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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.
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.
Due to the high volume of legislation, Tracking the Capitols only includes bills that have had status updates within the last week. With questions about specific bills, please contact your
regional CSF staff member.
Programming note:
In observance of the July 4th holiday, there will not be a newsletter next week. Newsletters will resume on the week of July 10.
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Updates for the week of
June 26, 2017
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 NORTHEASTERN STATES
Introduced:
02/15/2017
Sponsor: Senator Thomas B. Saviello, Co-Chair, Maine Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:
Forest Management
Summary:
This bill implements the recommendations of the Commission To Study the Public Reserved Lands Management Fund. The bill establishes additional guidelines that must be followed by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry before it may adopt any rule that would make changes to the annual allowable harvesting level for public reserved lands and nonreserved public lands. The bill directs the department to conduct a detailed forest inventory of the State's public reserved lands.
Status:
Line Item Vetoed by Governor. Line Item Veto overridden by Senate on June 21
Introduced:
03/07/2016
Sponsor: Senator Jeff Van Drew, Member, New Jersey Angling and Hunting Conservation Caucus
Issue Brief:
General
Summary:
Designates the striped bass, Morone saxatilis, as the New Jersey saltwater fish; redesignates the brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis, as the New Jersey State Freshwater Fish.
Status:
Substituted for A 3342. Passed Assembly. To Governor on June 22
Introduced:
04/12/2017
Sponsor:
Assembly Member Fred W. Thiele
Issue Brief:
General
Summary:
Extends for three years the effectiveness of certain provisions relating to defining spearguns and allowing recreational spearfishing in marine and coastal waters.
Status:
To Governor on June 23
Introduced:
01/04/2017
Sponsor: Senator Joseph E. Robach, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:
Enforcement
Summary:
Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; relates to the illegal taking of deer.
Status:
Substituted by A 556 on June 21
Introduced:
05/11/2017
Sponsor: Senator James L. Seward, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:
Enforcement
Summary:
Makes it a misdemeanor to take or attempt to take big game outside of legal hunting hours and makes it a class D felony if another person is injured during the commission of such; relates to failure to render aid.
Status:
To Senate Committee on Rules on June 21
Introduced:
02/07/2017
Sponsor: Representative Harold A. English, Member, Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:
Enforcement
Summary:
Relates to hunting and furtaking; provides for killing game or wildlife by mistake; relates to hunting and furtaking licenses; provides for period of revocation.
Status:
To Senate Committee on Game and Fisheries on June 22
Introduced:
04/12/2017
Sponsor: Representative Karen Boback, Member, Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:
Fishing Reciprocity; Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:
Relates to fishing licenses; provides for active duty military fishing reciprocity; relates to hunting and furtaking licenses; provides for active duty military hunting reciprocity.
Status:
To Senate Committee on Game and Fisheries on June 22
SOUTHEASTERN STATES
Introduced:
02/08/2017
Sponsor: Representative Pat McElraft, Member, North Carolina Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:
Freshwater Angling Access
Summary:
Amends various environmental laws.
Status: To conference committee on June 29
Introduced:
03/08/2017
Sponsor: Representative Lee Zachary, Member, North Carolina Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:
Modern Restraining Animal Traps
Summary:
P
ermits fox and coyote trapping in Yadkin County.
Status:
Passed Senate, ratified for presentation, and became law upon ratification on June 28. Session Law Number 2017-73
North Carolina H 385
Introduced:
03/20/2017
Sponsor:
Representative Graig Meyer
Issue Brief:
General
Summary:
Prohibits hunting on private property in Orange County while under the influence of an impairing substance.
Status:
Ratified for presentation and became law upon ratification on June 27. Session Law
Number 2017-54
Introduced: 04/05/2017
Sponsor: Representative Chris Millis, Member, North Carolina Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:
Sunday Hunting
Summary:
Expands the use of firearms for hunting of wild animals and upland game birds on Sunday; allows hunting of migratory birds on Sunday.
Status:
Conference committee report adopted by Senate and House, and eligible for Governor's desk on June 29
North Carolina S 74
Introduced:
02/15/2017
Sponsor: Senator Jim Davis,
Member, North Carolina Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:
Hunting Dogs
Summary:
Implements the recommendations and guidelines of the national association of state public health veterinarians regarding the management of dogs, cats, and ferrets exposed to rabies.
Status:
To Governor on June 27
Introduced:
03/08/2017
Sponsor: Senator Bill Cook, Member, North Carolina
Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA)
Summary:
(Joint Resolution) Provides support for revisions to policies of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to allow shellfish cultivation and aquaculture activities in the state waters containing submerged aquatic vegetation.
