:  01/17/17
Sponsor: Representative Ken Morgan, Member, Mississippi Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Deer Management; General
Summary:  Requires the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks to develop a program for tagging white-tailed deer and wild turkey.
Status:  Died in Committee on February 28
 
Introduced:  02/15/2017
Sponsor: Representative Trey Lamar, Member, Mississippi Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Game Meat Donation
Summary:  Authorizes a state income tax credit to venison processors for a percentage of the production cost of processing venison donated by hunters for the Mississippi hunter's harvest program of the Mississippi wildlife federation for which the processor has not been paid or otherwise received reimbursement.
Status:  Transmitted to Senate on February 23
 
Introduced:  01/13/2017
Sponsor: Senator Briggs Hopson, Member, Mississippi Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Seniors/Vets
Summary:  Authorizes honorably discharged veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States with service-connected disabilities who are residents of this state to hunt and fish in this state without a license.
Status:  Committee amendment adopted on House Floor on March 1.  Passed House to Senate for concurrence on March 1
 
Introduced:  01/19/2017
Sponsor: Senator Thomas A. Gollott, Member, Mississippi Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General License
Summary:  Provides that if a nonresident's domicile state has mandatory licensing requirements then the nonresident must meet those requirements before receiving a Mississippi nonresident commercial fishing license.
Status:  Recommended as Do Pass from House Committee on Marine Resources on February 28
 
Introduced:  02/23/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Jason Saine
Issue Brief:  Wolf in Sheep's Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups, Hunting Dogs, Substandard Kennels
Establishes standards of care for large commercial dog breeding facilities; provides law enforcement with tools to ensure that dogs at those facilities are treated humanely.
Status:  To House Committee on Judiciary II on February 23
 
Introduced:  02/28/2017
Sponsor: Representative Brian Turner, Member, North Carolina Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Enforcement
Summary:  Prohibits hunting from the right-of-ways of public roads in Buncombe County.
Status:  To House Committee on Rules, Calendar and Operations of the House on March 2
 
Introduced:  02/08/2017
Sponsor: Representative Ryan Smith, Member, Ohio Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Budget Bills
Summary:  Makes operating appropriations for the biennium beginning July 1, 2017, and ending June 30, 2019; provides authorization and conditions for the operation of state programs.
Status:  To House Committee on Finance on February 14
 
Introduced:  02/28/2017
Sponsor: Representative Lee Hewitt, Member, South Carolina Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Catch Shares, Angling Access
Summary:  Opposes the privatization of South Atlantic Federal Fishery resources through catch share management and efforts through exempted fishing permits or other means to conduct pilot catch share programs or studies.
Status:  Introduced on February 28. To House Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Environmental Affairs on February 28
 
Introduced:  02/14/2017
Sponsor:  Senator A. Shane Massey
Issue Brief:  Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  Relates to disability licenses for hunting and fishing; allows residents receiving benefits from a state retirement system to obtain a three-year combination or fishing license at no cost.
Status:  Reported favorably with amendment from Senate Committee on Fish, Game and Forestry on March 1
 
Introduced:  02/21/2017
Sponsor: Senator Chip Campsen, Co-Chair, South Carolina Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to night hunting and harassment of wildlife; restructures the existing provisions that regulate night hunting; provides that night hunting any animal except deer, bear, turkey, or any animal specified is unlawful; provides appropriate penalties; provides that night hunting deer, bear, or turkey on property not registered with the department for night hunting feral hogs, coyotes, or armadillos is unlawful and to provide appropriate penalties.
Status:  Reported favorably with amendment from Senate Committee on Fish, Game and Forestry on March 1
 
Introduced:  02/8/2017
Sponsor: Representative Ron Lollar, Co-Chair, Tennessee Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Modern Restraining Animal Traps
Summary:  Relates to Game and Fish Laws; establishes that requirements on the size, placement and inspection of steel traps used in the taking of wildlife be set by rule or proclamation of the fish and wildlife commission, as necessary, Rather than by statute.
Status:  Recommend passage From House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources. To House Committee on Government Operations on February 28
 
Introduced:  02/9/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Mae Beavers
Issue Brief:  Ammunition Restrictions (non-lead); Outdoor Sporting Goods Tax Holiday
Summary:  Relates to tax exemptions and credits; creates a Second Amendment sales tax holiday for the first weekend of September of each year for firearms and ammunition.
Status:  Referred to General Subcommittee in Senate Committee on Finance, Ways, and Means on February 21
 
Introduced:  02/9/2017
Sponsor: Senator Mark S. Norris, Member, Tennessee Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Ammunition Restrictions (non-lead); Outdoor Sporting Goods Tax Holiday
Summary:  Relates to tax exemptions and credits; creates a tax-free weekend for sales of firearms, firearms ammunition, and firearms accessories made during the same time as the annual sales tax holiday.
Status:  Referred to General Subcommittee in Senate Committee on Finance, Ways, and Means on February 21
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Delegate Bobby Orrock
Issue Brief:  Wolf in Sheep's Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups      
Summary:  Relates to cats and dogs; relates to lifetime licenses; authorizes the governing body of a county or city to provide for a lifetime dog or cat license; removes the minimum annual tax for a dog or cat, sets the maximum tax for a lifetime license at $50, and limits the fee for a duplicate dog or cat tag to $1.
Status:  Conference Committee Report adopted by Senate on February 24

Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Delegate Gordon Helsel
Issue Brief:  General License    
Summary:  Relates to Marine Resources Commission; relates to registration as commercial fisherman; relates to family member or employee; directs the Marine Resources Commission to grant a preference for an exception to the two-year delay in the effective date of a registration as a commercial fisherman; requires the preference to benefit a license applicant who is a member of the immediate family or a documented employee of commercial fisherman who is retiring.
Status:  Eligible for Governor's desk on February 24
 
Introduced: 01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Delegate Gordon Helsel
Issue Brief:  Enforcement
Summary:  Relates to Marine Resources Commission; relates to licenses; relates to revocation; provides that when the Marine Resources Commission (the Commission) revokes fishing privileges for a violation of the tidal fisheries law, it shall only revoke the particular type of license that is applicable to the fishery in which the violation occurred; provides that under current law, the Commission is authorized to revoke all of the fishing privileges a person has been granted.
Status:  Eligible for Governor's desk on February 24
 
