Tracking the Capitols is a source of legislation currently being tracked by the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation state policy team to keep you informed of the most pertinent and timely state legislation affecting hunting, angling, recreational shooting and trapping and other conservation issues. Inclusion in Tracking the Capitols does not necessarily constitute support or opposition to legislation by CSF and/or the CSF States Program.

Please visit our website for day-to-day updates by CSF's State Program Team on important sportsmen's legislation. To view past bills, please visit the Tracking the Capitols Archive under the Media Room tab on the CSF website.

Note: Bill sponsors who are members of the National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses are noted in bold.

Due to the high volume of legislation, Tracking the Capitols only includes bills that have had status updates within the last week. With questions about specific bills, please contact your regional CSF staff member.
Updates for the week of 
May 8, 2017

NORTHEASTNORTHEASTERN STATES


Introduced: 01/11/2017
Sponsor: Representative Melissa H. Ziobron, Member, Connecticut Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Exotic Invasive Species
Summary:  Requires the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to prepare a plan for the rapid detection and eradication of newly discovered terrestrial invasive species.
Status: To Joint Committee on Appropriations on May 10

Introduced: 01/19/2017
Sponsor: Representative Robert C. Sampson, Member, Connecticut Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Licenses (General)
Summary:  Authorizes lifetime hunting and fishing licenses; allows for the purchase of lifetime hunting and lifetime fishing licenses; provides for an endorsement on the motor vehicle operator's license.
Status: Reported out of Legislative Commissioner's Office on May 9

Delaware H 95
Introduced: 03/28/2017
Sponsor: Representative Sean Lynn
Issue Brief: Ivory Bans
Summary: Prohibits a person from purchasing, selling, offering for sale, possessing with intent to sell, or importing with intent to sell ivory or rhinoceros horn, except as specified; violations of this Act or any rule, regulation, or order adopted under this Act is a misdemeanor subject to fines, imprisonment, or both, as specified in this Act; adds to the specified criminal penalties.
Status: In House Committee on Natural Resources on May 10

Introduced: 04/04/2017
Sponsor: Representative Stephen Smyk, Member, Delaware Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Firearm Suppressors
Summary: Relates to importers, manufacturers and dealers of destructive weapons that are licensed and regulated under Federal law; relates to existing law, importers, manufacturers and dealers of destructive weapons are not permitted to deliver them to purchasers in the state who are otherwise permitted to own such weapons, such as military or police forces; permits properly licensed importers, manufacturers and dealers to possess and store destructive weapons in this state.
Status: From House Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security: reported without recommendation on May 10
 
Introduced: 03/16/2017
Sponsor: Senator F. Gary Simpson, Member, Delaware Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: White-tailed Deer Management - Hunting as a preferred Management Tool
Summary: Allows a hunter to use a handgun in lieu of a shotgun on farms permitted by DNREC through their Deer depredation programs to reduce agricultural crop damage.
Status: From House Committee on Natural Resources: reported without recommendation on May 10

Introduced: 01/09/2017
Sponsor: Representative Raymond A. Wallace
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  This bill provides that a veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States is exempt from hunter safety course requirements if that veteran provides at the time of application for a hunting license that veteran's Armed Forces Report of Transfer or Discharge, DD Form 214, or its predecessor or successor forms, or certification from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or the appropriate branch of the Armed Forces of the United States verifying the applicant's military service and honorable discharge.
Status: Placed in Legislative File (dead) on May 4

Introduced: 01/10/2017
Sponsor: Representative David Harold McCrea
Issue Brief: Sunday Hunting Restrictions
Summary:  Allows licensed hunters to hunt wild birds on Sundays with a shotgun.
Status: In Senate. Placed in Legislative File (dead) on May 9

Introduced: 01/12/2017
Sponsor: Representative Scot Walter Strom
Issue Brief: Sunday Hunting Restrictions
Summary: Allows hunting on Sundays on private property with the permission of the landowner.
Status: In Senate. Placed in Legislative File (dead) on May 9

