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 6, 2017

NORTHEASTNORTHEASTERN STATES


Introduced: 01/20/2017
Sponsor: Senator Carlo Leone
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary: Provides for discounted hunting, trapping and fishing licenses for certain veterans; promotes activities that may assist rehabilitation and recuperation for veterans with service-connected disabilities.
Status: Public hearing scheduled for February 14
 
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:  Vote to draft on February 8
 
Introduced:  01/12/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Kevin Skulczyck
Issue Brief:  Sunday Hunting Restrictions
Summary:  Allows Sunday hunting on private lands.
Status:  Vote to draft on February 8
 
Introduced:  01/19/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Bob Duff
Issue Brief:  "Big 5" Trophy Importation Ban 
Summary:  Concerns Cecil's law; deters the taking of big-game animals as hunting trophies.
Status:  Vote to draft on February 8

Introduced: 01/12/2017
Sponsor: Representative Robert W. Alley
Issue Brief: White-tailed Deer Management - Hunting as a Preferred Management Tool
Summary: Assists island and coastal communities with controlling excess deer populations.
Status: Public hearing scheduled for February 9

Introduced: 01/31/2017
Sponsor: Representative Seth A. Berry
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary: Allows a veteran who has a service-connected disability evaluated at 100% by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or any branch of the United States Armed Forces who is issued an antlerless deer permit to choose a wildlife management district in which the person may take an antlerless deer as long as that district is open to the taking of antlerless deer.
Status: Senate refers to Joint Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in concurrence on February 2
 
Maine H 255                             
Introduced: 01/31/2017
Sponsor: Representative Nathan J. Wadsworth
Issue Brief: White-tailed Deer Management - Hunting as a Preferred Management Tool
Summary:  This bill limits deer hunters to harvesting only deer with 3 or more tines of one inch or longer along the main beam of either or both antlers.
Status: Senate refers to Joint Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in concurrence on February 2
 
Introduced: 02/01/2017
Sponsor: Representative Phyllis A. Ginzler
Issue Brief: Exotic Invasive Species
Summary: This bill requires that any passive watercraft placed or operated on the inland waters of the State have an invasive aquatic plant and nuisance species sticker affixed on its bow. This sticker may be purchased for a one-time fee of $5, and the fee revenues from the sale of the sticker will be credited to the Invasive Aquatic Plant and Nuisance Species Fund established in the Department of Environmental Protection under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 38, section 1863 and to the Lake and River Protection Fund established within the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife under Title 12, section 10257. These two funds, among other things, support invasive aquatic plant and nuisance species prevention, containment, eradication and management activities in the State.
Status: Senate refers to Joint Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in concurrence on February 2
 
Introduced: 02/03/2017
Sponsor: Representative Jeffrey K. Pierce
Issue Brief: Sunday Hunting
Summary:  This bill authorizes the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to allow hunting on Sunday and directs the commissioner to allow hunting on 5 Sundays for the respective hunting seasons for bear, moose, deer and wild turkey in coastal wildlife management areas on public land and private land of 5 acres or more with the landowner's permission.
Status: Senate refers to Joint Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in concurrence on February 7
 
Introduced: 02/03/2017
Sponsor: Representative David Harold McCrea
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  Allows a hunter whose religion prohibits the wearing of hunter orange to instead wear red. It also directs the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to amend its rules to reflect this exemption.
Status: Senate refers to Joint Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in concurrence on February 7

Introduced: 02/03/2017
Sponsor: Representative Richard A. Pickett, Member, Maine Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Public Access to Private Lands; White-tailed Deer Management - Hunting as a Preferred Management Tool; Hunter Recruitment, Retention, Reactivation
Summary: This bill amends the current antlerless deer hunting permit system to require that all antlerless deer permits available in a wildlife management district be issued to landowners of record who own at least 50 contiguous acres of land open to hunting by the public and have applied for the permit. It also provides that if the number of available antlerless deer permits in a wildlife management district exceeds the number of eligible landowner applications, the remaining permits must be issued to junior hunters who have applied for an antlerless deer permit in that district. If the number of antlerless deer permits available in a wildlife management district exceeds the number of eligible landowner applications and junior hunter applications, the commissioner is directed to issue the remaining permits as provided in current law.
Status: Senate refers to Joint Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in concurrence on February 7
 
Introduced:  02/07/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Jeffrey K. Pierce
Issue Brief:  Sunday Hunting Restrictions
Summary:  Summary This bill allows Sunday hunting for migratory game birds.
Status:  Introduced. Filed as LR 946 on February 7
 
Introduced:  02/07/2017
Sponsor:  Senator David Miramant
Issue Brief:  Guns (general)
Summary:  Summary This bill, using language modeled on the law regarding permits to carry concealed handguns, requires a person attempting to purchase a firearm to present the seller with proof of having successfully completed military firearms training or an approved firearm safety course. The bill also provides that a person may meet this requirement by presenting proof of having satisfied the handgun safety course requirements for a permit to carry concealed handguns.
Status:  Introduced. Filed as LR 58 on February 7
 
Introduced:  02/01/2017
Sponsor:  Frederick County Delegation
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:  To House Committee on Environment and Transportation on February 1
 
Introduced:  02/01/2017
Sponsor:  Delegate Eric Luedtke
Issue Brief:  Ivory Ban, Wolf in Sheeps Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups
Summary:  Prohibits a person from purchasing, selling, offering for sale, or possessing with the intent to sell specified parts or products of specified animal species under specified circumstances, subject to specified exceptions; establishes penalties for a violation of the act; requires that fines and restitution imposed under the Act be credited to the Department of Natural Resources for the benefit of the State Wildlife Management and Protection Fund to be used for the preservation of threatened or endangered.
Status:  In House Committee on Environment and Transportation on February 15
 
Introduced:  02/03/2017
Sponsor:  Eastern Shore Delegation
Issue Brief:  Sunday Hunting Restrictions; White-tailed Deer Management - Hunting as a preferred Management Tool
Summary:  Authorizes a person to hunt deer under a Deer Management Permit on any Sunday throughout the year, including all deer hunting seasons; alters the application of specified provisions of law governing Deer Management Permits in Charles County and St. Mary's County.
Status:  To House Committee on Environment and Transportation on February 3
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Paul G. Pinsky
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to Forest Conservation Act; clarifies the authority of certain units of local government to adopt certain forest conservation thresholds and afforestation and reforestation requirements that are more stringent that certain forest conservation thresholds and forestation requirements in State law.
Status: To House Committee on Environment and Transportation on February 3
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor: Senator Bryan W. Simonaire, Member, Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  Relates to active military, former prisoners of war, recipients of the Purple Heart award, and disabled veterans.
Status: To House Committee on Environment and Transportation on February 2
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor: Senator Bryan W. Simonaire, Member, Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Hunter Education
Summary:  Relates to hunter safety courses; relates to application of requirement; requires a certain person to make an affidavit that the person hunted before a certain date rather than that the person had a certain hunting license; establishes a program to provide incentives for the successful completion of a hunter safety course by an individual who is not required by law to complete a hunter safety course.
Status: To House Committee on Environment and Transportation on February 2

Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor: Senator Bryan Simonaire, Member, Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to interstate boating violator compact.
Status:  From Senate Committee on Education, Health and Environmental Affairs: reported favorably on February 6
 
Introduced:  01/20/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Ronald N. Young
Issue Brief:  Fishing Tournaments
Summary:  Prohibiting a person from organizing, sponsoring, promoting, conducting, or participating in a cownose ray fishing tournament in State waters; and requiring the Secretary of Natural Resources to adopt specified regulations.
Status: From Senate Committee on Education, Health and Environmental Affairs: reported favorably on February 6
 
Introduced:  02/01/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Stephen S. Hershey
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Establishes that a specified person may not set or fish any gill net that has a mesh size exceeding 7 inches or a stretched mesh size exceeding 7.5 inches for gill nets used in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.
Status: In Senate Committee on Education, Health and Environment on February 21
 
