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 recent status updates. With questions about specific bills, please contact your 
Updates for the week of 
November 13, 2017
NORTHEAST
NORTHEASTERN STATES

Introduced: 10/06/2017
Sponsor: Senator Andre Cushing, Member, Maine Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Apprentice Hunting License
Summary:  Increases safety on youth hunting day for hunting bear by allowing an accompanying adult to possess a firearm.
Status: Appealed on November 7

Introduced: 01/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative David Paul Linsky
Issue Brief: Standard Capacity Magazines
Summary:  Relates to assault weapon magazine feeding devices.
Status: Scheduled hearing pending for 11/16/2017 on November 7

Introduced: 01/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative David Paul Linsky
Issue Brief: National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS)
Summary:  Relates to universal background checks for private gun sales.
Status: Scheduled hearing pending for 11/16/2017 on November 7

Introduced: 01/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative Marc T. Lombardo
Issue Brief: Modern Sporting Rifle
Summary:  Relates to definition of assault weapons.
Status: Scheduled hearing pending for 11/16/2017 on November 7

Introduced: 01/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative Paul W. Mark
Issue Brief: Guns (General)
Summary:  Permits the carrying of unloaded shotguns and rifles on public ways.
Status: Scheduled hearing pending for 11/16/2017 on November 7

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: Scheduled hearing pending for 11/16/2017 on November 7

Introduced: 01/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative Todd M. Smola, Member, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Guns (General)
Summary:  Relates to the lawful sale of guns. 
Status: Scheduled hearing pending for 11/16/2017 on November 7

Introduced: 01/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative David T. Vieira, Co-Chair, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Guns (General)
Summary:  Relates to the transportation of firearms by non-residents. 
Status: Scheduled hearing pending for 11/16/2017 on November 7

Introduced: 03/08/2017
Sponsor: Representative Angelo L. D'Emilia, Co-Chair, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Ammunition Restrictions (Non-Lead)
Summary:  Allows for the lawful sale of inert ammunition components from certain out-or-state vendors to lawfully licensed gun owners in the Commonwealth.  
Status: Scheduled hearing pending for 11/16/2017 on November 7

Introduced: 03/08/2017
Sponsor: Representative Aaron Michlewitz
Issue Brief: Guns (General)
Summary:  Established a statewide gun offender registry.   
Status: Scheduled hearing pending for 11/16/2017 on November 7

Introduced: 03/08/2017
Sponsor: Representative Todd M. Smola, Member, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Guns (General)
Summary:  Relates to the licensing of firearms.    
Status: Scheduled hearing pending for 11/16/2017 on November 7

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: Scheduled hearing pending for 11/16/2017 on November 7

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: Scheduled hearing pending for 11/16/2017 on November 7

Introduced: 02/22/2017
Sponsor: Senator Donald F. Humason, Member, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Guns (General)
Summary:  Relates to the lawful sale of handguns.
Status: Scheduled hearing pending for 11/16/2017 on November 7

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: Scheduled hearing pending for 11/16/2017 on November 7

Introduced: 02/22/2017
Sponsor: Senator Michael Moore, Member, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Guns (General)
Summary:  Authorizes the Colonel of the State Police, or person authorized by him, to issue a temporary license to carry firearms to certain nonresidents.
Status: Scheduled hearing pending for 11/16/2017 on November 7

Introduced: 02/22/2017
Sponsor: Senator Michael Moore, Member, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Firearm Suppressors
Summary:  Relates to Firearm Suppressors
Status: Scheduled hearing pending for 11/16/2017 on November 7

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: From House Committee on Resources, Recreation and Development: Recommended for interim study on November 9
 
Introduced: 11/07/2017
Sponsor: Representative Stephen J. Shurtleff, Member, New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  Relates to bow and arrow hunting licenses for permanently disables military veterans.
Status: To House Committee on Fish and Game and Marine Resources on November 7
 