Introduced: 01/20/2017
Sponsor: Representative David G. Haggan
Issue Brief: Sunday Hunting Restrictions
Summary: Creates an exception to the prohibition against hunting wild birds on Sunday; allows hunting wild birds on Sunday in Aroostook County and in unorganized townships in the counties of Piscataquis, Somerset, Franklin, Oxford, Kennebec, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Androscoggin, Cumberland and York.
Status: In Senate. Placed in Legislative File (dead) on May 9

Introduced: 01/27/2017
Sponsor: Representative Jonathan L. Kinney
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  This bill expands eligibility for complimentary hunting, trapping and fishing licenses, including permits, stamps and other permissions necessary to hunt, trap and fish in Maine, to include nonresident disabled veterans who hold valid hunting or fishing licenses in the states in which they are residents.
Status: In Senate. Committee Amendment A adopted on May 9

Introduced: 01/20/2017
Sponsor: Representative Jeffrey K. Pierce
Issue Brief: Sunday Hunting Restrictions
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: In Senate. Placed in Legislative File (dead) on May 9

Introduced: 02/07/2017
Sponsor: Representative Jonathan L. Kinney
Issue Brief: General
Summary: This bill allows ice fishing on Baker Lake and Third, Fourth and Fifth St. John ponds in Somerset County.
Status: Placed in Legislative File (dead) on May 4

Introduced: 02/07/2017
Sponsor: Representative Jeffrey K. Pierce
Issue Brief: Sunday Hunting Restrictions
Summary: This bill allows Sunday hunting for migratory game birds.
Status: From Joint Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife: with divided report on May 9

Introduced: 02/10/2017
Sponsor: Representative Roger E. Reed
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  This bill guarantees a moose permit to resident applicants who are 65 years of age or older and have accumulated 30 points or more in the public chance drawing for moose permits.
Status: Eligible for Governor's desk on May 9

Introduced: 02/10/2017
Sponsor: Representative Gary L. Hilliard, Member, Maine Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Public Access to Private Lands
Summary:  This bill prohibits destroying, tearing down, defacing or otherwise damaging property posting signs by hunters and provides for the one-year suspension of the hunting license of a person who is convicted of doing so.
Status: Signed by Governor on May 5

Introduced: 02/10/2017
Sponsor: Representative Gary L. Hilliard, Member, Maine Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  Specifies that hunters under 8 years of age may not hunt moose but may purchase applications for moose hunting permits in order to accrue points in the public chance drawing for moose permits.
Status: In Senate. Engrossed as amended by Committee Amendment A on May 9

Introduced: 02/24/2017
Sponsor: Representative Joel R. Stetkis
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  This bill explicitly restricts the application of the law prohibiting shooting from motor vehicles and motorboats to shooting while hunting.
Status: Work Session held on May 4

Introduced: 02/24/2017
Sponsor: Representative Roland Danny Martin, Member, Maine Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Hunter Recruitment, Retention, Reactivation
Summary:  Doubles the number of moose permits for auction by conservation organizations from 10 permits to 20 permits and directs the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to disburse at least 50% of the revenue from the auction to conservation organizations for the purpose of operating youth day camps.
Status: In Senate. Placed in Legislative File (dead) on May 9

Introduced: 03/03/2017
Sponsor: Representative Timothy S. Theriault
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  This bill requires the court to order the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to issue a permit to take a deer or moose to a person found not to have violated the inland fisheries and wildlife laws when a deer or moose taken by the person and seized by the department had been disposed of before that finding was made.
Status: From Joint Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife: with divided report on May 9

Introduced: 03/16/2017
Sponsor: Representative William R. Tuell, Member, Maine Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: White-tailed Deer Management - Hunting as a Preferred Management Tool
Summary:  This bill makes the penalty for hunting over bait during an open season on deer a mandatory fine of $500. It also provides for the one-year suspension of a hunting license of a person convicted of doing so.
Status: From Joint Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife: with divided report on May 9

Introduced: 03/22/2017
Sponsor: Representative Karen A. Gerrish
Issue Brief: Crossbows
Summary:  This bill expands crossbow hunting for deer into the regular archery-only season on deer. It removes the requirement that a person must have a valid hunting or archery hunting license or an apprenticeship hunter license or archery hunting license in order to hunt with a crossbow. It also lowers from 70 years of age to 65 years of age the age at which a person may hunt a wild bird or wild animal with a crossbow during any open season on that wild bird or wild animal, hunt in an expanded archery zone and hunt during muzzle-loading-only deer hunting season.
Status: Work Session held on May 4