Introduced:  02/01/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Ronald N. Young
Issue Brief:  Ivory Ban, Wolf in Sheeps Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups
Summary:  Prohibits a person from purchasing, selling, offering for sale, or possessing with the intent to sell specified parts or products of specified animal species under specified circumstances, subject to specified exceptions; establishes penalties for a violation of the Act; requires that fines and restitution imposed under the Act be credited to the Department of Natural Resources for the benefit of the State Wildlife Management and Protection Fund to be used for the preservation of threatened or endangered.
Status:  In Senate Committee on Education, Health and Environment on February 21
 
Introduced:  02/03/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Stephen S. Hershey
Issue Brief:  Sunday Hunting Restrictions
Summary:  Authorizes a person to hunt turkey on private property in Kent County on Sundays during the spring turkey hunting season.
Status:  In Senate Committee on Education, Health and Environmental Affairs on February 21
 
Introduced:  02/03/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Stephen S. Hershey
Issue Brief:  Sunday Hunting Restrictions
Summary:  Authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to allow a person to hunt deer on private property on Sundays in Kent County throughout all deer hunting seasons, subject to specified provisions of law.
Status:  In Senate Committee on Education, Health and Environmental Affairs on February 21
 
Introduced: 1/04/2017
Sponsor: Representative Mark Proulx, Member, New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Crossbows
Summary:  Allows a person to carry a loaded rifle, shotgun, or crossbow in a motor vehicle, OHRV, snowmobile, aircraft, or boat.
Status:  From House Committee on Fish and Game and Marine Resources: Ought to pass with amendment on February 8
 
Introduced:  01/04/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Peter W. Bixby
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Prohibits hunting on Willand Pond in the cities of Dover and Somersworth; 17-0048 10/08.
Status:  From House Committee on Fish and Game and Marine Resources: Minority reported ought to pass on February 8
 
Introduced: 1/04/2017
Sponsor:  Representative John A. Mullen
Issue Brief:  Terminally Ill Youth Hunting Opportunities
Summary:  Allows permits issued to Hunt Of A Lifetime to provide hunting adventures to New Hampshire residents 21 years of age or under with life-threatening, critical, or terminal illnesses to be used by nonresident applicants.
Status:  From House Committee on Fish And Game and Marine Resources: Ought not to pass on February 8

Introduced: 1/04/2017
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; the bill also corrects references to legislative committees.
Status:  From House Committee on Fish And Game and Marine Resources: Ought to pass with amendment on February 8
 
Introduced: 1/04/2017
Sponsor:  Representative David Bates
Issue Brief:  College Student Hunting/Angling Licenses
Summary:  Repeals the law allowing nonresident full-time students to purchase a fish and game hunting or fishing license at the resident cost
Status:  From House Committee on Fish and Game and Marine Resources: Ought not to pass on February 8
 
Introduced:  01/05/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Katherine D. Rogers
Issue Brief:  Wolf in Sheeps Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups
Summary:  Applies certain provisions for the crime of animal cruelty to wild animals not in captivity.
Status:  From House Committee on Fish and Game And Marine Resources: Minority reported ought to pass on February 8

Introduced:  01/05/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Karel A. Crawford
Issue Brief:  Crossbows
Summary:  Allows a person 68 years of age or older to hunt by crossbow and to acquire a perpetual crossbow permit to take any species permitted to be taken by bow and arrow.
Status:  From House Committee on Fish and Game And Marine Resources: Ought to pass with amendment on February 8
 
Introduced: 01/04/2017
Sponsor: Senator Jeb E. Bradley
Issue Brief: Guns
Summary: Repeals the licensing requirement for carrying a concealed pistol or revolver.                 Status:  Passed House (200-97) on February 9

Introduced: 02/01/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member Deborah J. Glick
Issue Brief: Wolf in Sheep's Clothing/Animal Rights Groups
Summary:  Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; provides that it shall be unlawful for any person to organize, conduct, promote or participate in any contest or competition where the objective of such contest or competition is to take the greatest number of wildlife.
Status: To Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation on February 1
 
Introduced: 02/01/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member Deborah J. Glick
Issue Brief: High Fence
Summary:  Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; prohibits the taking of non-native big game mammals in a fenced or other area from which there is no means for such mammal to escape.
Status: To Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation on February 1
 
Introduced: 02/01/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member William Magee, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Outdoor Sporting Goods Tax Holiday
Summary:  Amends the Tax Law; enacts the New York state sportmen's weekend act and creates a limited exemption of the sale of certain firearms, ammunition, archery equipment and hunting supplies from state sales and compensating use taxes.
Status: To Assembly Committee on Ways and Means on February 1
 
Introduced: 02/02/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member Brian M. Kolb, 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; eliminates sporting license fees for honorably discharged, disabled veterans.
Status: To Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation on February 2
 
Introduced: 02/02/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member Felix Ortiz
Issue Brief: Ammunition Restrictions (non-lead)
Summary:  Establishes a statewide database to maintain and track coded ammunition; establishes penalties for individuals who violate such provisions; establishes the ammunition coding system database fund.
Status: To Assembly Committee on Codes on February 2
 
Introduced: 02/02/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member Felix Ortiz
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; waives certain fishing and hunting fees for residents of the state who performed military service in combat or duty subject to hostile fire or imminent danger for the five years immediately after his or her return to this state from such military service.
Status: To Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation on February 2
 
Introduced: 02/02/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member Andrew Goodell, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Hunter Recruitment, Retention, Reactivation
Summary:  Amends the Penal Law; authorizes the possession and use of a single shot .22 caliber rifle by a person eleven years of age on a rifle range while supervised at an indoor or outdoor shooting range.
Status: To Assembly Committee on Codes on February 2
 
Introduced: 02/02/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member Felix Ortiz
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; provides that for the issuance of deer management permits for certain disabled veterans, such veterans shall only have to provide proof of service-related disability once and every year thereafter, provide proof of an expired permit.
Status: To Assembly Committee on Veterans Affairs on February 2
 
Introduced: 02/03/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member William Magee, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: High Fence
Summary:  Provides for the licensing, regulation and protection of hunting ranch facilities.
Status: To Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation on February 3

Introduced: 02/03/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member William Magee, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Off Highway Vehicles
Summary:  Amends the Vehicle & Traffic Law; establishes a non-trail snowmobile registration for snowmobiles which shall be used solely for the purpose of gaining access to hunting, fishing and trapping areas.
Status: To Assembly Committee on Transportation on February 3

Introduced: 02/03/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member William Magee, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: High Fence
Summary:  Amends the Tax Law; exempts domestic and imported animals harvested at a game hunting preserve from the sales and compensating use tax.
Status: To Assembly Committee on Ways and Means on February 3

Introduced: 02/03/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member Linda B. Rosenthal
Issue Brief: Tethering of Dogs
Summary:  Prohibits tethering, restraining, caging or penning of dogs or animals between the hours of 7 p.m. to 6 a.m; provides that they may be tethered to a stationary object or a pen or cage in a sized pen or cage four times the height and length of said dog or animal.
Status: To Assembly Committee on Agriculture on February 3

Introduced: 02/03/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member David DiPietro, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Standard Capacity Magazines
Summary:  Amends the Penal Law; exempts certain large capacity ammunition feeding devices from certain requirements of the penal law.
Status: To Assembly Committee on Codes on February 3

Introduced: 02/03/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member William Magee, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Hunter Recruitment, Retention, Reactivation
Summary:  Amends the Penal Law; authorizes children 10 years of age or older to load and fire a rifle, shotgun or pistol at a shooting range while under the supervision of a qualified person; increases from 18 to 21 years of age the minimum age of a person who may be designated in writing by the parent or guardian of a child to supervise such child while he or she is shooting.
Status: To Assembly Committee on Codes on February 3

Introduced: 02/03/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member Joseph M. Giglio, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Conservation Tax Incentives
Summary:  Grants a specified amount of real property tax exemption to conservation clubs and rod and gun clubs owning land.
Status: To Assembly Committee on Real Property Taxation on February 3

Introduced: 02/03/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member Steve Englebright
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; requires the department to review Laws and policies pertaining to free or reduced cost hunting and fishing licenses.
Status: To Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation on February 3