Introduced: 11/07/2017
Sponsor: Representative James A. Spillane
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  Relates to fish and game regulations relative to disabled veterans.
Status: To House Committee on Fish and Game and Marine Resources on November 7
 
Introduced: 11/07/2017
Sponsor: Representative John A. Burt, Member, New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Guns (General)
Summary:  Relates to prohibitions of carrying a loaded firearm on an off highway recreational vehicle or snowmobile. 
Status: To House Committee on Resources, Recreation and Development on November 7
 
Introduced: 11/06/2017
Sponsor: Representative James A. Spillane
Issue Brief: Modern Restraining Animal Traps
Summary:  Relates to live trapping of wild rabbits and hares by sporting clubs.
Status: Pre-filed on November 6
 
Introduced: 11/09/2017
Sponsor: Representative Delmar D. Burridge
Issue Brief: Guns (General)
Summary:  Prohibits open carry of a firearm in certain public places.
Status: To House Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety on November 9
 
Introduced: 11/13/2017
Sponsor: Representative James A. Spillane
Issue Brief: Airguns/Airbows
Summary:  Permits hunting with an air rifle.
Status: To House Committee on Fish and Game and Marine Resources on November 13
 
Introduced: 11/09/2017
Sponsor: Senator Shirley K. Turner
Issue Brief: Ammunition Restrictions (Non-Lead)
Summary:  Prohibits mail order, internet, telephone, and any other anonymous method of ammunition sale or transfer in New Jersey.
Status: To Senate Committee on Law and Public Safety on November 9
 
Introduced: 11/09/2017
Sponsor: Senator Shirley K. Turner
Issue Brief: Ammunition Restrictions (Non-Lead)
Summary:  Criminalizes purchase or possession of firearms ammunition by persons convicted of certain crimes.
Status: To Senate Committee on Law and Public Safety on November 9

SOUTHEAST
SOUTHEASTERN STATES


Introduced:  08/18/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Kristin Diane Jacobs 
Issue Brief:  Angling Access, Marine Protected Areas
Summary: Relates to coral reefs; establishes the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Ecosystem Conservation Area
Status:  From House Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee: reported favorably, and to House Committee on Government Accountability on November 15
 
Introduced:  11/07/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Robert Olszewski
Issue Brief: General, Prescribed Fire
Summary:  Relates to black bears; prohibits the recreational hunting of black bears mothering cubs of a specified weight; specifies a penalty for the unlawful harvesting of saw palmetto berries on state lands
Status:  To House Natural Resources and Public Lands Subcommittee, and referred to House Agriculture and Property Rights Committee and House Committee on Government Accountability on November 15


MIDWEST MIDWESTERN STATES

Introduced: 4/26/17
Sponsor : Representative Curt VanderWall, Member, Michigan Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General License
Summary: Establishes nonresident 3-day small game license.
Status: To Senate Committee on Outdoor Recreation and Tourism on November 9
 
Introduced: 11/08/17
Sponsor : Representative Curt VanderWall, Member, Michigan Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Hunter Recruitment, Retention, Reactivation
Summary: Establishes criteria and requirements for the taking of deer during the youth hunt weekend.
Status: To House Committee on Natural Resources on November 8
 
Introduced:   2/15/17
Sponsor: Senator John Proos, Member, Michigan Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Invasive Species
Summary:  Supports the recommendations of the Chicago Area Waterway System Advisory Committee to prevent Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes.
Status:  Reported from House committee on Tourism and Outdoor Recreation with substitute (H-1) on November 8
 
Introduced: 5/08/17
Sponsor : Representative Joel Kleefisch, Co-Chair, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Authorizes a person to hunt from a motor vehicle equipped with a mechanized lift.
Status: To Senate Committee on Senate Organization on November 6

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:  Signed by Governor Scott Walker, Member, Governors Sportsmen's Caucus, on November 11
 