Introduced: 01/11/2017
Sponsor: Delegate James E. Edmunds, Member, Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General License
Summary:  Relates to slingbow hunting; relates to license; authorizes the use of a slingbow to hunt small and big game when a hunter is licensed to hunt with a bow and arrow.
Status:  Eligible for Governor's desk on February 24
 
Introduced: 01/11/2017
Sponsor: Delegate James E. Edmunds, Member, Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to hunting apparel; relates to blaze pink; allows hunters to wear blaze pink instead of blaze orange hunting apparel when required during firearms deer hunting season or the special season for hunting deer with a muzzle-loading rifle.
Status:  Eligible for Governor's desk on February 24
 
Introduced: 01/11/2017
Sponsor: Delegate James E. Edmunds, Member, Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General License
Summary:  Relates to hunting of big game species; relates to licenses; creates separate licenses to hunt each big game species, as defined by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, instead of one license for all big game species.
Status:  Eligible for Governor's desk on February 24
 
Introduced: 01/17/2017
Sponsor:  Delegate C. Matt Farris
Issue Brief:  Wolf in Sheep's Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups
Summary:  Relates to dangerous dogs; removes the requirement that a law-enforcement officer or animal control officer apply for a summons requiring a dog owner to appear before a general district court when the officer has reason to believe that the dog is dangerous; relates to cases where a dog has bitten a cat or dog; requires investigation by an officer for certain exemptions from the definition of dangerous dog to apply and removes an exemption for good cause as determined by a court.
Status:  Eligible for Governor's desk on February 24
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Senator William Stanley
Issue Brief:  Wolf in Sheep's Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups      
Summary:  Relates to pet shops; relates to procurement of dogs from unlicensed dealers; prohibits any companion animal dealer who is not licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture from selling any dog to a pet shop.
Status:  Eligible for Governor's desk on February 24
 
Introduced: 01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Frank M. Ruff
Issue Brief:  Guns
Summary:  Relates to muzzleloader firearms; relates to definition; incorporates the Virginia criminal law definition of a muzzleloader into the current statutory definitions of muzzleloading pistol, muzzleloading rifle, and muzzleloading shotgun located in the Game and Inland Fisheries Title.
Status:  Signed by Governor on February 23. Acts of Assembly. Chapter No. 161
 
Introduced:  02/22/2017
Sponsor: Delegate George Ambler, Member, West Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Prohibits the waste of game animals, game birds or game fish.
Status:  To House Committee on Judiciary on March 1

Introduced:  02/24/2017
Sponsor: Delegate Bill Hamilton, Member, West Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to state ownership of wildlife.
Status:  To House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on February 24
 
Introduced:  02/24/2017
Sponsor: Delegate Bill Hamilton, Member, West Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Crossbows
Summary:  Relates to crossbow hunting.
Status:  To House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on February 24
 
Introduced:  02/24/2017
Sponsor: Delegate Bill Hamilton, Member, West Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to the collection, possession and sale of naturally shed deer antlers.
Status:  To House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on February 24
 
Introduced:  02/24/2017
Sponsor: Delegate Bill Hamilton, Member, West Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Seniors, Veterans, Active Duty Military, and Disabled Persons Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  Relates to a lawful method for a developmentally disabled person to purchase a base hunting license.
Status:  To House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on February 24
 
Introduced:  02/15/2017
Sponsor: Senator Mark R. Maynard, Co-Chair, West Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Crossbows
Summary:  Relates to crossbow hunting.
Status:  To House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on February 27

Introduced:  02/17/2017
Sponsor: Senator Mark R. Maynard, Co-Chair, West Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Sunday Hunting
Summary:  Allows hunting and trapping on Sundays.
Status:  To House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on March 2

Introduced:  02/28/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Tom Takubo
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Prohibits waste of game animals, birds or fish.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Natural Resources on February 28

Introduced:  02/28/2017
Sponsor: Senator Mark R. Maynard, Co-Chair, West Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to state ownership of wildlife.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Natural Resources on February 28

Introduced:  02/28/2017
Sponsor: Senator Mark R. Maynard, Co-Chair, West Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Permits bear hunting with guides.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Natural Resources on February 28
 
Introduced:  02/28/2017
Sponsor: Senator Mark R. Maynard, Co-Chair, West Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary: Permits collection and sale of naturally shed deer antlers.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Natural Resources on February 28

Introduced:  02/28/2017
Sponsor: Senator Mark R. Maynard, Co-Chair, West Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary: Exempts names of licensed hunters from public disclosure.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Natural Resources on February 28


MIDWESTMIDWESTERN STATES

Introduced: 02/09/2017
Sponsor: Representative Joe Sosnowski
Issue Brief: Crossbows
Summary: Amends the Wildlife Code; provides that any person may use a crossbow to take coyotes during any coyote season.
Status: In House. Committee Amendment No. 1 filed. Referred to Rules on February 23
 
Introduced: 02/10/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Brad Halbrook
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Amends the Wildlife Code; provides that a person may place or scatter deer bait otherwise prohibited when not in active deer hunting season; provides that person who unlawfully baits deer is guilty of a Petty offense subject to a mandatory fine of not less than a specified amount and shall lose hunting privileges in this State for a period of not less than a year.
Status:  To House Committee on Agriculture and Conservation on March 1
 
Introduced: 02/10/2017
Sponsor: Representative Brandon Phelps, Co-Chair, Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Guns (General)
Summary:  Amends the Criminal Code of 2012; provides that a person who has been issued a currently valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card may transport in a vehicle an accessible rifle, shotgun, or other long gun without the weapon being broken down in a non-functioning state or without the weapon being enclosed in a case, firearm carrying box, shipping box, or other container if the firearm is unloaded.
Status:  To House Committee on Judiciary - Criminal on March 1
 
Introduced: 02/10/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Deborah Conroy
Issue Brief:  Modern Sporting Rifle, Standard Capacity Magazines
Summary:  Amends the Criminal Code of 2012; makes it unlawful to deliver, sell, or purchase or cause to be delivered, sold, or purchased or cause to be possessed by another, an assault weapon, assault weapon attachment, .50 caliber rifle, or .50 caliber cartridge; makes it unlawful for any person to knowingly possess an assault weapon, .50 caliber rifle, or .50 caliber cartridge 300 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act, except possession of weapons registered with the State Police.
Status:  To House Committee on Judiciary - Criminal on March 1
 