Introduced: 02/03/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member David DiPietro, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Public Access to Private Lands; Off Highway Vehicles
Summary:  Amends the General Obligations Law; provides that the owner, lessee or occupant of premises owes no duty to keep the premises safe for entry or use by others performing certain activities, including recreational activities such as snowmobiling and motorized vehicle operation for recreational purposes.
Status: To Assembly Committee on Judiciary on February 3
 
Introduced: 02/06/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member Joseph M. Giglio, 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 free hunting, fishing and trapping licenses to residents of the state who are active duty members of the U.S. armed forces regardless of where such person is stationed.
Status: To Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation on February 6

Introduced: 02/06/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member Steve Englebright
Issue Brief: Modern Restraining Animal Traps
Summary:  Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; provides that on all publicly accessible municipally owned property where trapping is allowed, posted signage at all recognized entry points must inform readers that trapping is allowed in season and to take appropriate precautions.
Status: To Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation on February 6

Introduced: 02/06/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member Joseph M. Giglio, 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 members of the Seneca Nation who reside in the state.
Status: To Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation on February 6
 
Introduced: 02/03/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member Linda B. Rosenthal
Issue Brief: "Big 5" Trophy Importation Ban
Summary:  Prohibits the possession and transport of certain animals and body parts thereof at airports and port facilities owned or operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; includes the big five African species, species determined to be endangered by the commissioner of the department of environmental conservation, those that appear on the list of nongame species or appear on any federal list of endangered or threatened species, or has been proposed to be included on any such list.
Status: To Assembly Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions on February 6
 
Introduced:  02/07/2017
Sponsor:  Assembly Member Michael J. Norris
Issue Brief:  Firearm Suppressors
Summary:  Removes the prohibition on firearm silencers.
Status:  To Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation on February 7
 
Introduced:  02/03/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Ed Neilson
Issue Brief:  Tethering of Dogs
Summary:  Relates to offenses against public order and decency; provides for the offense of cruelty to animals.
Status: To House Committee on Judiciary on February 3
 
Introduced:  01/12/2017
Sponsor: Senator John H. Eichelberger, Member, Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  American System of Conservation Funding
Summary:  Amends Title 30 (Fish) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, providing for power to set fees in fiscal affairs; provides for collection fee for uncollectible checks; in fishing licenses; provides for nonresident and tourist licenses, for one-day resident fishing license, for license, permit and issuing agent fees and for license and permit packaging options.
Status: Rereferred to Senate Committee on Appropriations on February 6
 
Introduced:  01/26/2017
Sponsor: Senator Pat Stefano, Member, Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  American System of Conservation Funding
Summary:  Relates to Game; relates to Pennsylvania Game Commission; provides for powers and duties of commission and for accountability; relates to hunting and furtaking licenses; provides for license costs and fees and making an editorial change.
Status: Rereferred to Senate Committee on Appropriations on February 6
 
Introduced: 01/12/2017
Sponsor: Representative Arthur J. Corvese
Issue Brief: Crossbows
Summary:  Legalizes the taking or killing of wild migratory birds by crossbow.
Status: Committee meeting postponed on February 9
 
Introduced: 02/01/2017
Sponsor: Senator Frank Lombardo
Issue Brief: Crossbows
Summary:  Would legalize the taking of wild migratory birds by crossbow. This act would take effect upon passage.
Status: To Senate Committee on Environment and Agriculture on February 1
 
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: To Senate Committee on Environment and Agriculture on February 1
 
Introduced: 02/02/2017
Sponsor: Senator Gayle L. Goldin
Issue Brief: Standard Capacity Magazines
Summary:  Would criminalize the manufacture, import, possession, purchase, sale or transfer of any ammunition feeding device capable of accepting more than ten (10) rounds known as high capacity magazines. This act would take effect upon passage.
Status: To Senate Committee on Judiciary on February 2
 
Introduced: 01/13/2017
Sponsor: Representative Butch Shaw, Member, Vermont Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
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 Natural Resources and Energy on February 7

Introduced: 02/06/2017
Sponsor: Representative Paul Lefebvre, Member, Vermont Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Public Access to Private Lands
Summary:  Relates to eligibility for an antlerless deer permit when land is posted as open to hunting or fishing by permission only.
Status: To House Committee on Natural Resources, Fish and Wildlife on February 7

Introduced: 02/06/2017
Sponsor: Senator John Rodgers, Co-Chair, Vermont Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Exotic Invasive Species
Summary:  Relates to aquatic nuisance species control.
Status: To Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy on February 7


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 House Committee on Agriculture and Forestry on February 7
 
Introduced:  02/07/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Tommy Hanes
Issue Brief:  Animal Traps
Summary:  Relates to the trapping of animals and strict liability for civil damages for causing injury to a person or an animal on public lands.
Status: To House Committee on Agriculture and Forestry on February 7
 
Introduced:  02/07/2017
Sponsor:  Representative K.L. Brown
Issue Brief:  Anti, Substandard Kennels
Summary:  Relates to dog or cat breeders; establishes the Alabama Dog and Cat Breeders Commission; gives the commission the authority to license dog and cat breeders; provides exemptions of certain animals and breeders; authorizes the commission, by rule, to set certain standards for breeding and the minimum standard of care for certain animals, perform inspections and investigations, set licensing requirements and fees, require certain notifications, perform criminal background checks.
Status: To House Committee on Agriculture and Forestry on February 7
 
Introduced:  02/07/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Jack Williams, Member, Alabama Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus 
Issue Brief:  General, Deer Management
Summary:  Amends Sections 9-11-244 and 9-11-245 of the Code of Alabama 1975; relates to hunting; allows the taking of whitetail deer or feral swine by means of bait; requires that bait be contained; authorizes a landowner to give permission in writing to another person to hunt over bait on the landowner's property for whitetail deer or feral swine.
Status:  To House Committee on Agriculture and Forestry on February 7
 
Introduced:  02/07/2017
Sponsor: Senator Rusty Glover, Alabama Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
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 Finance and Taxation General Fund on February 7
 
Introduced:  02/07/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Priscilla Dunn
Issue Brief:  Substandard Kennels
Summary:  Relates to dog or cat breeders; establishes the Alabama Dog and Cat Breeders Commission; gives the commission the authority to license dog and cat breeders; provides exemptions of certain animals and breeders; authorizes the commission, by rule, to set certain standards for breeding and the minimum standard of care for certain animals, perform inspections and investigations, set licensing requirements and fees, require certain notifications, and perform criminal background checks.
Status: To Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs on February 7
 
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: To Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry on February 7
 
Introduced:  1/24/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Amy Mercado 
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to State black bears; requires Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC), Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS),and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to coordinate certain duties and responsibilities to protect State black bears and to preserve their habitat; establishes Bear-resistant Garbage Container Account within the Nongame Wildlife Trust Fund to aid local governments in purchasing such containers; prohibits certain activities in bear habitats.
Status: Referred to House Committee on Government Accountability on February 6
 
Introduced:  02/03/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Jared E. Moskowitz
Issue Brief:  Dog Tethering 
Summary:  Relates to dogs in vehicles; requires person transporting dog in certain areas of certain vehicles or trailers to secure dog; provides penalty; provides exceptions; preempts regulation of transportation of dogs in vehicles to state; declares void certain ordinances and rules adopted by local governments.
Status:  Prefiled on February 3
 
Introduced:  01/26/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Bob Bradley
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to water resources; provides an exception to the requirement that bonds issued for acquisition and improvement of land, water areas, and related property interests and resources be deposited into the State Forever Trust Fund and distributed in a specified manner; requires the South State Water Management District to seek proposals from Willing Sellers of property within the Everglades Agricultural Area for land that is suitable for the reservoir project.
Status:  To Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Environment and Natural Resources on February 8
 
Introduced:  02/01/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Trey Rhodes
Issue Brief:  General License
Summary:  Relates to game and fish; revise definitions, license fees, and license requirements; amends Code Section 52-7-5 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated; relates to numbering of vessels, requirements, and fees; revise boat registration fees and allow additional methods for reporting the sale of boats; corrects cross-references; provides for related matters; provides for an effective date and applicability; repeals conflicting laws.
Status:  To House Committee on Game, Fish and Parks. Read 2nd time on February 7
 