Status:
Ratified for presentation on June 27. Resolution Number 2017-10
North Carolina S 249
Introduced:
03/15/2017
Sponsor: Senator Tom McInnis, Member, North Carolina
Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:
General
Summary:
Creates a coyote tagging and bounty program in Richmond County.
Status:
Ratified for presentation and became law upon ratification on June 26. Session Law Number 2017-46
North Carolina S 410
Introduced:
03/29/2017
Sponsor: Senator William Cook,
Member, North Carolina Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA)
Summary:
Creates a program for the permitting of marine aquaculture activities; requires the division of marine fisheries of the Department of Environmental quality to request the issuance of federal rules to allow marine aquaculture in federal Waters off the coast of the state.
Status:
Ratified for presentation and to Governor on June 29
Ohio S 2
Introduced:
01/31/2017
Sponsor: Senator Cliff Hite, Member, Ohio Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus Member
Issue Brief:
General
Summary:
Revises specified laws relating to environmental protection.
Status: Enrolled on June 26
Introduced:
05/24/2017
Sponsor:
Senator Mitch Carmichael
Issue Brief:
Budget Bills
Summary:
Relates to the Budget Bill.
Status:
Became law without Governor's signature on June 24
MIDWESTERN STATES
Introduced:
02/02/2017
Sponsor:
Representative Tony McCombie
Issue Brief:
Licenses (General)
Summary:
Amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code; provides that non-resident and resident aquatic life dealer licenses, wholesale aquatic life dealer licenses, mussel dealer permits, minnow dealer licenses, taxidermist licenses, aquaculture permits, commercial roe dealer permits, and daily fee fishing area licenses shall all expire on a specified date annually; amends the Wildlife Code to make a conforming change.
Status:
To Governor on June 28
Introduced:
02/09/2017
Sponsor: Representative Jerry Costello, Member, Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:
Crossbows
Summary:
A
mends the Wildlife Code; repeals provision providing that it is unlawful to use any crossbow for the purpose of taking any wild birds or mammals except as provided in the Code; repeals Sections concerning the use of crossbows; provides for an immediate effective date.
Status:
Passed both Houses on June 25
Introduced:
02/09/2017
Sponsor:
Representative Avery Bourne
Issue Brief:
Licenses (General)
Summary:
Amends the Wildlife Code; defines hunting license as an electronic or physical license authorizing the person to take a certain type of animal during a specified period of time.
Status:
To Governor on June 23
Introduced:
02/09/2017
Sponsor:
Representative Sheri Jesiel
Issue Brief:
General
Summary:
Amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code; provides that all trout, including lake trout, salmon, and lake whitefish may not be taken by commercial fishing devices, including gill or pound nets; provides that any incidental catch of trout, including lake trout, salmon, and lake whitefish taken in legal sized gill or pound nets must be returned immediately to the water; provides that the methods of taking are subject to modification by administrative rule based upon lake-wide scientific
assessment data.
Status:
To Governor on June 23
Introduced:
02/09/2017
Sponsor:
Representative Sheri Jesiel
Issue Brief:
General
Summary:
Amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code; provides the maximum number of commercial fishing licenses for taking from the Waters of Lake Michigan yellow perch, bloater chub, and other commercial fish species designated by the Department of Natural Resources; provides that, at times determined by the Director, the Department shall advertise a public drawing to accept new qualified commercial fishing candidates and establish a ranking order for these new candidates.
Status:
To Governor on June 23
Introduced:
02/09/2017
Sponsor:
Representative Sara Feigenholtz
Issue Brief:
General
Summary:
Amends the Wildlife Code; provides that it shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or trap bobcat in this State on or after the effective date of the bill in the specified counties.
Status:
In House. Motion filed to concur in Amendment No. 1. Motion referred to House committee
on Rules on June 25
Introduced:
03/30/2017
Sponsor:
Representative Laura Fine
Issue Brief:
General
Summary:
Urges President Trump and the United States Congress to fully fund the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
Status
:
Passed House on June 22
Introduced:
03/22/2017
Sponsor:
House Appropriations Committee
Issue Brief:
General
Summary:
Makes an amendment; authorizes the Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism to purchase land in Sherman County.
S
tatus: Signed by Governor Sam Brownback, Member, Governors Sportsmen's Caucus on June 23
Introduced:
04/10/2017
Sponsor: Senator Bret Allain, Member, Louisiana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:
Angling Access
Summary:
Limits the permissible uses of monies in the Saltwater Fish Research and Conservation Fund.
Status: Signed by the Governor on June 26
Introduced
: 1/25/2017
Sponsor:
Representative Mary Whiteford, Member, Michigan Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:
Prescribed Fire
Summary:
Provides that before conducting a prescribed burn, the department shall attempt to notify by telephone and electronic mail the township supervisor and the primary public safety answering point of each township where the prescribed burn is to take place; the department shall maintain a record of the notification attempts; provides definitions; relates to the department of natural resources.