Introduced: 7/14/17
Sponsor : Representative Dave Murphy
Issue Brief: General License
Summary: Relates to issuance of sturgeon spearing licenses via raffle by the Sturgeon for Tomorrow, Inc., organization.
Status: To Senate Committee on Sporting Heritage, Mining, and Forestry on November 6
 
Introduced: 7/26/17
Sponsor : Representative Joel Kleefisch, Co-Chair, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Apprentice Hunting Licenses
Summary: Relates to age and hunting restrictions applicable to the hunting mentorship program.
Status: Signed by Governor Scott Walker, Member, Governors Sportsmen's Caucus, on November 11
 
Introduced: 8/02/17
Sponsor : Representative Nick Milroy and Representative Joel Kleefisch, Co-Chairs, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Terminally Ill Youth Hunting Opportunities
Summary: Relates to hunting approvals issued to certain terminally ill individuals.
Status: To Senate Committee on Sporting Heritage, Mining, and Forestry on November 6

Introduced: 8/07/17
Sponsor : Representative James Edming, Member, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief Modern Restraining Animal Traps
Summary: Relates to the maximum height of pole traps.
Status: To Senate Committee on Sporting Heritage, Mining, and Forestry on November 6
 
Introduced: 9/7/17
Sponsor : Representative Ken Skowronski, Member, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary: Relates to resident deer hunting license, archer hunting license, and crossbow hunting license fees imposed for a veteran who is 70 years of age or older.
Status: To Senate Committee on Sporting Heritage, Mining, and Forestry on November 6
 
Introduced: 9/7/17
Sponsor : Representative Joel Kleefisch, Co-Chair, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General License
Summary: Relates to the fee for a first-time annual fishing license for residents who are 16 or 17 years old or who are 65 years old or older.
Status: To Senate Committee on Sporting Heritage, Mining, and Forestry on November 6
 
Introduced: 10/10/17
Sponsor : Representative Joel Kleefisch and Representative Nick Milroy, Co-Chairs, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General License
Summary: Relates to restrictions on the hunting of antlerless deer by members of a group hunting party.
Status: Signed by Governor Scott Walker, Member, Governors Sportsmen's Caucus, on November 11

Introduced: 11/09/17
Sponsor : Representative Joel Kleefisch and Representative Nick Milroy, Co-Chairs, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to establishing an open season for hunting deer with muzzle-loading firearms within the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.
Status:  To Assembly Committee on Natural Resources and Sporting Heritage on November 9
 
Introduced: 5/5/17
Sponsor : Senators Terry Moulton and Mark Miller, Co-Chairs, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to a uniform end date for certain open hunting and trapping seasons.
Status: Signed by Governor Scott Walker, Member, Governors Sportsmen's Caucus, on November 11

Introduced: 11/06/17
Sponsor : Senators Terry Moulton and Mark Miller, Co-Chairs, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to establishing an open season for hunting deer with muzzle-loading firearms within the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.
Status: To Senate Committee on Sporting Heritage, Mining, and Forestry on November 6
 
Introduced: 11/06/17
Sponsor : Senators Terry Moulton, Co-Chair, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Apprentice Hunting License
Summary: Relates to youth and trapping; creates a mentored trapping license; creates restrictions on taking or appropriating a trap or its contents; creates requirements for tagging traps.
Status: To Senate Committee on Sporting Heritage, Mining, and Forestry on November 6


WESTWESTERN STATES

There are currently no updates.

        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: 
 
Senior Director, Northeastern States Brent Miller, at 202-543-6850 x13, or brent@sportsmenslink.org
Director, Southeastern States Bee Frederick, at 202-590-0475, or bee@sportsmenslink.org
Senior Director, Midwestern States Chris Horton, at 501-865-1475, or chris@sportsmenslink.org
Senior Director, Western States Andy Treharne, at 303-789-7589, or andy@sportsmenslink.org


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