Introduced: 04/14/2017
Sponsor: Representative MaryAnne Kinney
Issue Brief: Guns (General)
Summary:  This bill provides that a person that prohibits the possession of firearms on property by an individual otherwise authorized to carry a firearm thereby assumes absolute custodial responsibility for the safety and defense of the individual prohibited from possessing a firearm while that individual is on that property and while that individual is on any property that individual is required to traverse in order to travel to and from the location where that individual's firearm is stored. An individual prohibited from possessing a firearm who is otherwise authorized to carry a firearm and who is injured, suffers bodily injury or death or incurs economic loss or expense, property damage or any other compensable loss as the result of conduct occurring on property on which the possession of a firearm is prohibited has a cause of action against the person that prohibits the possession of firearms on that property.
Status: From Joint Committee on Criminal and Public Safety: Ought not to pass on May 8

Introduced: 05/03/2017
Sponsor: Representative Stephen J. Wood, Co-Chair, Maine Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  This bill: 1. Moves the planning functions of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife from the Division of Planning, which no longer exists, to the Bureau of Resource Management; 2. Allows a person to capture and possess reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates native to this State and not listed by the department as threatened, endangered or of special concern without a permit, within certain possession limits; 3. Clarifies the purpose for each type of captive wildlife permit issued by the department and the issuance of 3-day hold game bird propagation permits and one-year game bird propagation permits and establishes fees for those permits; 4. Clarifies that the provision of law regarding release of wildlife into the wild applies to birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates; 5. Eliminates the requirement to band imported pheasants; and 6. Gives the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife the authority to open a town or a designated geographical area to the taking of antlerless deer within a wildlife management district that does not allow the taking of antlerless deer.
Status: Senate refers to Joint Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in concurrence on May 4

Introduced: 02/08/2017
Sponsor: Senator Paul T. Davis, Member, Maine Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: White-tailedDeer Management - Hunting as a Preferred Management Tool
Summary:  Requires that at least 10% of antlerless deer permits issued in a wildlife management district be issued to eligible hunters who are 70 years of age and older.
Status: House adopts Majority Committee Report: Ought not to pass on May 4
 
Introduced: 02/15/2017
Sponsor: Senator Thomas B. Saviello, Co-Chair, Maine Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  This bill allows a person who has lawfully killed a wild animal to sell the meat of the animal at a wild game dinner or to the organizer of a wild game dinner. The bill defines "wild game dinner" as a single event where meat from a lawfully taken animal is cooked and sold to persons at the event for immediate consumption.
Status: From Joint Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife: with divided report on May 9
 
Introduced: 03/20/2017
Sponsor: Senator Amy F. Volk, Member, Maine Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Exotic Invasive Species
Summary:  This bill restricts the rule-making authority of the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry regarding nonnative invasive terrestrial plants to allow the commissioner to adopt rules regarding those nonnative terrestrial plants that are determined to be invasive. The commissioner may not adopt rules to regulate plants that are likely or potentially invasive.
Status: From Joint Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry: Ought not to pass on May 8
 
Introduced: 03/23/2017
Sponsor: Senator Thomas B. Saviello, Co-Chair, Maine Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: American System of Conservation Funding
Summary:  This bill creates the Maine Outdoor Programs and Activities Fund, administered by the Maine Outdoor Programs and Activities Fund Board, to carry out the mission of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. The fund provides on a regional basis funding and grants to departmental and other outdoor programs and activities including funding for snowmobile and all-terrain vehicle trail improvements, fish and game organizations and youth outdoor activity programs. The Maine Outdoor Programs and Activities Fund is funded by adding $1 to a resident fishing license fee and $2 to a nonresident season fishing license fee for persons 16 years of age or older.
Status: From Joint Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife: Ought not to pass on May 4
 