Introduced: 02/10/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Katie Stuart
Issue Brief:  Licenses (General)
Summary:  Amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code and the Wildlife Code; provides that the respective fees for resident fishing, combination sportsmen, and hunting licenses are waived for current and retired State, municipal, and local law enforcement officers.
Status:  To House Committee on Agriculture and Conservation on March 1
 
Introduced: 02/10/2017
Sponsor: Representative Jerry Costello, Member, Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Ammunition
Summary:  Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act; provides that the Department of State Police may not retain, copy, or distribute any information previously collected under this Act on a firearm transfer inquiry system check; requires the Department to destroy all records of the Firearms Transfer Inquiry Program system with respect to the call or request, other than the identifying number and the date the number was assigned, and all records of the system.
Status:  To House Committee on Judiciary - Criminal on March 1

Introduced: 02/10/2017
Sponsor: Representative Dan Beiser, Member, Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Outdoor Sporting Goods Tax Holiday
Summary: Amends the Use Tax Act and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act; provides a hunting sales tax holiday on specified dates for firearms and firearm ammunition that may be used for lawful hunting under the Wildlife Code; provides for administration of the hunting sales tax holiday by the Department of Revenue; provides the Department of Revenue with rulemaking authority, including emergency rulemaking authority; amends the Administrative Procedure Act to allow emergency rulemaking.
Status: To House Committee on Revenue and Finance on March 1
 
Introduced: 02/09/2017
Sponsor: Senator Neil Anderson, Member, Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Guns (General), General
Summary: Amends the Wildlife Code; provides in various provisions an exemption to carry a firearm on Department of Natural Resource property in accordance with the Firearm Concealed Carry Act.
Status:  In Senate Committee on Judiciary: To Subcommittee on Firearms on March 1

Introduced: 02/09/2017
Sponsor: Senator Julie Morrison
Issue Brief: Modern Sporting Rifle
Summary: Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act; provides that the regulation of the possession or ownership of dangerous and unusual weapons are exclusive Powers of the State and any ordinance or regulation that purports to regulate the possession or ownership of a dangerous and unusual weapon in a manner inconsistent with the Act shall be invalid; defines dangerous and unusual weapon.
Status: In Senate Committee on Judiciary: To Subcommittee on Firearms on March 1

Introduced: 02/09/2017
Sponsor: Senator Dale Fowler
Issue Brief: White-tailed Deer Management - Hunting as a Preferred Management Tool
Summary: Amends the Wildlife Code; provides that the Director of the Department of Natural Resources shall establish an open season for the taking of deer with shotgun, handgun, or muzzleloading rife which shall be at least 10 consecutive days.
Status: To Senate Committee on Agriculture on February 28
 
Introduced: 02/10/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Don Harmon
Issue Brief:  Wolf in Sheeps Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups
Summary:  Amends the Wildlife Code; provides that it shall be unlawful for any person to trap bobcat in this State at any time; provides that no personal shall knowingly sell, offer for sale, or purchase a bobcat of a bobcat taken in this State; makes conforming changes.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Commerce on February 28
 
Introduced: 02/10/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Don Harmon
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Amends the Wildlife Code; provides that prior to the opening of a new hunting season for an animal that was listed on the endangered or threatened species list in the past 15 years, the Department of Natural Resources shall develop a management plan including: an overall goal for the continued growth of the animal's population and return of a stable population in all prime habitat areas throughout the State for that animal; an analysis demonstrating the impact of hunting in different regions of the State.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Environment and Conservation on February 28
 
Introduced: 02/10/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Don Harmon
Issue Brief:  Lead Ammunition and Fishing Tackle Bans
Summary:  Amends the Wildlife Code; provides that is shall be unlawful to use lead ammunition to take wildlife in State parks or natural areas; defines lead ammunition as a projectile containing one or more percent lead by weight; makes conforming changes.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Environment and Conservation on February 28
 
Introduced: 02/10/2017
Sponsor: Senator Chapin Rose, Member, Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Amends the Wildlife Code; provides that a person may supplementally feed deer with items otherwise prohibited by the Code when not in active deer hunting season which shall be implemented by the Department of Natural Resources by rule.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Agriculture on February 28
 
Introduced: 02/10/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Kyle McCarter
Issue Brief:  Firearms Preemption
Summary:  Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act; provides that the regulation of the possession or ownership of a rifle or shotgun are exclusive Powers and functions of this State; provides that any ordinance or regulation, or portion of that ordinance or regulation, that purports to regulate the possession or ownership of any rifle or shotgun in a manner that is inconsistent with this Act, shall be invalid.
Status: In Senate Committee on Judiciary: To Subcommittee on Firearms on March 1

Introduced: 01/17/2017
Sponsor: Representative Sean Eberhart, Co-Chair, Indiana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Freshwater Angling Access, Licenses (General), Hunter Recruitment, Retention and Reactivation
Summary: Relates to natural resources; adds certain structures that are eligible for institutional road fund money on department of natural resources properties; provides that certain fees concerning fish and wildlife, entomology and plants, water resources, lakes and reservoirs, dams, flood control, mineral extraction, channels, and well drillers and pump installers are considered to be minimum fees. Allows the natural resources commission to set certain license and permit fees above the specific minimum fee.
Status: To Senate Committee on Natural Resources on February 23
 
Introduced: 01/18/2017
Sponsor:  Representative David Wolkins
Issue Brief:  Management Authority over Farmed Cervids
Summary:  Relates to regulation of confined feeding operations; amends the law on confined feeding operations; replaces the current prohibition against starting construction or expansion of a CFO without the prior approval of the department of environmental management with the requirement that a person obtain a permit to construct and operate a confined feeding operation.
Status: To Senate Committee on Rules and Legislative Procedure on March 1
 
Introduced: 01/03/2017
Sponsor: Senator Jim Tomes, Co-Chair, Indiana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Guns (General)
Summary: Relates to possession of firearms in locked vehicles; removes penal facilities from the list of locations where employer ordinances, resolutions, policies, or rules prohibiting the keeping of firearms or employer property may be enforced.
Status: Passed Senate, to House on February 23
 
