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 
October 2, 2017
NORTHEAST
NORTHEASTERN STATES


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: From Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture: Ought to pass on September 21

Introduced: 02/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative Lori Ehrlich
Issue Brief: Ivory Bans
Summary:  Relates to ivory and rhino horn trafficking.
Status: In Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture: Heard. Eligible for Executive Session on October 3
 
Introduced: 03/20/2017
Sponsor: Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante
Issue Brief: Enforcement
Summary:  Further regulates the enforcement of illegal hunting practices.
Status: From Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture: Ought to pass on October 3
 
Introduced: 02/22/2017
Sponsor: Senator Jason M. Lewis
Issue Brief: Ivory Bans
Summary:  Relates to ivory and rhino horn trafficking.
Status: In Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture: Heard. Eligible for Executive Session on October 3
 
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: From Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture: Amended by sub. Of New Draft. No. not yet assigned on October 3
 
Introduced: 09/21/2017
Sponsor: Representative Steven P. Beaudoin         
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  Permits nonresidents to obtain a falconry license.
Status: Filed on September 21
 
Introduced: 09/21/2017
Sponsor: Representative James A. Spillane            
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  Relates to trapping of rabbits by sportsmen's clubs.
Status: Filed on September 21
 
Introduced: 09/21/2017
Sponsor: Representative James A. Spillane            
Issue Brief: Airguns/Airbows
Summary:  Permits hunting with big bore air rifles.
Status: Filed on September 21
 
Introduced: 09/21/2017
Sponsor: Representative Jonathan F. Manley          
Issue Brief: American System of Conservation Funding
Summary:  Requires a portion of rental fees for canoes, kayaks, and personal watercraft to be deposited into the Fish and Game Search and Rescue Fund.
Status: Filed on September 21

SOUTHEAST
SOUTHEASTERN STATES


Introduced:  Prefiled on 09/28/2017
Sponsor: Representative Brandon Reed, Member, Kentucky Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Urges the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to issue more migratory bird depredation permits and subpermits to allow state farmers to legally take black vultures that are depredating their livestock.
Status:  Prefiled on September 28


MIDWEST MIDWESTERN STATES


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: Signed by Governors Sportsmen's Caucus Member Governor Bruce Rauner on September 22
 
Introduced: 9/20/17
Sponsor : Representative Gary Howell, Member, Michigan Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Establishes deer hunting season to begin on the Saturday closest to November 15.
Status: To House Committee on Natural Resources on September 20
 
Introduced: 9/26/17
Sponsor : Representative Daire Rendon, Member, Michigan Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Provides for foresters registration; relates to preparing management plans for tax exempt qualified forest property.
Status: To House Committee on Natural Resources on September 26
 
Introduced: 9/26/17
Sponsor : Representative Daire Rendon, Member, Michigan Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Revises provisions relating to forester registration program citations.
Status: To House Committee on Natural Resources on September 26
 
Introduced: 9/20/17
Sponsor : Representative James Lower
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Encourages the Natural Resources Commission to add Sandhill cranes to the game species list and seek U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approval to establish a Sandhill crane hunting season.
Status: To House Committee on Natural Resources on September 20
 
Introduced: 8/03/17
Sponsor : Senator Terry Moulton and Senator Mark Miller, 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: In Senate. Amendment No. 1 offered on September 20


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 [email protected]
Director, Southeastern States Bee Frederick, at 202-590-0475, or [email protected]
Senior Director, Midwestern States Chris Horton, at 501-865-1475, or [email protected]
Senior Director, Western States Andy Treharne, at 303-789-7589, or [email protected]


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