Introduced: 05/03/2017
Sponsor: Senator Scott Cyrway, Member, Maine Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Airguns/ Airbows; Modern Restraining Animal Traps; Apprentice Hunting Licenses; Bear Hunting, Enforcement
Summary:  This bill makes several changes to the State's fish and wildlife enforcement laws. The bill: 1. Makes it legal for a person to use wireless, digital imaging technology as a means to comply with a trap tending requirement; 2. Makes it clear that hunting with thermal imaging equipment is illegal; 3. Creates a $20 penalty for each quart over the 2-quart limit on smelts; 4. Amends terminology in the law governing apprentice hunter license restrictions; 5. Makes it illegal to fraudulently obtain registrations in addition to licenses and permits that are provided by the department; 6. Makes failing to stop for a law enforcement officer while operating a snowmobile or watercraft a Class D crime consistent with the provision applying to all-terrain vehicles; 7. Makes the airbow a legal hunting implement when used within certain parameters. It defines "airbow," "crossbow" and "hand-held bow"; 8. Specifies that, in addition to a firearm, a person convicted of a domestic violence offense may not own, possess or have under that person's control a crossbow or muzzleloader or archery equipment; 9. Requires all edible meat from bear, deer or moose to be presented for registration along with evidence of gender. It allows these animals to be dismembered for ease of transportation; 10. Strengthens language within the prohibition of abuse of another person's property by removing reference to certain stated activities such as hunting, fishing or trapping to allow the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to enforce the law against persons who abuse another person's property but who may not be involved in an activity such as hunting, fishing or trapping; 11. Sets August 1st as the beginning date for bear baiting season; and 12. It replaces the requirement that a boat operator have a license from the department to carry passengers for hire with a requirement that the operator successfully complete a boating safety course provided by a national association of boating law administrators approved by the commissioner.
Status: House refers to Joint Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in concurrence

Introduced: 05/03/2017
Sponsor: Senator Kimberley C. Rosen
Issue Brief: Guns (General)
Summary:  This bill transfers the authority to issue nonconcealed firearm permits in certain cases from the Department of Public Safety to the Office of the Governor.
Status: House refers to Joint Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety in concurrence on May 4

Introduced: 01/11/2017
Sponsor: Delegate Meagan Simonaire
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary: Provides for complimentary hunting and fishing licenses to active military, former prisoners of war, recipients of the Purple Heart Award and disabled veterans; requires verification; requires the Department of Natural Resources to submit a certain report to the Governor and General Assembly.
Status: Signed by Governor Larry Hogan, Member, Governors Sportsmen's Caucus on May 4

Introduced: 01/11/2017
Sponsor: Delegate Ned Carey, Co-Chair, Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary: Authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to issue a complimentary angler's license, Chesapeake Bay and coastal sport fishing license, or hunting license and any associated State-issued stamps or permits to a State resident who is a recipient of the Purple Heart award; makes certain stylistic changes; relates generally to complimentary hunting and fishing licenses for recipients of the Purple Heart award.
Status: Signed by Governor Larry Hogan, Member, Governors Sportsmen's Caucus on May 4

Introduced: 01/20/2017
Sponsor: Delegate Shane Robinson
Issue Brief: Fishing Tournaments
Summary: Requires the Department of Natural Resources to prepare a certain fishery management plan for the cownose ray species; requires the Department to prepare a certain fishery management plan for the cownose ray species on or before a certain date, subject to available funding; prohibits a person from sponsoring, conducting, or participating in a certain cownose ray fishing contest in state waters; establishes penalties for certain violations.
Status: Signed by Governor Larry Hogan, Member, Governors Sportsmen's Caucus on May 4

Introduced: 01/25/2017
Sponsor: Montgomery County Delegation
Issue Brief: Sunday Hunting Restrictions
Summary: Authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to allow a person to hunt deer on specified property during a specified time period on specified Sundays in Montgomery County, subject to specified provisions of law; establishes that the authority of the Department to allow deer hunting on specified Sundays does not apply in Montgomery County.
Status: Signed by Governor Larry Hogan, Member, Governors Sportsmen's Caucus on May 4
 
Introduced: 01/25/2017
Sponsor: Delegate Jay Jacobs, Member, Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Sunday Hunting Restrictions
Summary: Establishes that the authority of the Department to allow deer hunting on certain Sundays does not apply in Kent County; authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to allow a person to hunt deer on private property on Sundays in Kent County subject to certain provisions of law and certain time restrictions.
Status: Signed by Governor Larry Hogan, Member, Governors Sportsmen's Caucus on May 4