Introduced: 02/09/2017
Sponsor: Representative Pat Grassley
Issue Brief: Crossbows, Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary: Relates to the issuance of senior crossbow deer hunting licenses.
Status: In House committee on Natural Resources: Passed subcommittee on February 28
 
Introduced: 02/22/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Bruce Hunter
Issue Brief:  Modern Sporting Rifle
Summary: Prohibits the sale or transfer of semiautomatic assault weapons; provides penalties; includes effective date and applicability provisions.
Status:  To House Committee on Judiciary on February 22
 
Introduced: 02/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative Clel Baudler, Member, Iowa Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Requires the Natural Resource Commission to allow catfish to be taken by bow and arrow; provides penalties.
Status: To House Committee on Natural Resources on February 23
 
Introduced: 02/28/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Charlie McConkey
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to the regulations of person; including commercial establishments, keeping nonagricultural animals; provides for fees and appropriations; makes penalties applicable.
Status:  To House Committee on Agriculture on February 28
 
Introduced: 02/28/2017
Sponsor:  House Natural Resources Committee
Issue Brief:  White-tailed Deer Management - Hunting as a Preferred Management Tool
Summary: Relates to the use of a straight wall cartridge rifle to hunt deer; includes penalties.
Status:  In House, Filed Amendment No. H-1113 on March 1

Introduced: 02/28/2017
Sponsor: House Natural Resources Committee
Issue Brief: Licenses (General), American System of Conservation Funding
Summary: Increases certain fees and reallocates certain revenues related to hunting, fishing, and fur harvesting; includes effective date provisions.
Status: To House Committee on Natural Resources on February 28
 
Introduced: 02/15/2017
Sponsor: Senate Natural Resources and Environment Committee
Issue Brief: Fishing Tournaments
Summary: Relates to bass fishing in the state.
Status: Passed Senate, to House on March 1
 
Introduced: 02/28/2017
Sponsor: Senate Natural Resources and Environment Committee
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to the commercial and noncommercial harvest of turtles; includes effective date provisions.
Status: In Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Environment: Passed subcommittee on March 1
 
Introduced: 01/31/2017
Sponsor:  House Agriculture Committee
Issue Brief:  Public Access to Private Lands
Summary:  Relates to hunting on private land by written permission only.
Status:  Committee substitute adopted on House floor,to House Committee on Agriculture on February 23
 
Introduced:  02/09/17
Sponsor: Representative Holly Hughes, Member, Michigan Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Invasive Species
Summary:  Encourages the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the United States Army Corps of Engineers, and other agencies to continue efforts to prevent the introduction of new aquatic species into the Great Lakes and to consider new research and technologies.
Status:  Passed House on March 1
 
Introduced:  02/13/17
Sponsor:  Representative Mathew Bliss
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Modifies requirements for minnow licenses; requires rulemaking.
Status:  Second reading in House on March 1
 
Introduced:  02/15/17
Sponsor:  Representative John Poston
Issue Brief:  Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  Modifies military and veteran eligibility requirements for certain permits and licenses.
Status:  Rereferred to House Committee on Government Operations and Election Policy on March 1
 
Introduced:  02/22/17
Sponsor:  Representative Dale Lueck
Issue Brief:  Budget Bills
Summary:  Relates to natural resources; appropriates money for forestry management.
Status:  To House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance on February 22
 
Introduced:  02/22/17
Sponsor:  Representative Dale Lueck
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  Relates to game and fish; requires a person authorized to issue hunting and fishing licenses to issue licenses to certain disabled residents without charging a fee.
Status:  To House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance on February 22
 
Introduced:  02/22/17
Sponsor: Repetitive Tony Cornish, Member, Minnesota Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Enforcement
Summary:  Modifies enforcement and penalty provisions; provides criminal penalties.
Status:  To House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance on February 22
 
Introduced:  02/23/17
Sponsor:  Representative Dan Fabian
Issue Brief:  Invasive Species
Summary:  Relates to natural resources; modifies invasive species provisions; modifies provisions to take, possess, and transport wildlife; requires rulemaking.
Status:  To House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance on February 23
 
Introduced:  02/27/17
Sponsor: Representative Rick Hansen, Member, Minnesota Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Modern Restraining Animal Traps
Summary:  Modifies body-gripping trap provisions.
Status:  To House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance on February 27

Introduced:  02/27/17
Sponsor:  Representative Dale Lueck
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Modifies requirements for importing minnows.
Status:  To House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance on February 27
 
Introduced:  02/22/17
Sponsor:  Representative Robert Ecklund
Issue Brief:  Internet Based Hunter's Education Course
Summary:  Requires competitive bids for providing certain online courses.
Status:  To House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance on February 27
 
Introduced:  01/19/2017
Sponsor:  Senator David Senjem
Issue Brief:  Budget Bills
Summary:  Relates to capital investment; authorizes spending to acquire and better public land and building and other improvements of a capital nature with certain conditions.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Finance on February 22
 
Introduced:  02/06/17
Sponsor:  Senator Caroline Ruud
Issue Brief:  Budget Bills
Summary:  Relates to natural resources; appropriates money for local recreation grants.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Finance on February 22

Introduced:  2/09/17
Sponsor: Senator Bill Ingebrigsten, Member, Minnesota Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General License
Summary:  Relates to game and fish; eliminates dedication of certain license revenue for wolf management and monitoring.
Status:  Rereferred to Senate Committee on Finance on March 1

Introduced:  02/22/17
Sponsor:  Senator Andrew Lang
Issue Brief:   General
Summary:  Allows use of night vision equipment when hunting coyotes.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance on February 22

Introduced:  02/22/17
Sponsor:  Senator Andrew Mathews
Issue Brief:  Invasive Species
Summary:  Authorizes permit for releasing certain invasive carp.
To Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance on February 23

Introduced:  02/22/17
Sponsor:  Senator David Tomassoni
Issue Brief:  Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  Requires a person authorized to issue hunting and fishing licenses to issue licenses to certain disabled residents without charging a fee.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance on February 22
 
Introduced:  02/23/17
Sponsor:  Senator Caroline Ruud
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Modifies requirements for importing minnows.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance on February 23
 