Introduced:  01/24/2017
Sponsor: Senator Bill Heath, NASC EC President, Georgia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus Chair
Issue Brief:  General License
Summary:  Relates to hunting, trapping, and fishing license, permit, tag, and stamp fees, so as to freeze the cost of certain hunting licenses that are renewed before expiration; provides for prospective application; provides for related matters; repeals conflicting laws.
Status:  From Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Environment: Favorably Reported. In Senate: In Senate. Read third time. Passed Senate. To House on February 9 

Introduced:  01/05/2017
Sponsor:  Representative C. Wesley Morgan
Issue Brief:  Wolf in Sheep's Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups     
Summary:  Redefines torture to include deliberate neglect or physical abuse that results in, the death of or serious physical injury to a dog or cat; provides for forfeiture of ownership of the dog or cat upon conviction or plea; prohibits future ownership of a dog or cat for five years for a first offense and life for a second or subsequent offense; requires forfeited dogs and cats be offered to animal rescue organizations or given to county animal shelters.
Status:  To House Committee on Judiciary on February 7
 
Introduced:  01/05/2017
Sponsor:  Representative C. Wesley Morgan
Issue Brief:  Wolf in Sheep's Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups      
Summary:  Criminalizes sexual assault of a dog or cat; provides for forfeiture of ownership of the dog or cat upon conviction or plea; prohibits future ownership of a dog or cat for five years for a first offense and life for a second or subsequent offense; requires forfeited dogs and cats be offered to animal rescue organizations or given to county animal shelters.
Status:  To House Committee on Judiciary on February 7
 
Introduced:  02/07/2017
Sponsor: Representative Rick G. Nelson, Member, Kentucky Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General License
Summary:  Establishes a preference point system for the elk quota hunt; provides that applicants accrue one preference point for each year that an applicant is not drawn for a permit category; allows preference points to accrue without limitation; requires the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources to count each preference point as an additional free application for the applicant the next time he or she applies to that permit category; provides that an applicant's preference points shall be reset to zero.
Status: To House Committee on Tourism and Outdoor Recreation on February 9

Introduced:  02/07/2017
Sponsor: Representative Rick G. Nelson, Member, Kentucky Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General License
Summary:  Makes retired first responders who are at least a specified percentage disabled eligible for the disabled combination hunting and fishing license
Status:  To House Committee on Tourism and Outdoor Recreation on February 9 

Introduced:  02/07/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Joni L. Jenkins
Issue Brief:  Wolf in Sheep's Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups      
Summary:  Establishes an eleven-member Shelter Oversight and Pet Overpopulation Task Force; requires monthly meetings; requires a final report and recommendations by December 1, 2017.
Status:  To House Committee on Agriculture on February 9 

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:  Passed House. To senate on February 2

Introduced:  01/13/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Briggs Hopson, 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:  Passed Senate. To House on February 7

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:  Transmitted to House on February 3 

Introduced:  02/02/2017
Sponsor: Representative Bill Hixon, South Carolina Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to size limits for certain fish that may be lawfully taken, possessed, landed, or purchased; increases the size limit for flounder that may be lawfully taken, possessed, landed, or purchased.
Status: To House Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs on February 2
 
Introduced:  01/31/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Dale Carr, Member, Tennessee Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus 
Issue Brief:  Seniors/Vets
Summary:  Relates to Game and Fish Laws; alters hunting and fishing license discounts available to honorably discharged veterans.
Status:  In House Committee on Agriculture And Natural Resources: Assigned to Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee on February 3
 
Introduced:  02/01/20107
Sponsor:  Representative Bud Hulsey
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to game and fish laws; authorizes the importation of certain wildlife harvested in other states if taken directly to a taxidermist, or to a meat processing facility in this state for processing; establishes restrictions on the use and disposal of such wildlife by taxidermists and processors.
Status: In House Committee On Agriculture And Natural Resources: Assigned to Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee on February 7

Introduced:  02/06/2017
Sponsor: Representative Jay Reedy, Tennessee Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus Chair
Issue Brief:  Conservation Funding
Summary:  Relates to licenses; allows the wildlife resources agency to be reimbursed for lost revenue resulting from the issuance of free or partially discounted combination hunting and fishing licenses to persons on or after a specified date.
Status: Introduced on February 6

Introduced:  02/07/2017
Sponsor: Representative Ron Lollar, Tennessee Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to Game and Fish laws; extends the effective date for newly published regulations involving cooperative agreements between the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and federal agencies, from 30 days to 45 days after the publication date by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency; revises the due date for the submission of financial reports by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency executive director to the Governor and commission members, from September 15 to September 30 of each year.
Status:  Introduced on February 7

Introduced:  01/30/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Doug Overbey
Issue Brief:  Seniors/Vets
Summary:  Alters hunting and fishing license discounts available to honorably discharged veterans
Status: To Senate Committee on Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources on February 2

Introduced:  02/01/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Jon Lundberg
Issue Brief:  Anti, Substandard Kennels
Summary:  Relates to Department of Commerce and Insurance; requires registration with the department to operate as a commercial dog breeder; creates inspection requirements for commercial dog breeders; creates Class A misdemeanor offense for a person to knowingly operate as a commercial dog breeder without being registered.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources on February 6

Introduced:  02/02/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Frank Niceley
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to game and fish laws; authorizes the importation of certain wildlife harvested in other states if taken directly to a taxidermist, or to a meat processing facility in this state for processing; establishes restrictions on the use and disposal of such wildlife by taxidermists and processors.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Energy, Agriculture And Natural Resources on February 8

Introduced:  02/06/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Jon Lundberg
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to game and fish laws; increases the minimum amount of hunter orange that big game hunters must wear
Status: Introduced on February 6
 
Introduced: 02/06/2017
Sponsor: Senator Mike Bell, Tennessee Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus Chair
Issue Brief:  Conservation Funding
Summary:  Relates to licenses; allows the wildlife resources agency to be reimbursed for lost revenue resulting from the issuance of free or partially discounted combination hunting and fishing licenses to persons on or after a specified date.
Status: Introduced on February 6
 
Introduced:  02/07/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Steve Southerland, Tennessee Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to Game and Fish laws; extends the effective date for newly published regulations involving cooperative agreements between the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and federal agencies, from 30 days to 45 days after the publication date by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency; revises the due date for the submission of financial reports by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency executive director to the Governor and commission members, from September 15 to September 30 of each year.
Status:  Introduced on February 7
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Delegate R. Lee Ware
Issue Brief:  Knife Definitions                
Summary:  Relates to carrying a switchblade knife; relates to exception; authorizes any person to carry a switchblade knife concealed when such knife is carried for the purpose of engaging in a lawful profession or recreational activity the performance of which is aided by the use of a switchblade knife; removes switchblade knives from the list of weapons the selling, bartering, giving, or furnishing of which is a Class 4 misdemeanor.
Status:  Passed Senate on February 8

Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Delegate R. Lee Ware
Issue Brief:  Conservation Tax Incentives          
Summary:  Relates to land preservation tax credits; relates to limitations; imposes a limit on the amount of credits that may be claimed for each land conveyance and a limit on the annual amount of credits that may be claimed by each taxpayer; establishes a cap on the annual amount of credits that may be claimed for a fee simple donation of land to the Commonwealth; provides that the maximum annual amount of credits that may be issued to all taxpayers shall not exceed the specified amount.
Status: In House Committee on Finance: left in committee on February 7
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Delegate Bobby Orrock        
Issue Brief:  Conservation Tax Incentives          
Summary:  Relates to real property tax; relates to special assessment for land preservation; prohibits any locality from requiring any taxpayer who is the lessor of real property to produce the lease for the purpose of determining whether the property is eligible for special assessment for land preservation.
Status:  Passed Senate on February 9 
 
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:  House refused to concur in Senate substitute on February 9

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:  To Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources on February 7
 
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:  To Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources on February 7

Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor Delegate Barry D. Knight, Member, Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA)         
Summary:  Relates to purse net fishing; prohibits fishing for menhaden with purse nets in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries within one-half mile of mean low water and within three miles of the shoreline of Virginia Beach extending to the North Carolina border.
Status:  In House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources: left in committee on February 7
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor: Delegate Barry D. Knight, Member, Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA)         
Summary:  Relates to management of menhaden; requires the Virginia Marine Resources Commission to adopt regulations to implement the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Menhaden and authorizes the Commission to adopt regulations for managing the Commonwealth's menhaden fishery; requires that any moratorium on the fishery be subject to legislative review; repeals Code sections relating to quotas, allocation of allowable landings, and administrative procedures.
Status:  In House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources: left in committee on February 7
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Delegate Robert S. Bloxom
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to Marine Resources Commission; relates to advisory committees; establishes four advisory committees to make recommendations to the Marine Resources Commission on issues relating to the management of, respectively, crab, finfish, shellfish, and habitat; reorganizes two existing advisory boards that deal with commercial fishing and recreational fishing.
Status:  In Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources: failed to report on February 2
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Delegate Jeffrey L. Campbell
Issue Brief:  White-tailed Deer Management - Hunting as a preferred Management Tool, General  
Summary:  Relates to baiting of deer; allows a hunter, during deer season, to occupy a baited place or to put out bait or salt for deer for the purpose of taking or killing deer.
Status:  In House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources: left in committee on February 7
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Delegate John Bell
Issue Brief:  Tethering of Dogs 
Summary:  Relates to care of companion animals; relates to tethering; relates to penalty; prohibits tethering of companion animals outdoors unless the owner is outdoors within sight of the animal; provides that a violation of this prohibition is a Class 4 misdemeanor and a second or subsequent violation is a Class 3 misdemeanor.
Status:  In House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources: left in committee on February 7
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Delegate Brenda L. Pogge
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to waterfowl blinds; relates to distance of floating blinds from stationary blinds; reduces the minimum distance a hunter, while hunting, is required to maintain between his licensed floating waterfowl blind and a licensed stationary blind.
Status:  In House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources: left in committee on February 7
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Delegate Brenda L. Pogge
Issue Brief:  Tethering of Dogs;  Wolf in Sheep's Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups  
Summary:  Relates to tethering of dogs; relates to local ordinances; authorizes the governing body of any locality to adopt ordinances limiting the amount of time during which a dog may be tethered.
Status:  In House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources: left in committee on February 7
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Delegate William J. Howell
Issue Brief:  Hunting Dogs
Summary:  Relates to dogs running at large; relates to civil penalty; prohibits dog owners from allowing dogs to run at large on the property of another after the landowner has given notice to the dog owner to keep the dog off of the property; provides for a per dog civil penalty enforced by animal control, conservation police, and other law-enforcement officers for each violation; provides that notice may be given verbally, in writing, with signs, or with blue tree markings.
Status:  Failed to pass House on February 6

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:  To Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources on February 7
 
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:  To Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources on February 7
 
Introduced:  01/10/2017
Sponsor:  Delegate Mark Lee Keam
Issue Brief:  Wolf in Sheep's Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups                  
Summary:  Relates to sale of dog or cat not obtained from releasing agency or animal rescue; authorizes localities to adopt ordinances prohibiting the sale in a business of any dog or cat that was not obtained from a state releasing agency or a nonprofit animal rescue organization.
Status:  In House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources: left in committee on February 7
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Delegate Lashrecse Aird
Issue Brief:  Conservation Tax Incentives          
Summary:  Relates to land preservation tax credit; relates to per taxpayer limitation; extends to taxable year 2017 the $20,000 limit on the amount that a taxpayer may claim per year under the land preservation tax credit; retains the $50,000 limit for each subsequent taxable year.
Status:  In House Committee on Finance: Left in committee on February 7
 
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:  To Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources on February 7
 
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:  To Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources on February 7
 
Introduced:  01/17/2017
Sponsor:  Delegate Joseph C. Lindsey
Issue Brief:  Wolf in Sheep's Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups      
Summary:  Relates to Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; relates to landlord to inspect vacated dwelling unit for abandoned animals; relates to penalty; requires a landlord who knows or should have known that a dwelling unit has been vacated to inspect such dwelling unit within two days of its being vacated for the presence of any abandoned animals; provides that if an abandoned animal is discovered, the landlord is required to notify an animal control officer or law enforcement.
Status:  In House Committee on Courts of Justice: left in committee on February 7
 
Introduced:  01/20/2017
Sponsor: Delegate James E. Edmunds, Member, Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General License    
Summary:  Relates to hunting license; relates to own property; requires a landowner to obtain a free hunting license to hunt on land that he owns; directs the Board of Game and Inland Fisheries to adopt regulations to provide for the free license for landowners as well as for other groups that are currently exempt from the license requirement, including the landowner's family members or residential tenants and certain majority shareholders who hunt on land owned by a corporation.
Status:  In House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources: left in committee on February 7
 
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:  To House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources on January 27
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Richard H. Stuart      
Issue Brief:  General    
Summary:  Relates to boating safety course; relates to database listing operators who have passed course; directs the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (the Department) to create a database listing the name and date of birth of every person who has at any time passed an approved boating safety course; requires a law-enforcement officer to search the database for the identity of a motorboat operator if the operator states that he has complied with the requirements for boating safety education.
Status:  To House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources on February 2
 
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:  From House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources: reported favorably on February 8
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Lionell Spruill
Issue Brief:  Wolf in Sheep's Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups
Summary:  Relates to Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; relates to landlord to inspect vacated dwelling unit for abandoned animals; relates to penalty; requires a landlord who knew or should have known that a dwelling unit has been vacated to inspect such dwelling unit for the presence of any abandoned animals; provides that if an abandoned animal is discovered, the landlord is required to notify an animal control officer or law enforcement of the presence and condition of the animal.
Status:  To House Committee on Courts of Justice on February 7
 
Introduced: 01/11/2017
Sponsor: Senator Emmett W. Hanger, Co-Chair, Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Conservation Tax Incentives
Summary:  Relates to land preservation tax credit; relates to per taxpayer limitation; extends to taxable year the specified limit on the amount that a taxpayer may claim per year under the land preservation tax credit; the bill retains the specified limit for each subsequent taxable year.
Status:  To House Committee on Finance on February 7
 
Introduced:  01/10/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Richard H. Stuart
Issue Brief:  Public Access to Private Lands
Summary:  Relates to landowner liability; relates to recreational access; provides that a landowner who has entered into an agreement with a public entity or nonprofit concerning the use of his land for public recreation shall be immune from liability to a member of the public arising out of the recreational use of the land.
Status:  To House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources on February 2
 
Introduced:  01/20/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Mark D. Obenshain
Issue Brief:  Guns
Summary:  Relates to possession of antique firearms; relates to nonviolent felons; permits nonviolent felons to possess, transport, and carry antique firearms and black powder in a quantity not exceeding five pounds if it is intended to be used solely for sporting, recreational, or cultural purposes in antique firearms.
Status:  To House Committee on Militia, Police and Public Safety on February 2
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Senator William Stanley
Issue Brief:  Substandard Kennels
Summary:  Relates to study; relates to Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to study spay-neuter programs in the Commonwealth; relates to report; requests the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to study the availability and effectiveness of spay-neuter programs in Commonwealth.
Status:  In Senate Committee on Rules: passed by indefinitely on February 2
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor: Senator Emmett W. Hanger, Co-Chair, Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  National Hunting and Fishing Day
Summary:  Relates to National Hunting and Fishing Day; designates September 23, 2017, as National Hunting and Fishing Day in Virginia.
Status:  To House Committee on Rules on February 8


MIDWESTMIDWESTERN STATES


Introduced: 01/12/2017
Sponsor: Representative Avery Bourne
Issue Brief: Crossbows
Summary: Amends the Wildlife Code; provides that all crossbows used to hunt in this State must have a minimum peak draw weight of 125 pounds and a maximum draw weight of at least 300 pounds.
Status: To House Committee on Agriculture and Conservation on February 2
 
Introduced: 01/24/2017
Sponsor: Representative John M. Cabello
Issue Brief: Senior, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary: Amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code; provides that the fee for all sport fishing licenses shall be waived for resident veterans of the United States Armed Forces that have been honorably discharged; amends the Wildlife Code; provides that the fee for a hunting license to hunt all species shall be waived for resident veterans of the United States Armed Forces that have been honorably discharged.
Status: To House Committee on Appropriations - General Services on February 2
 