Introduced: 01/25/2017
Sponsor: Montgomery County Delegation
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Alters the size of the safety zone for archery hunters in Montgomery County within which archery hunting may not take place except under specified circumstances; requires archery hunters in Montgomery County to use a tree stand when hunting certain animals within a certain distance of certain buildings.
Status: Signed by Governor Larry Hogan, Member, Governors Sportsmen's Caucus on May 4
 
Introduced: 01/27/2017
Sponsor: Delegate Wendell Beitzel, Co-Chair, Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: American System of Conservation Funding
Summary: Establishes the State Lakes Protection and Restoration Fund as a special, nonlapsing fund; specifies the purpose of the Fund is to protect and restore State-owned lakes; requires the Department of Natural Resources to develop a specified budget; requires any interest earning of the Fund be credited to the Fund.
Status: Signed by Governor Larry Hogan, Member, Governors Sportsmen's Caucus on May 4
 
Introduced: 02/03/2017
Sponsor: Eastern Shore Delegation
Issue Brief: White-tailed Deer Management - Hunting as a Preferred Management Tool, Sunday Hunting Restrictions
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: Signed by Governor Larry Hogan, Member, Governors Sportsmen's Caucus on May 4
 
Introduced: 02/10/2017
Sponsor: Delegate Jay Jacobs, Member, Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Requires the Department of Natural Resources to adopt regulations that authorizes a tidal fish licensee authorized to catch crabs using all legal gear to work one additional early hour on certain days.
Status: Signed by Governor Larry Hogan, Member, Governors Sportsmen's Caucus on May 4

Maryland H 1427
Introduced:
02/10/2017
Sponsor: Delegate Herb McMillan
Issue Brief: Apprentice Hunting License
Summary: Establishes an apprentice hunting license that confers specified rights on a purchaser of the license; authorizes a person to obtain an apprentice hunting license on completion of a short online or electronic course of instruction in competency in firearms and hunter safety approved by the Department of Natural Resources; authorizes specified persons to hunt under an apprentice license only if accompanied and directly supervised by a person who is at least a minimum age and has a valid resident permit.
Status: Signed by Governor Larry Hogan, Member, Governors Sportsmen's Caucus on May 4
 
Introduced: 01/11/2017
Sponsor: Senator Bryan Simonaire, Member Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary: Authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to issue certain complimentary fishing licenses to an out-of-state person who certifies that the person is a former prisoner of war or a 100% service connected disabled American veteran if the person's state of residence extends similar privileges to former prisoners of war or 100% service connected disabled American veterans of this state; alters a certain exemption from the requirement to obtain a trout stamp.
Status: Signed by Governor Larry Hogan, Member, Governors Sportsmen's Caucus on May 4
 
Introduced: 01/11/2017
Sponsor: Senator Steve Waugh, Member, Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Requires the Department of Natural Resources to adopt regulations that authorize a tidal fish licensee authorized to catch crabs using all legal gear to work additional early hours on certain days.
Status: Signed by Governor Larry Hogan, Member, Governors Sportsmen's Caucus on May 4
 
Introduced: 01/11/2017
Sponsor: Senator Bryan 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: Signed by Governor Larry Hogan, Member, Governors Sportsmen's Caucus on May 4
 
Introduced: 01/20/2017
Sponsor: Senator Ronald Young
Issue Brief: Fishing Tournaments
Summary: Requires the Department of Natural Resources to prepare a certain fishery management plan for the cownose ray species; prohibits a person from organizing, sponsoring, promoting, conducting, or participating in a certain cownose ray fishing tournament in state waters until a certain date; makes this act an emergency measure.
Status: Signed by Governor Larry Hogan, Member, Governors Sportsmen's Caucus on May 4
 
Introduced: 02/01/2017
Sponsor: Senator Ronald Young
Issue Brief: Licenses (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: Signed by Governor Larry Hogan, Member, Governors Sportsmen's Caucus on May 4