Introduced:  02/23/17
Sponsor:  Senator Justin Eichorn
Issue Brief:  Enforcement
Summary:  Modifies enforcement and penalty provisions; provides criminal penalties.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance on February 23
 
Introduced:  02/23/17
Sponsor:  Senator Karin Housley
Issue Brief:  Public Access to Private Lands
Summary:  Prohibits trapping without written permission on certain private lands.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance on February 23
 
Introduced:  02/27/17
Sponsor:  Senator John Hoffman
Issue Brief:  Modern Restraining Animal Traps
Summary:  Modifies body-gripping trap provisions.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance on February 27
 
Introduced:  02/27/17
Sponsor:  Senator John Hoffman
Issue Brief:  Wolf in Sheep's Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups
Summary:  Prohibits the use of snares to take wild animals.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance on February 27

Introduced:  02/27/17
Sponsor:  Senator Caroline Ruud
Issue Brief:  Budget Bill
Summary:  Relates to capital investment; appropriates money for RIM and other conservation purposes; authorizes the sale and issuance of state bonds.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Capital Investment on February 27
 
Introduced:  02/27/17
Sponsor:  Senator Foung Hawj
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Modifies wolf mortality reporting requirements.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance on February 27
 
Introduced: 01/09/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Randy Dunn
Issue Brief:  Game Meat Donation Programs
Summary:  Allows donations of meat, eggs, milk, grains, fruits, and vegetables to a food pantry to qualify for a tax credit.
Status:  To House Committee on Rules - Administrative Oversight on February 23
 
Introduced: 02/28/2017
Sponsor: Representative Nick Marshall, Member, Missouri Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Guns (General)
Summary:  Prohibits sheriffs from releasing the name or personal information of any person issued a concealed carry permit, except under certain limited circumstances.
Status:  Introduced on February 28
 
Introduced:  01/03/2017
Sponsor:  House Appropriations Committee
Issue Brief:  Budget Bills
Summary:  Provides an appropriation for defraying the expenses of the game and fish department.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Appropriations on February 23
 
Introduced: 02/06/2017
Sponsor: Representative John Enns, Member, Oklahoma Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Feral Hogs
Summary: Relates to agriculture; relates to wildlife services; updates agency name; includes feral swine in wildlife damage management; specifies management shall include damage to resources; provides collected parts or byproducts of commercial value shall be sold; specifies type of firearm certain agents authorized to carry; requires background check and training; provides an effective date.
Status: Passed House. To Senate on February 22
 
Introduced: 02/06/2017
Sponsor: Senator Nathan Dahm
Issue Brief: Feral Hogs, Enforcement
Summary:  Relates to game and fish; relates to the removal of feral swine; exempts persons who remove feral swine from the requirement to obtain a license; allows for use of certain technology; relates to the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Code; amends definition; relates to permits to control nuisance or damage by wildlife; clarifies statutory language.
Status: From Senate Committee on Agriculture And Wildlife: Do Pass As Substituted on February 28
 
Introduced:  02/06/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Josh Brecheen
Issue Brief:  Feral Hogs
Summary:  Relates to wildlife; relates to permits to control nuisance or damage by wildlife; adds species to control; provides an effective date.
Status: From Senate Committee on Agriculture and Wildlife: Do pass as substituted on February 28
 
Introduced: 0 1/25/17
Sponsor:  Representative Elizabeth May
Issue Brief:  General License
Summary:  Revises certain provisions regarding resident fishing possession limits.
Status:  To Governor on March 1

Introduced:  02/1/17
Sponsor:  Representative Taffy Howard
Issue Brief:  Substandard Kennels
Summary:  Revises certain provisions regarding the regulation of commercial breeding operations.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on February 23
 
Introduced:  01/26/2017
Sponsor: Senator Brock Greenfield, Member, South Dakota Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General License
Summary:  Revises the area where certain nonresident waterfowl licenses may be issued.
Status:  Passed House on February 28

Introduced:  01/26/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Ryan Maher
Issue Brief:  General License
Summary:  Revises provisions regarding the amount licensing agents may collect on the sale of certain licenses for the Department of Game, Fish and Parks.
Status:  In House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources: Deferred to the 41st legislative day
 
Introduced:  01/31/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Al Novstrup
Summary:  Provides for the permitting of waterfowl outfitters, and to dedicate fees and surcharges paid by waterfowl outfitters for use on certain game production areas.
Status:  Failed to pass Senate on February 23
 
Introduced: 02/02/2017
Sponsor: Senator Charles Perry
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to a fee for participation in the Managed Lands Deer Program of the Parks and Wildlife Department.
Status: To Senate Committee on Agriculture, Water, and Rural Affairs on February 21
 
Introduced:  02/22/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member Dianne Hesselbein, Member, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus.
Issue Brief:  Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  Relates to an exemption for resident disabled veterans and for recipients of the purple heart medal from the cumulative preference system for issuing wild turkey hunting licenses and tags.
Status:  To Assembly Committee on Natural Resources and Sporting Heritage on February 22
 
Introduced:  02/21/2017
Sponsor: Senator Terry Moulton, Co-Chair, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus.
Issue Brief:  Chronic Wasting Disease
Summary:  Relates to rules that prohibit feeding deer in certain counties.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Sporting Heritage, Mining, and Forestry on February 21



WESTWESTERN STATES  


Introduced : 02/22/2017
Sponsor: Senator Cathy Giessel, Member, Alaska Legislative Outdoor Heritage Caucus
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Supports the Alaska Congressional delegation in protecting the state's right to manage wildlife within its borders.
Status : Introduced and passed Senate on February 22

Introduced:  01/18/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Jay Lawrence
Issue Briefs: General
Summary:  Relates to unlawful discharge of firearms; exempts rat shot or snake shot pellets.
Status:  From Senate Committee on Government: Do pass on March 1
 
Introduced:  01/18/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Gail Griffin, Member, Arizona Legislators for Wildlife
Issue Briefs: General, Apprentice Hunting License,   Enforcement
Summary:  Relates to The Department of Game and Fish omnibus.
Status:  From House Committee on Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources: Do pass on February 28
 
 
Introduced:  01/18/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Gail Griffin, Member, Arizona Legislators for Wildlife
Issue Briefs: General
Summary:  Relates to the Endangered Species Act; r elates to critical habitat; relates to expansion; relates to urging repeal.
Status:  From House Committee on Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources: Do pass on February 28
 