Status:
Signed by Governor Rick Snyder, Member, Governors Sportsmen's Caucus on June 28
Introduced:
3/20/17
Sponsor
: Representative Mary Felzkowski
Issue Brief:
General
Summary:
Relates to regulation of aquaculture and fish farms; relates to providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures; grants rule-making authority.
Status:
Signed by Governor Scott Walker, Member, Governors Sportsmen's Caucus on June 23
Introduced:
5/16/17
Sponsor: Representative Joel Kleefisch, Co-Chair, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:
General
Summary:
Relates to requiring an open season for woodchucks.
Status:
Passed Assembly. Sent to Senate on June 21
Introduced:
5/16/17
Sponsor:
Representatives Nick Milroy and Joel Kleefisch, Co-Chairs, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:
General License
Summary:
Relates to the cumulative preference system for issuing Class A bear hunting licenses.
Status:
Laid on the table on June 21
Introduced:
2/21/17
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:
Ordered Enrolled on June 27
Introduced:
5/17/17
Sponsor: Senator Patrick Testin, Member, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:
General License
Summary:
Relates to the cumulative preference system for issuing Class A bear hunting licenses.
Status: Ordered Enrolled on June 27
Introduced:
6/23/17
Sponsor: Senator Kathleen Vinehout, Member, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:
Enforcement
Summary:
Relates to a higher wild animal protection surcharge for the unlawful taking of deer.
Status:
To Senate Committee on Sporting Heritage, Mining, and Forestry on June 23
WESTERN STATES
Introduced:
02/13/2017
Sponsor:
Assembly Member Patrick O'Donnell
Issue Brief:
Anti
Summary:
Prohibits a pet store operator from selling a live dog, cat, or rabbit in a pet store unless the dog, cat, or rabbit was obtained from a public animal control agency or shelter, society for the prevention of cruelty to animals shelter, humane society shelter, or nonprofit rescue or adoption organization that is in a cooperative agreement with at least one private or public shelter. Requires each pet store to maintain records sufficient to document the source of each dog, cat, or rabbit the pet store sells.
Status:
In Senate. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Committee on Business, Professions, and Economic Development on June 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:
In Senate. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Committee on Natural Resources and Water on June 26
Introduced:
12/05/2016
Sponsor:
Senator Ben Allen
Issue Brief:
General
Summary:
Establishes a policy of the state to discourage conveyances of federal public lands in California from the federal government. Specifies that these conveyances are void ab initio unless the state lands commission is provided the right of first refusal or the right to arrange the transfer to a third party. Require the commission, the Wildlife Conservation Board, and the Department of Fish and Wildlife to enter into a memorandum of understanding. Prohibits filing such deed. Provides penalties for violations.
Status: In Assembly. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Committee on Judiciary on June 29
Introduced
: 3/3/2017
Sponsor: Representative Brian Clem, Member, Oregon Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief
: General
Summary
: Establishes Oregon Agricultural Heritage Fund and continuously appropriates moneys in fund to Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board; authorizes use of moneys for purposes associated with supporting use of land for agricultural production, maintenance or enhancement of fish or wildlife habitat, improvement of water quality or support of other natural resource values; establishes programs to provide grants for qualifying conservation management plans, working land conservation covenants or working land.
Status
: Public Hearing and Work Session held in Joint Ways and Means Subcommittee on June 28
Introduced
: 6/21/2017
Sponsor: Representative Ken Helm, Member, Oregon Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief
: Enforcement
Summary
: Authorizes court to impose specified money award for criminal violation of wildlife laws involving unlawful taking of wildlife.
Status
: Introduced on June 21
Introduced
: 2/1/2017
Sponsor: Department of Administrative Services
Issue Brief
: Budget Bills
Summary
: Appropriates moneys from General Fund to State Department of Fish and Wildlife for certain biennial expenses; limits certain biennial expenditures from fees, moneys or other revenues, including Miscellaneous Receipts and federal funds from Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund, but excluding lottery funds and other federal funds, collected or received by department.
Status
: Eligible for Governor's desk on June 26
Introduced
: 3/28/2017
Sponsor: Senator Arnie Roblan, Member, Oregon Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief
: General
Summary
: Declares state policy on ocean acidification and hypoxia; establishes Oregon Coordinating Council on Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia; establishes duties of coordinating council; requires coordinating council to submit biennial report to Legislative Assembly and Ocean Policy Advisory Council by a specified date of each even-numbered year on coordinating council's activities and recommendations.
Status
: Public hearing and work session held in Joint Ways and Means Subcommittee on Natural Resources on June 29
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sponsors in part TRACKING THE CAPITOLS
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