Introduced: 02/02/2017
Sponsor: Senator Brian Feldman
Issue Brief: Substandard Kennels
Summary: Alters the conditions under which a person is required to obtain a kennel license from a local licensing agency.
Status: Signed by Governor Larry Hogan, Member, Governors Sportsmen's Caucus on May 4

Introduced: 05/08/2017
Sponsor: Senator Brian Stack
Issue Brief: Guns (General)
Summary: Increases fee for firearms purchaser identification card; requires color photo on firearms purchaser identification cards permits to purchase handgun, and permits to carry handgun.
Status: To Senate Committee on Law and Public Safety on May 8

Introduced: 01/09/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member Aileen M. Gunther, Co-Chair, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Licenses (General)
Summary:  Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; directs the commissioner of environmental conservation to promulgate rules and regulations establishing gift cards for hunting and fishing licenses in New York State.
Status: To Assembly Committee on Ways and Means on May 9

Introduced: 05/05/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member Addie Jenne, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Off Highway Vehicles (OHV)
Summary:  Amends the definition of all-terrain vehicles to include certain vehicles of up to seventy inches long and 1500 pounds which consist of a side-by-side passenger configuration and which include certain safety features; regulates the operation of all terrain vehicles by the general public in the state forest preserve, Long Island central pine barrens area and Albany pine bush preserve.
Status: Amended in Assembly Committee on Transportation on May 5

Introduced: 01/12/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member Steve Englebright
Issue Brief: Technology and the Fair Chase Ethic
Summary:  Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; prohibits the hunting or taking of wildlife with the aid of an unmanned aerial vehicle.
Status: To Assembly Committee on Codes on May 9

Introduced: 01/12/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member Kenneth Zebrowski, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; decreases the amount of alcohol in a person's system necessary to be considered to be intoxicated while hunting.
Status: To Assembly Committee on Codes on May 9

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 Ways and Means on May 9

Introduced: 02/14/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member Dan Quart
Issue Brief: Knife Ban Repeal
Summary:  Amends the Penal Law; relates to the definition of a gravity knife.
Status: Passed Assembly. To Senate Committee on Codes on May 10

Introduced: 05/02/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member Steve Englebright
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  Relates to residency requirements for free hunting, fishing and trapping licenses; removes certain residency requirements for members of certain tribes and of the armed forces and organized militia.
Status: To Assembly Committee on Ways and Means on May 9

Introduced: 05/03/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member William Magee, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Licenses (General)
Summary: Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; relates to the definition of non-ambulatory for purposes of non-ambulatory hunting permits.
Status: To Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation on May 3

Introduced: 05/03/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member Aileen M. Gunther, Co-Chair, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary: Amends the Tax Law; creates a tax credit for instructors of a hunting safety course up to a specified amount.
Status: To Assembly Committee on Ways and Means on May 3

Introduced: 01/04/2017
Sponsor: Senator Joseph E. Robach, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Enforcement
Summary: Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; relates to the illegal taking of deer.
Status: From Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation on May 9

Introduced: 01/04/2017
Sponsor: Senator Robert Ortt, 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; requires the department to review Laws and policies pertaining to free or reduced cost hunting and fishing licenses.
Status: From Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation on May 9

Introduced: 01/05/2017
Sponsor: Senator Catharine Young, 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: Passed Senate. To Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation on May 10

Introduced: 01/06/2017
Sponsor: Senator Robert Ortt, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Right to Hunt, Fish, and Harvest Wildlife
Summary: Relates to the right to hunt, trap and fish; provides for regulation by the state.
Status: From Senate Committee on Judiciary on May 9

Introduced: 01/09/2017
Sponsor: Senator Patrick M. Gallivan, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Crossbows
Summary: Amends the environmental conservation law, in relation to crossbows; repeals certain provisions of such law relating thereto.
Status: From Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation on May 9

Introduced: 01/17/2017
Sponsor: Senator Tom O'Mara, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Hunting, Angling & Nature Appreciation in Schools
Summary: Relates to hunting, fishing and outdoor education in high school physical education courses.
Status: From Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation on May 9

Introduced: 01/18/2017
Sponsor: Senator Patrick M. Gallivan, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; eliminates the requirement that hunters wear back tags during hunting season in the state.
Status: From Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation on May 9