Introduced: 01/25/2017
Sponsor: Representative Jerry Costello, Member, Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Ammunition Restrictions (non-lead), Guns (General), Modern Sporting Rifle
Summary: Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act; provides that a unit of local government, including a home rule unit, may not impose a tax, fee, or other assessment other than the normal sales tax rate for goods on a firearm, firearm attachment, or firearm ammunition.
Status: To House Committee on Judiciary - Criminal on February 8
 
Introduced: 01/25/2017
Sponsor: Representative Jerry Costello, Member, Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Ammunitions Restrictions (non-lead), Guns (General), Modern Sporting Rifle
Summary: Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act; deletes existing preemption provisions concerning firearms; provides that regulation of the ownership and possession of firearms and related items are the exclusive Powers and functions of the State; provides that a local government, including a home rule unit, may not require registration, reporting of the sale or transfer of a firearm, or maintenance of a firearm registry; provides that any existing or future local ordinances or resolutions imposing any.
Status: To House Committee on Judiciary - Criminal on February 8
 
Introduced: 02/012017
Sponsor: Representative Jerry Costello, Member, Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Crossbows
Summary: Amends the Wildlife Code, provides that any person may use a crossbow to take any animal during the appropriate archery season.
Status: To House Committee on Rules on February 2
 
Introduced: 02/01/2017
Sponsor: Representative Allen Skillicorn
Issue Brief: Firearm Suppressors, Guns (General)
Summary: Amends the Criminal Code of 2012; provides that a person commits the offense of unlawful use of weapons when he knowingly uses, attaches, or possesses with the intent to use or attach any device or attachment of any kind for silencing the report of any handgun, unless the use, attachment, or possession with the intent to use the device or attachment is on the premises of a firing or shooting range; or possess any device or attachment of any kind designed, used, or intended for use in silencing the report.
Status: To House Committee on Rules on February 2
 
Introduced: 02/06/2017
Sponsor: Representative Brandon Phelps, Co-Chair, Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Hunting with Air Rifles
Summary: Amends the Wildlife Code; provides that a person may take deer with a .45 caliber or larger air-powered gun; defines air-powered gun as any implement, designed as a gun that will expel a bb or pellet by spring, gas, or air charged from an external high compression power source.
Status: To House Committee on Rules on February 6
 
Introduced: 02/07/2017
Sponsor: Representative Brandon Phelps, Co-Chair, Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Firearm Suppressors
Summary: Amends the Wildlife Code; removes the prohibition on the use of a silencer or other device to muffle or mute the sound of the explosion or report resulting from the firing of any gun; amends the Criminal Code of 2012; provides that a person commits the offense of unlawful use of weapons when he knowingly uses, attaches, or possesses with the intent to use or attach any device or attachment of any kind for silencing the report of any handgun, unless the use, attachment, or possession with the intent.
Status: To House Committee on Rules on February 8
 
Introduced: 01/30/2017
Sponsor: Senator Neil Anderson, Member, Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Amends the Wildlife Code; provides that it shall be unlawful for any person to trap or to hunt with gun, dog, dog and gun, or bow and arrow, gray fox, red fox, raccoon, weasel, mink, muskrat, badger, bobcat, and opossum except during the open season which will be set annually by the Director to start at specified dates and times.
Status: To Senate Committee on Agriculture on February 8
 
Introduced: 02/07/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Napoleon Harris
Issue Brief:  Catch Shares
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:  Introduced on February 7

Introduced: 02/07/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Napoleon Harris
Issue Brief:  Catch Shares
Summary:  Amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code; provides that the Department of Natural Resources may issue a maximum of 5 commercial fishing licenses for taking from the Waters of Lake Michigan yellow perch, bloater chub, and other commercial fish species designated by Department rule.
Status:  Introduced on February 7
 
Introduced: 01/05/2017
Sponsor: Representative Woody Burton
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to plastic coated ammunition; defines armor piercing ammunition, and prohibits certain persons from possessing, manufacturing, selling, or delivering armor piercing ammunition; repeals a superseded provision concerning armor piercing handgun ammunition.
Status: Passed House. To Senate on February 7

Introduced: 01/17/2017
Sponsor: Representative Sean Eberhart, Co-Chair, Indiana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Freshwater Angling Access, Hunter Recruitment, Retention, Reactivation, Licenses (General)
Summary:  Relates to various natural resources matters; 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.
Status:  Amended on House floor. Ordered engrossed on February 9
 
Introduced: 01/18/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Greg Heartsill
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to tagging requirements for deer carcasses; includes penalties.
Status:  In House, becomes House File 254 on February 7
 
Introduced: 02/01/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Sharon Steckman
Issue Brief:  Lead Ammunition and Fishing Tackle Bans
Summary:  Requires the adoption of rules requiring the use of nontoxic shot to hunt doves; provides penalties.
Status:  To House Committee on Natural Resources on February 1
 
Introduced: 02/06/2017
Sponsor: Representative Terry Baxter, Co-Chair, Iowa Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
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: To House Committee on Natural Resources on February 6
 
Introduced: 01/26/2017
Sponsor: Senator Jake Chapman
Issue Brief: Fishing Tournaments, Exotic Invasive Species
Summary: Relates to bass fishing in the state.
Status: Passed subcommittee, in Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Environment on February 7
 
Introduced: 01/26/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Jake Chapman
Issue Brief:  Public Access to Private Lands
Summary:  Relates to the restriction of hunting on private property by the Natural Resources Commission.
Status:  Passed subcommittee. In Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Environment on February 8 
 
Introduced: 01/30/2017
Sponsor: Senator Rich Taylor
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Requires the natural resource commission to allow catfish to be taken by hand fishing; provides penalties.
Status: Passed subcommittee, in Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Environment on February 7
 
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:  Hearing scheduled, Wednesday, February 15, 3:30pm Room 582-N
 
Introduced: 01/31/2017
Sponsor:  House Agriculture Committee
Issue Brief:  White-tailed deer management - Hunting as a preferred Management Tool, General License
Summary:  Relates to the transferability of deer permits.
Status:  Hearing scheduled, Tuesday, February 14, 3:30pm Room 582-N
 
Introduced:  2/01/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Steve Green
Issue Brief:  Conservation Sales Tax
Summary:  Proposes amendments to the Minnesota Constitution; replaces legacy amendment with funding for deficient roads and for clean water; makings conforming changes.
Status: To House Committee on Legacy Funding Finance on February 1
 
Introduced:  1/19/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Thomas Bakk
Issue Brief:  General License
Summary:  Relates to watercraft; exempts certain watercraft used for trapping from licensing requirements.
Status:  Withdrawn from Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance on February 6
 
Introduced:  2/02/2017
Sponsor:  Senator John Hoffman
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Allows use of spear guns to take fish, authorizes rulemaking.
Status: To Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance on February 2
 
Introduced: 02/07/2017
Sponsor: Representative Jeffrey Pogue, Member, Missouri Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Ammunition, Guns
Summary:  Establishes the "Second Amendment Preservation Act."
Status:  Introduced on February 7
 
Introduced: 01/04/2017
Sponsor: Senator Brian Munzlinger, Member, Missouri Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Management Authority over Captive Cervids
Summary: Modifies provisions relating to captive cervids.
Status: Hearing Conducted on February 6
 
Introduced:  1/16/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Andrew Maragos
Issue Brief:  Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary: Relates to waiving the nonresident landowner deer hunting license fee for retired veterans.
Status: From House Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Do not pass on February 3
 
Introduced: 1/16/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Daniel Johnston
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to the taking of coyotes; provides an expiration date.
Status: From House Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Do not pass on February 3
 
Introduced:  1/16/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Lois Delmore
Issue Brief:  Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  Relates to a system for hunting license lotteries which gives preference to applicants seventy years of age or older.
Status: From House Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Do not pass on February 3
 
Introduced: 1/13/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Jerry Klein
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  Relates to hunter education requirements for veterans.
Status:  Failed to Pass Senate on February 3
 
Introduced:  1/16/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Rich Wardner
Issue Brief:  Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  Relates to deer and wild turkey hunting licenses for veterans receiving hunting expeditions from a nonprofit organization.
Status: Failed to Pass Senate on February 3
 