Introduced:  01/26/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Gail Griffin, Member, Arizona Legislators for Wildlife
Issue Brief: General 
Summary:  Relates to urging delisting of gray wolf.
Status:  Passed Senate. To House on February 27
 
Introduced:  02/13/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member Jim Frazier, Co-Chair, California Outdoor Sporting Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  Requires the Department of Water Resources to establish an incentive program for landowners who cultivate or retain nonirrigated cover crops or natural vegetation on idled agricultural lands to provide waterfowl, upland game bird, and other wildlife habitat.
Status:  To Assembly Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife on February 27
 
Introduced:  02/13/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member Marie Waldron, Member, California Outdoor Sporting Caucus
Issue Brief: Licenses (General)
Summary:  Raises the age at which a person is required to obtain a sport fishing license to 18 years of age or older.
Status:  To Assembly Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife on February 27
 
Introduced:  02/13/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member Jim Frazier, Co-Chair, California Outdoor Sporting Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  Deletes the established fee for a resident elk tag. Sets the fee at the average price of the fees required for resident elk tags issued by specified states, as determined annually by the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Status:  To Assembly Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife on February 27
 
Introduced:  01/25/2017
Sponsor: Senator Tom Berryhill, Member, California Outdoor Sporting Caucus
Issue Brief: Licenses (General)
Summary:  Makes nonsubstantive changes to existing law which requires the Department of Fish and Wildlife and authorized license agents to issue sport fishing licenses that are valid for various periods of time upon payment of the fee applicable to the particular license.
Status:  Re-referred to Committee on Rules on February 27
 
Introduced:  01/23/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Scott Saiki
Issue Brief: Wolf in Sheeps Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups
Summary:  Establishes licensing requirement for dog breeders and clarifies and strengthens laws pertaining to abandonment of or cruelty to animals.
Status:  In Committee: Measure Deferred on March 1
 
Introduced:  01/23/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Kaniela Ing
Issue Brief: General 
Summary:  Establishes a goal for the Department of Land and Natural Resources to designate and adopt rules for the management of no fewer than four community-based subsistence fishing areas by December 31, 2020; establishes designation process and rule requirements.
Status:  In House Committee on Finance: Voted do pass with amendment on February 24
 
Introduced:  01/23/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Joseph Souki
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  Requires any rule adopted by Department of Land and Natural Resources that restricts the fishing of bottomfish to include peer-reviewed scientific evidence that establishes the environmental necessity of the rule.
Status:  In House Committee on Judiciary: Voted do pass with amendment on February 28

Introduced:  01/23/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Clarence Nishihara
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  Provides every person who brings or by any other manner causes to be brought a firearm of any description, shall register the firearm within five days after arrival of the person or of the firearm, whichever arrives later, with the chief of police of the county of the person's place of business or, residence or, place of sojourn; provided that the duty to register the firearm shall be an ongoing one, and failure to register the firearm within five days of arrival shall not relieve the person of the duty.
Status: From Senate Committee on Judiciary and Labor: Do pass as amended on March 1
 
Introduced : 02/14/2017
Sponsor: House Resources and Conservation Committee
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Amends existing law to revise moneys to be deposited into the Idaho Department of Fish and Game Set-aside Account.
Status : Passed House; to Senate on February 27
 
Introduced : 02/14/2017
Sponsor: House Resources and Conservation Committee
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding Idaho's primacy over the management of its, wildlife and water resources; provides that any introduction or reintroduction without state consultation and approval is prohibited.
Status : Placed on Third Reading Calendar until February 27
 
Introduced : 02/24/2017
Sponsor: House Resources and Conservation Committee
Issue Brief : General License; Invasive Species
Summary : Amends existing law to increase the sticker fee for the boats of nonresidents.
Status : Referred to House Committee on Judiciary, Rules, and Administration on February 27
 
Introduced : 03/1/17
Sponsor: House Health and Welfare Committee
Issue Brief : General License
Summary : Amends and adds to existing law to provide for the use of sums for fishing access; to revise provisions relating to moneys paid into the fish and game set-aside account; to provide for the use of moneys derived from certain license endorsements; to revise provisions relating to the transfer of certain amounts from the expendable big game depredation fund; to revise conditions and requirements regarding payment for certain damages due to depredation; to revise certain deposit provisions regarding the fish and game set-aside account; to provide for three year nonresident junior fishing licenses; to provide for license endorsements to fund wildlife depredation compensation and prevention and sportsmen access programs; to revise certain license fees; to revise provisions relating to procedures associated with depredation claims; and to provide that methods of determining forage utilization and damage or loss due to wildlife may include exclosure cages or other devices.
Status : Introduced, read for printing, and referred to House Committee on Resources and Conservation on March 1
 
Introduced : 01/24/2017
Sponsor: Senate Resources and Environment Committee
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Amends existing law to revise certain license, tag and permit provisions; provides for grizzly bear tags; requires taxidermist and fur buyer's licenses for those that engage in the business of buying certain skins and parts of specified animals; requires the retention of records for those who purchase certain skins and parts of specified animals; revises reporting requirements regarding the taking of certain wolves.
Status : From House Committee 0n Resources and Conservation: Do pass on February 24
 
Introduced : 02/27/2017
Sponsor: Senate Committee on State Affairs
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Amends existing law to provide that individuals or landowners that have been issued a kill permit by the director of the Department of or his designee may, in conjunction with their responsibility for field dressing the animals taken, keep one animal for their personal use; provides that under certain conditions a second animal subsequently taken may be kept by the individual or landowner.
Status : Referred to Senate Committee on Resources and Environment on February 28
 
Introduced : 12/12/2016
Sponsor: Representative Mike Cuffe, Member, Montana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : Exotic Invasive Species
Summary : Revises aquatic invasive species; relates to environmental protection; relates to fish and wildlife; relates to water.
Status : Draft taken off hold on February 24
 
Introduced : 01/2/2017
Sponsor: Representative Denley Loge
Issue Brief : Access to Private Lands
Summary : Increases block management landowner payment cap; relates to fish and wildlife; relates to property.
Status : Passed House. To Senate on February 23
 