Introduced: 01/19/2017
Sponsor: Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Licenses (General)
Summary: Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; protects certain information on hunting, fishing and trapping license and permit applications from disclosure or release outside of the department of environmental conservation.
Status: From Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation on May 9

Introduced: 03/02/2017
Sponsor: Senator Robert Ortt, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; authorizes hunting of big game with rifles in the county of Orleans.
Status: From Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation on May 9

Introduced: 04/04/2017
Sponsor: Senator George Amedore, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Makes permanent the provisions of law authorizing the hunting of big game in the county of Schenectady with pistols, rifles, shotguns, crossbows and long bows.
Status: From Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation on May 9

Introduced: 05/05/2017
Sponsor: Senator Tom O'Mara, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; relates to licensing of guides and outfitters.
Status: To Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation on May 5

Introduced: 05/09/2017
Sponsor: Senator David Valesky, Co-Chair, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: State Fish and Wildlife Management Authority
Summary: Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; relates to wildlife management by the department of environmental conservation in municipalities.
Status: To Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation on May 9

Introduced: 02/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative Barry Jozwiak
Issue Brief: Hunting with Dogs
Summary: Amends Game of the Consolidated Statutes; relates to in hunting and furtaking; provides for the offense of dogs pursuing, injuring or killing big game.
Status: Passed House unanimously (196-0). To Senate on May 10

Introduced: 01/11/2017
Sponsor: Representative Gregg Amore
Issue Brief: Guns (General)
Summary:  Prohibits any person convicted of a misdemeanor offense under Section 12-29-2 (a crime involving domestic violence) from purchasing, owning, transporting, carrying, or possessing any firearm; provides that people who have had their convictions expunged, set aside, or who have had their civil rights restored would not be considered a prohibited person under this chapter.
Status: Committee postponed at request of Sponsor (05/09/2017) on May 5
 
Introduced: 02/15/2017
Sponsor: Representative Theresa Ann Tanzi
Issue Brief: Guns (General)
Summary:  Limits access to firearms when an individual is under certain types of domestic restraining orders or protective orders issued or renewed on or after a specified date.
Status: Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (05/09/2017) on May 5

Introduced: 02/02/2017
Sponsor: Senator Paul W. Fogarty
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  Would require DEM to issue regulations requiring any dock or pier longer than twenty feet (20') and located on a freshwater lake or pond to be equipped with reflective material such that it can be seen by watercraft operators. This act would take effect upon passage.
Status: Placed on Senate Calendar (05/11/2017) on May 9

Introduced: 02/02/2017
Sponsor: Senator Paul W. Fogarty
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  Would provide for the creation of a new position in the fish and wildlife division of the department of environmental management, and would place oversight of freshwater lakes, streams, and ponds, in the fish and wildlife division. This act would take effect upon passage.
Status: Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (05/10/2017) on May 5

Introduced: 02/02/2017
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 permanent licenses for a senior citizens; relates to fees.
Status: Eligible for Governor's desk on May 4

Introduced: 02/09/2017
Sponsor: Representative Amy Sheldon
Issue Brief: Forest Management
Summary:  Relates to protecting working forests and habitat.
Status: To Senate Committee on Rules on May 10
 
Introduced: 03/23/2017
Sponsor: Senator John Rodgers, Co-Chair, Vermont Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Exotic Invasive Species
Summary:  Relates to aquatic nuisance species control; prohibits prohibit the transport of additional aquatic plants and aquatic nuisance species to or from waters of the State; requires visual inspection of vehicles, vessels, personal watercraft, seaplanes, trailers, and other equipment for aquatic plants and aquatic nuisance species when leaving a water of the State; requires a boat or personal watercraft to be cleaned in a boat wash prior to launching in a lake or pond if a public boat wash facility.
Status: Eligible for Governor's desk on May 5

 
SOUTHEASTSOUTHEASTERN STATES


Introduced:  03/07/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Carlos G. Smith
Issue Brief:  Ammunition Restrictions (non-lead); Standard Capacity Magazines; Guns (General); Modern Sporting Rifle
Summary:  Relates to assault weapons and high capacity magazines; prohibits sale or transfers of assault weapon or large capacity ammunition magazine; provides exceptions; prohibits possession of assault weapon or large-capacity magazine; provides exceptions; requires certificates of possession for assault weapons or large capacity ammunition magazines lawfully possessed before specified date; limits transfers of weapons or large capacity ammunition magazines represented by such certificates.
Status:  In House. Died in committee on May 8
 