Introduced:  1/18/2017
Sponsor:  Senator John Grabinger
Issue Brief:  Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  Relates to the use of scopes on muzzleloading firearms for individuals over sixty-five years of age.
Status:  Passed the Senate on February 8
 
Introduced:  1/26/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Shawn Vedaa
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to identification of fishhouses and coyote snares.
Status: Passed Senate. To House on February 3
 
Introduced:  02/06/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Bobby Cleveland
Issue Brief:  Enforcement
Summary:  Relates to game and fish; relates to consent of landowner to hunt or fish; prohibits game warden from entering private property under certain circumstances; provides an effective date.
Status:  To House Committee on Public Safety on February 7
 
Introduced:  02/06/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Rick West, Member Oklahoma Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Hunting with Dogs
Summary:  Relates to hunting dogs; authorizes the use of dogs in hunting except for certain species; requires license to hunt deer with dogs; provides license fee; limits hunting deer with dogs to certain areas and days; requires certain rabies tag be attached to the collar; specifies certain breed of dog to be used; directs the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission to promulgate rules; provides for codification; provides an effective date.
Status: To House Committee on Wildlife on February 7

Introduced:  02/06/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Steve Vaughan, Member Oklahoma Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to game and fish; creates the Hunting Guide Licensing Act of 2017; provides for noncodification; provides an effective date.  
Status:  To House Committee On Rules on February 7

Introduced:  02/06/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Sean Roberts
Issue Brief:  Feral hogs
Summary:  Relates to feral hogs; creates the Feral Swine Hunting Reform Act of 2017; provides for noncodification; provides an effective date.
Status: To House Committee On Rules on February 7
 
Introduced:  02/06/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Nathan Dahm
Issue Brief:  Enforcement
Summary:  Relates to game and fish; relates to consent to hunt upon the land of another; prohibits game wardens from entering private property under certain circumstances; provides an effective date.
Status: To House Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development on February 7

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: To House Committee on Agriculture And Rural Development on February 7

Introduced: 02/06/2017
Sponsor: Senator Paul Scott
Issue Brief: White-tailed Deer Management - Hunting as a preferred Management Tool
Summary: Relates to game and fish; directs the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission to limit the taking of antlered deer per season; provides for codification; provides an effective date.
Status: To House Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development on February 7

Introduced: 02/06/2017
Sponsor: Senator Joseph Silk
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to hunting on public land; allows for the use of bait while hunting on public lands under certain conditions; defines term; prohibits the taking of certain antlered deer by certain persons on public land; provides for codification; provides an effective date.
Status: To House Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development on February 7

Introduced: 02/06/2017
Sponsor: Senator Bryce Marlatt
Issue Brief: Feral Hogs
Summary: Relates to feral swine; relates to removal of feral swine; allows removal of feral swine on private property at night; provides an effective date.
Status: To House Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development on February 7
 
Introduced:  1/25/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Elizabeth May
Issue Brief:  General Licenses
Summary:  Provides for the transfer of certain landowner hunting licenses.
Status:  Failed to pass House on February 6
 
Introduced:  1/25/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Elizabeth May
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Revises certain provisions regarding resident fishing possession limits.
Status: To Senate Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on February 8
 
Introduced:  1/31/2017
Sponsor: Representative Sam Marty, Member, South Dakota Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Transfers land owned by Department of Game, Fish and Parks to state and prohibits Department of Game, Fish and Parks from buying any real property.
Status:  Deferred to the 41st Legislative Day on February 7
 
Introduced:  2/01/2017
Sponsor:  Representative David Johnson
Issue Brief:  Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  Provides for the issuance of certain hunting licenses to nonresident military veterans at resident rate.
Status:  In House. Deferred to the 20th Legislative Day on February 8
 
Introduced:  2/01/2017
Sponsor: Representative Taffy Howard
Issue Brief:  Substandard Dog Kennels
Summary:  Revises certain provisions regarding the regulation of commercial breeding operations.
Status:  To House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on February 1
 
Introduced:  2/01/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Steven McCleerey
Issue Brief:  General License
Summary:  Revises certain provisions regarding nonresident waterfowl licenses.
Status: To House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on February 3

Introduced:  1/26/2017
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 Senate. To House on February 8
 
Introduced:  1/26/2017
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:  Committee amendment adopted on Senate floor on February 8

Introduced: 2/02/2017
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: Introduced on February 2

Introduced: 2/6/2017
Sponsor: Representative Joel Kleefisch, 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 Assembly Committee on Natural Resources and Sporting Heritage on February 6

Introduced:  1/20/2017
Sponsor: Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rule
Issue Brief:  Catch Shares
Summary:  Relates to a minimum limit on the amount of chubs that may be commercially harvested from the waters of Lake Michigan.
Status:  In Senate. Report of Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules received on January 23


WESTWESTERN STATES  


Introduced : 01/17/2017
Sponsor : Representative Andy Josephson
Issue Brief : Animal Traps
Summary : Prohibits and provides penalties and civil remedies for trapping within 200 feet of certain public facilities, areas, and trails; provides for an effective date.
Status : Withdrawn from House Committee on Finance on February 8

Introduced : 02/03/2017
Sponsor : Representative Tammie Wilson
Issue Brief : Enforcement
Summary : Creates an affirmative defense and an exemption from payment of fines and restitution for a person who reports the person's own first-time unlawful taking of certain big game animals.
Status : Introduced and referred to House Committee on Resources on February 3

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 Senate Committee on Rules: Do pass proper for consideration on February 6
 
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:  Passed Senate. To House on February 6

Introduced : 02/01/2017
Sponsor : Senator Owen Hill
Issue Brief : Knife Definitions
Summary : Concerns legalizing certain knives.
Status : To House Committee on Judiciary on February 6
 
Introduced : 01/17/2017
Sponsor : Representative Diane Mitsch Bush, Member, Colorado Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus; Representative Jeni Arndt, Co-Chair, Colorado Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus; Representative Jon Becker, Member, Colorado Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus; Senator Randy Baumgardner, Co-Chair, Colorado Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus; Senator Jerry Sonnenberg
Issue Brief : Invasive Species
Summary : Concerns funding for the prevention of aquatic nuisance species in Colorado.
Status : Passed Senate on February 1

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:  To Senate Committee on Rules on February 2

Introduced:  02/06/2017
Sponsor: Senator Tom Berryhill, Member, California Outdoor Sporting Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  Prohibits a local agency from adopting or enforcing an ordinance to regulate fishing. Authorizes any person to bring an action against a local agency for a violation of the prohibition. Requires the court to award attorney's fees to a party who prevails in an action and to award damages, including punitive damages.
Status:  Introduced on February 6

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 Ocean, Marine Resources, and Hawaiian Affairs: Voted do pass with amendment on February 7

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 Ocean, Marine Resources, And Hawaiian Affairs: Voted do pass with amendment on February 7
 
Introduced:  01/25/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Ryan Yamane
Issue Brief: Firearm Suppressors
Summary:  Authorizes licensed hunters who comply with state firearms law to possess and use firearm noise suppressors while hunting; authorizes the manufacture and sale of firearm noise suppressors for licensed hunters who comply with state firearms law.
Status:  In Committee: Hearing Scheduled as of February 7

Introduced : 02/01/2017
Sponsor : House Resources and Conservation Committee
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding moneys paid into the Set-Aside Account.
Status : 2/2/2017 To House Committee on Resources and Conservation on February 2
 
Introduced : 1/24/2017
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 : Received "Do Pass" recommendation from Senate Resources and Environment Committee on February 7
 
Prefiled : 12/05/2016
Sponsor: Representative Zach Brown, Co-Chair, Montana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : Fishing Access
Summary : Requires fishing access sites for state highway projects; relates to fish and wildlife; relates to highways and roads.
Status : Assigned House Bill No. 414 on February 7
 
Prefiled : 02/07/2017
Sponsor : Senator Jedediah Hinkle, Co-Chair, Montana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : Enforcement
Summary : Prohibits posting of public land with no trespassing signs; relates to state lands..
Status : Assigned Senate Bill No. 202 on February 3
 