Introduced : 01/27/2017
Sponsor: Senator Kelly Flynn, Member, Montana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : General License
Summary : Revises distribution of base hunting license revenue; relates to fish and wildlife; relates to state revenue.
Status : Tabled on February 23
 
Introduced : 01/5/2017
Sponsor: Representative Jeremy Trebas
Issue Brief : Game Meat Donation Programs
Summary : Authorizes certain nonprofit retail food establishments to use wild game and fish meat in meals served for no charge; provides rulemaking authority; provides definition.
Status : Chaptered on February 17
 
Introduced : 01/26/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Bradley Maxon Hamlett
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Revises the administration of recreational resource programs; administratively attaching the State Parks and Recreation Board to the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks; clarifies departmental and board powers and duties related to start parks and boating, snowmobile, and off-highway vehicle programs; authorizes the hiring of an executive director of state parks and recreation; provides a statutory appropriation; provides rulemaking authority.
Status : In House; passed 3rd reading on February 27

Introduced : 02/2/2017
Sponsor: Representative Becky Beard, Member, Montana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : General License
Summary : Creates voluntary hunting license check-off for predator management; relates to appropriations; relates to fish and wildlife; relates to state revenue.
Status : To Senate Committee on Fish and Game on February 23
 
Introduced : 02/10/2017
Sponsor: Representative Kelly Flynn, Member, Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Creates Montana wildlife habitat improvement act; relates to appropriations; relates to environmental protection; relates to fish and wildlife; relates to rule making.
Status : From House Committee on Fish, Wildlife and Parks: Do pass as amended on February 23
 
Introduced : 02/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative Kerry White, Member, Montana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : General License
Summary : Revises laws related to nonresident hunting; relates to fish and wildlife; relates to state revenue.
Status : To House Committee on Fish, Wildlife and Parks on February 24

Introduced : 02/24/2017
Sponsor: Representative Willis Curdy, Member, Montana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : Substandard Kennels
Summary : Requires licensure and inspection for pet breeders; relates to appropriations; relates to consumer protection; relates to professions and occupations generally; relates to professions and occupations; relates to state revenue; relates to rule making.
Status : Hearing scheduled in House Committee on Business and Labor on March 9

Introduced : 01/2/2017
Sponsor: Senator JP Pomnichowski, Member, Montana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : General License
Summary : Allows electronic validation of electronic hunting licenses or tags for game animals and wild turkeys; excludes the collection of hunter location data through the use of a global positioning system.
Status : Returned from enrolling on February 23
 
Introduced : 01/30/2017
Sponsor: Senator Cary Smith, Member, Montana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : Exotic Invasive Species
Summary : Prohibits restriction of certain deer permits; relates to fish and wildlife; relates to state revenue.
Status : To House Committee on Fish, Wildlife and Parks on February 23
 
Introduced : 02/6/2017
Sponsor: Senator Jill Cohenour, Co-Chair, Montana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : Access to Private Lands
Summary : Allows limited spear fishing of game fish; relates to fish and wildlife; relates to rule making.
Status : Passed Senate; to House on February 24
 
Introduced:  Prefiled 02/27/2017
Sponsor: Senate Committee on Natural Resources
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  Makes various changes relating to wildlife.
Status:  Filed on February 27

 
Introduced:  Prefiled 02/27/2017
Sponsor:  Assemblywoman Heidi Swank
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  Revises provisions governing wildlife.
Status:  Filed on February 27
 
Introduced:  0 2/27/17
Sponsor: Senator Mo Denis, Co-Chair, Nevada Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: C reates the Nevada Wildlife Public Education Council within the Department of Wildlife.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Natural Resources on February 27
 
Introduced : 01/17/2017
Sponsor : Representative Stephanie Garcia Richard
Issue Brief : NICS
Summary : Relates to crime; requires criminal background checks on gun transfers between certain persons; provides exceptions; provides penalties.
Status : Withdrawn from Calendar and re-referred to House Committee on Judiciary on February 16
 
Introduced : 02/1/2017
Sponsor: Office of the Governor
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Directs State Marine Board to create Non-motorized Boating Program; defines "non-motorized boat" and "non-motorized craft"; establishes Non-motorized Boating Program Fund; requires person using non-motorized craft on river or stream to wear life jacket; punishes by maximum fine of $30.
Status : Hearing held in House Transportation Committee on March 1
 
Introduced : 2/1/2017
Sponsor: Representative Knute Buehler
Issue Brief : Game Meat Donation Programs
Summary : Modifies requirements relating to donating game meat to charitable organizations.
Status : Work session scheduled in House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on March 7
 
Introduced : 2/1/2017
Sponsor: Representative Brad Witt, Co-Chair, Oregon Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : Apprentice Hunting
Summary : Authorizes State Fish and Wildlife Commission to adopt adult hunter mentoring program.
Status : Public hearing scheduled in House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on March 7
 
Introduced : 2/1/2017
Sponsor: Representative Dan Rayfield
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Permits part or product of animal species covered by wildlife trafficking prevention program to be distributed, sold or have legal ownership transferred to bona fide scientific or educational institutional for scientific or educational purposes; clarifies definition of "covered animal species."; makes conforming changes; declares emergency, effective on passage.
Status : Public hearing held in House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on February 28
 
Introduced : 2/27/2017
Sponsor: Representative Mark Johnson
Issue Brief : General License
Summary : Directs State Fish and Wildlife Commission to implement reduced fee schedule for hunting and fishing licenses for individuals who are not residents of Oregon but who pay Oregon state income taxes; requires commission to implement fee schedule no later than January 1, 2019.
Status : Introduced on February 27
 
Introduced:  01/23/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Carl Albrecht
Issue Brief: General 
Summary:  Modifies provisions related to the release or transplantation of species.
Status:  Passed Senate on February 23
 
Introduced:  02/13/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Ken Ivory
Issue Brief: General, Exotic Invasive Species
Summary:  Demands that the federal government take steps to humanely reduce the wild horse and burro population in the state, either by relinquishing federal control to the state or completely fulfilling the mandate of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971.
Status:  To House Committee on Rules on February 28
 
Introduced:  02/16/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Michael Noel
Issue Brief: No-Net-Loss
Summary:  Supports access and recreation on lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management in Utah.
Status:  To House Committee on Rules on February 28

Introduced:  02/28/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Evan Vickers
Issue Brief: Ammunition Restrictions (non-lead)
Summary:  Recognizes the importance of hunting and fishing to Utah's heritage and economy, and recommends that the Division of Wildlife Resources and the Wildlife Board continue to protect the state's authority to regulate the uses of ammunition that contain lead.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Rules on February 28
 
Introduced : 01/11/2017
Sponsor: Representative David Sawyer
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Concerns tribal consultation regarding hunting rights and activities.
Status : Withdrawn from House Committee on Rules: Placed on 2nd Reading on February 24
 
Introduced : 1/20/2017
Sponsor: Representative Brian Blake, Co-Chair, Washington Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : Access to Private Lands
Summary : Concerns the development of cooperative agreements to expand recreational access on privately owned lands.
Status : Passed House and sent to Senate on February 27

Introduced : 01/25/2017
Sponsor: Representative Brian Blake, Co-Chair, Washington Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : General License
Summary : Increases revenue to the state wildlife account by increasing commercial fishing license fees and streamlining wholesale fish dealing, buying, and selling requirements.
Status : Executive Session held in House Committee on Appropriations on February 24
 
Introduced : 01/27/2017
Sponsor: Representative Laurie Jinkins
Issue Brief : Guns
Summary : Concerns firearms sales and transfers.
Status : Withdrawn from House Committee on Rules: Placed on 2nd Reading on February 24

Introduced : 01/25/2017
Sponsor: Senator Phil Fortunato, Co-Chair, Washington Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Concerns expanding the permitted uses of surplus funds from boater education card fees to certain boating safety programs and activities.
Status : To House Committee on Appropriations on February 24
 
Introduced : 1/25/2017
Sponsor: Senator Kirk Pearson, Member, Washington Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Initiates proactive steps to address elk hoof disease.
Status : Passed Senate (49-0); to House on March 1
 
Introduced : 01/10/2017
Sponsor : Representative Aaron Clausen
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Relates to game and fish; prohibits collection of antlers and horns on private property as specified; provides a penalty; provides for an effective date.
Status : Passed Senate (28-1) on February 24
 
Introduced : 01/10/2017
Sponsor : Representative Eric Barlow
Issue Brief : General License
Summary : Relates to game animal licenses; modifies restrictions imposed on applications for big or trophy fame animal licenses; amends provisions regarding mountain goats.
Status : Did not consider in Committee of the Whole on February 27
 
Introduced : 01/11/2017
Sponsor : Representative Jim Allen
Issue Brief : General License
Summary : Provides for nonresident fishing licenses; exempts holders of such licenses from conservation stamp purchase requirement; relates to hunting and fishing under specific licenses; provides for fees.
Status : Passed Senate (25-4) on February 24
 
Introduced : 01/12/2017
Sponsor : Representative Tyler Lindholm
Issue Brief : Animal Traps, Hunting Dogs
Summary : Relates to harvest of trophy game and fur-bearing animals; specifies determinations of allowable harvests for mountain lions and bobcats; reserves a certain percentage of mountain lion licenses for residents as specified; regulates use of dogs for residents and nonresidents during hunting and trapping season; prohibits use of dogs to harass trophy game animals; provides that dogs injuring big or trophy game animals may be killed.
Status : House concurred with Senate amendments on March 1
 
Introduced : 01/24/2017
Sponsor : Representative David Miller
Issue Brief : Apprentice Hunting License, Hunter Education, Recruitment
Summary : Relates to game and fish; provides an exception to the hunter safety certificate requirement for hunting small game and game birds with a mentor; specifies requirements; relates to the use and handling of firearms; provides rulemaking authority; provides for an effective date.
Status : Passed Senate (17-13) on February 28
 
Introduced : 01/27/2017
Sponsor : Representative Tim Salazar
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Relates to game and fish; provides for designation of wolves in specified areas as trophy game animals for purposes of compensation payments for damages; relates to arbitration; specifies applicability; provides for rulemaking; provides for an effective date.
Status : Passed Senate (28-2). To House for concurrence on March 1
 
Introduced : 01/30/2017
Sponsor : House Appropriations Committee
Issue Brief : General License
Summary : Relates to game and fish; increases certain fees relating to game and fish licenses, preference points, permits, applications, and stamps; increases certain watercraft fees administered by the game and fish department; provides for an effective date.
Status : Amended on Senate floor and passed Senate (20-10). To House for concurrence on March 1
                       
Introduced : 01/10/2017
Sponsor : Senator Jim Anderson
Issue Brief : General License
Summary : Relates to game and fish; provides that the commission may issue licenses for one additional special antelope hunt per year; provides for complimentary licenses, antelope hunt licenses, gunpowder and buckskin hunt licenses, gratuitous licenses and donated licenses.
Status : Did not consider in Committee of the Whole on February 28
 
Introduced : 01/10/2017
Sponsor : Senate Select Committee on Natural Resource Funding
Issue Brief : Conservation Funding
Summary : Relates to the Wildlife and Natural Resource Funding Act; provides for funding of large projects under that act; requires certifications regarding kickbacks and gifts; provides appropriations; provides for reversion of funds; provides that no funds shall be disbursed unless the person receiving the funds certifies that no gratuities, kickbacks, gifts, commissions, contingency fees or other considerations have been or will be made in connection with the appropriation or associated grant.
Status : Senate concurred with House amendments (28-1) on February 27
 
Introduced : 01/12/2017
Sponsor : Senator Fred Emerich
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Relates to game and fish; requires the Game and Fish Commission to regulate the possession and importation of certain furbearing animals; authorizes fees for issuance of certain permits; specifies applicability.
Status : Postponed indefinitely on February 27

Introduced : 01/13/2017
Sponsor : Senator Larry Hicks
Issue Brief : General License
Summary : Relates to game and fish; limits allocation of certain complimentary licenses as specified; provides for an effective date.
Status : Did not consider in Committee of the Whole on February 28

Introduced : 01/24/2017
Sponsor : Senator Stephan Pappas
Issue Brief : General License
Summary : Relates to game and fish licenses; amends provisions related to license expirations; requires rulemaking; amends provisions related to reservations of certain unused licenses; makes conforming amendments; provides for effective dates.
Status : Did not consider in Committee of the Whole on February 28
        SCI SCI 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


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