Prefiled : 01/11/2017
Sponsor : Office of Senator Jennifer Fielder
Issue Brief : Right to Hunt and Fish
Summary : Concerns the constitutional referendum establishing right to hunt, fish, and trap wildlife; relates to constitutional amendment proposals; relates to fish and wildlife.
Status : Filed on February 8
 
Introduced : 01/03/2017
Sponsor : Representative Kerry White
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Clarifies Fish, Wildlife and Parks residency requirement for armed forces member, spouse and dependent; relates to fish and wildlife; relates to military affairs.
Status : From Senate Committee on Fish and Game: Do pass (11-0) on January 31
                                                                       
Introduced : 01/05/2017
Sponsor : Representative Jeremy Trebas
Issue Brief : Game Meat Donation Program
Summary : Authorizes certain nonprofit retail food establishments to use wild game meat in meals served for no charge; provides rulemaking authority; provides definition.
Status : From Senate Committee on Business, Labor and Economic Affairs: Do pass on February 3
 
Introduced : 01/23/2017
Sponsor : Representative Bill Harris
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Revises laws related to county bounties on predators; relates to counties; relates to fish and wildlife; relates to livestock; relates to local revenue.
Status : From House Committee on Agriculture: Do pass as amended on February 2
 
Introduced : 01/12/2017
Sponsor : Senator Jedediah Hinkle, Co-Chair, Montana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : General License
Summary : Revises laws related to discounted Fish, Wildlife & Parks licenses for certain nonresidents; relates to fish and wildlife; relates to state revenue; relates to rule making.
Status : From Senate Committee on Fish and Game: Do pass (11-0) on January 31
 
Introduced : 2/3/2017
Sponsor : Senator Jedediah Hinkle, Co-Chair, Montana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : Enforcement
Summary : Prohibits post of no trespassing sign on another's property; relates to crimes; relates to state lands.
Status : To Senate Judiciary Committee on February 3
 
Introduced:  02/06/2017
Sponsor: Assemblyman Michael Sprinkle, Member, Nevada Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  Revises provisions governing the management of wildlife.
Status:  To Assembly Committee on Natural Resources, Agriculture and Mining on February 6
 
Introduced:  02/06/2017
Sponsor:  Senate Natural Resources Committee
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  Makes various changes relating to the Department of Wildlife.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Natural Resources on February 6
 
Introduced : 01/17/2017
Sponsor : Representative Stephanie Garcia Richard
Issue Brief : NICS
Summary : Relates to possession of firearms; increases the penalty for a felon in possession of a firearm or destructive device to a third degree felony.
Status : From House Committee on Consumer and Public Affairs: Do pass on 02/06/2017. Hearing in House Judiciary Committee at 1:30 pm, Room 309 on February 10
                                                           
Introduced : 01/17/2017
Sponsor: Representative Alonzo Baldonado, Member, New Mexico Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : Enforcement
Summary : Relates to game and fish; amends sections of chapter 17 NMSA 1978 to provide stricter penalties for major violations.
Status : From House Committee on Energy, Environment and Natural Resources: Do pass as amended on February 1
 
Introduced : 01/17/2017
Sponsor : Senator Stephanie Garcia Richard
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Relates to public health; prescribes factors to determine the management and disposition of wild animals that have bitten or otherwise potentially exposed a human to rabies.
Status : Hearing held on February 7
                                                                       
Introduced : 01/17/2017
Sponsor : Senator Richard Martinez
Issue Brief : NICS
Summary : Relates to crime; requires criminal background checks on gun transfers between certain persons; provides exceptions; provides penalties.
Status : From Senate Committee on Public Affairs: Do pass on February 1
                                                           
Introduced : 02/01/2017
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 : Assigned to House Subcommittee on Natural Resources on February 2
 
Introduced : 02/01/2017
Sponsor : Representative Peter Courtney
Issue Brief : Animal Traps, Anti
Summary : Modifies trap check requirements; requires State Fish and Wildlife Commission to adopt by rule wildlife control operator permit program for persons acting as agents of landowners or lawful occupants in taking wildlife causing damage; requires certain persons engaged in trapping activities to meet certain reporting requirements; requires State Department of Fish and Wildlife to compile statewide annual trapping report and make report publicly available.
Status : Withdrawn from Committee hearing on February 8 

Introduced : 2/7/2017
Sponsor : Senator Tim Knopp, Member, Oregon Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Prohibits State Fish and Wildlife Commission from using license, tag and permit revenue to fund activities related to wolf management.
Status : Introduced on February 7

Introduced : 2/7/2017
Sponsor: Senator Tim Knopp, Member, Oregon Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary : Makes resident uniformed services hunting license free; establishes free resident uniformed services angling license for persons who are resident members of uniformed services; declares emergency, effective on passage.
Status : Introduced on February 7

Introduced:  01/23/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Mike McKell
Issue Brief: Licenses (General)
Summary:  Modifies the procedure for the acquisition or possession of a hunting license or permit or a furbearer license.
Status:  Passed Second Reading on February 6

Introduced : 01/12/2017
Sponsor : Representative Dick Muri
Issue Brief : Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary : Supports access to state recreation lands by disabled veterans.
Status : Public hearing scheduled on February 2
                                               
Introduced : 1/19/2017
Sponsor : Representative Tom Dent, Member, Washington Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Concerns compensation for property damage caused by wild deer or elk.
Status : Executive session scheduled on February 1
 
Introduced : 02/01/2017
Sponsor : Representative John Koster
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Initiates proactive steps to address elk hoof disease.
Status : To House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on February 1
                                                                       
Introduced : 01/05/2017
Sponsor : Representative Mary Dye
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Concerns the Columbia river recreational salmon and steelhead endorsement program.
Status : To House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on February 1

Introduced : 01/23/2017
Sponsor : Representative Joel Kretz
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Provides for the partial delisting of the gray wolf by the fish and wildlife commission.
Status : To House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on February 1
 
Prefiled : 01/11/2017
Sponsor : Representative Cary Condotta
Issue Brief : Hunter Education
Summary : Exempts certain law enforcement officers from the hunter education training program.
Status : To House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on February 3
 
Introduced : 01/12/2017
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 : Public hearing held on February 2
 
Introduced : 2/7/2017
Sponsor: Senator Maralyn Chase
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Requests Congress to provide the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries with sufficient resources to expedite its endangered species act and national environmental policy act review of Puget Sound hatchery and genetic management plans and that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries prioritize and conduct immediate review and approval of Puget Sound hatchery and genetic management plans.
Status : To Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Parks on February 6
 
Introduced : 01/10/2017
Sponsor : House Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee
Issue Brief : Animal Traps
Summary : Relates to game and fish; exempts persons removing certain animals caught in traps or snares from penalties relating to interfering with lawful trapping; provides for an effective date.
Status : Withdrawn from further consideration on February 3
 
Introduced : 01/12/2017
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 : From Senate Committee on Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources: Do pass with amendment on February 2
                                                           
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 : From Senate Committee on Travel, Recreation and Cultural Resources: Do Pass on February 7
 
Introduced : 01/12/2017
Sponsor : Representative Tyler Lindholm
Issue Brief : Animal Traps, Hunting Dogs, General License
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 : From Senate Committee on Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources: Do Pass with amendment on February 7

Introduced : 01/23/2017
Sponsor : Representative Bill Henderson
Issue Brief : General License
Summary : Relates to game and fish; amends requirements and fees for certain hunting licenses issued based on age and residency; authorizes issuance of lifetime pioneer licenses; provides for an effective date.
Status : Died in Committee on February 3
                                                           
Introduced : 01/24/2017
Sponsor : Representative Albert Sommers
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Relates to outfitters and guides; provides for the regulation of persons providing hunt consultation services as specified; provides for an effective date.
Status : From Senate Committee on Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources: Do pass on February 7
 
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 : Senate Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee Hearing on February 9
                                                                       
Introduced : 01/30/2017
Sponsor : Representative David Northrup
Issue Brief : General License
Summary : Relates to game and fish; increases the percentage of nonresident elk, deer and antelope licenses available through a special drawing; provides for an effective date.
Status : From House Committee of the Whole: Do not pass on February 9

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 : Passed House. To Senate Committee on Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources on February 6
 
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 : House Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources hearing schedule for February 10

        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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