Prefiled:  03/07/2017
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: In House. Died in committee on May 8
 
Introduced:  03/07/17
Sponsor: Representative Halsley Beshears, Co-Chair, Florida Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to nonnative animals; directs Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC), in consultation with Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), to establish pilot program for eradication of specific species; requires Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC) to enter into specified contracts and to submit report to Governor and Legislature; provides appropriation.
Status:  In Senate. Died in committee on May 8 
 
Introduced:  02/10/2017
Sponsor: Representative Thad Altman, Member, Florida Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to water resources; revises requirements for issuance of certain bonds; provides for reservoir project in Everglades Agricultural Area; requires South State Water Management District to seek out specified property and coordinate with Untied States Army Corps of Engineers; provides project requirements; provides contingent appropriations.
Status:  In House. Died in committee on May 8
 
Introduced:  03/07/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Kristin Diane Jacobs
Issue Brief:  Marine Protected Areas
Summary:  Relates to coral reefs establishes Southeast State Coral Reef Ecosystem Protection Area; requires Coral Reef Conservation Program, in coordination with Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC), to develop specified comprehensive management plan for area.
Status:  In Senate. Died in committee on May 8
 
Introduced:  03/07/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Tom Goodson
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to Brevard County Indian River Lagoon Living Shorelines; provides an appropriation for the Brevard County Indian River Lagoon Living Shorelines.
Status:  In House. Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration on May 5
 
Introduced:  03/07/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Joseph Geller
Issue Brief:  Angling Access, Budget Bills
Summary:  Provides an appropriation for the Miami-Dade Rebuild Haulover Park Fishing Pier
Status:  In House. Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration on May 5
 
Introduced:  04/24/2017
Sponsor:  House Government Accountability Committee
Issue Brief:  Conservation Funding
Summary:  Relates to Florida Forever Program; revises distribution of proceeds from Florida Forever Program Trust Fund; eliminates and consolidates funding for certain land acquisition and management programs.
Status: In Senate. Died in committee on May 8
 
Introduced:  03/07/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Linda Stewart
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to State black bears; creates the State Black Bear Habitat Restoration Act; requires the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the Department of Environmental Protection to coordinate certain duties and responsibilities to protect State black bears and to preserve their habitat.
Status:  In Senate. Died in committee on May 8
 
Introduced:  03/07/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Gary Farmer
Issue Brief:  Marine Protected Areas
Summary:  Relates to coral reefs.
Status:  In Senate. Died in committee on May 8

Introduced:  02/20/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Andy Wells
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Removes safety hazards and restore the state's natural riverine resources by facilitating the removal of obsolete and unwanted dams.
Status:  From Senate Committee on Rules and Operations of the Senate: reported favorably on May 10

Introduced:  03/15/2017
Sponsor: Senator Tom McInnis, Member, North Carolina Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Creates a coyote tagging and bounty program in Richmond County.
Status:  Withdrawn from House Committee on Rules, Calendar and Operations of the House, and re-referred to House Committee on Elections and Ethics Law on May 8
 
Introduced:  02/8/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Steve Southerland, Member, Tennessee Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to Game and Fish laws; limits the court costs that may be imposed against a person convicted of not wearing sufficient blaze orange while hunting to $50.00.
Status : Eligible for Governor's Desk on May 5 


MIDWESTMIDWESTERN STATES


Introduced: 02/02/2017
Sponsor: Representative Tony McCombie
Issue Brief: Licenses (General)
Summary: Amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code; provides that non-resident and resident aquatic life dealer licenses, wholesale aquatic life dealer licenses, mussel dealer permits, minnow dealer licenses, taxidermist licenses, aquaculture permits, commercial roe dealer permits, and daily fee fishing area licenses shall all expire on a specified date annually; amends the Wildlife Code to make a conforming change.
Status: To Senate Committee on Assignments on May 10

Introduced: 02/08/2017
Sponsor: Representative Jerry Costello, Member, Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Licenses (General)
Summary: Amends the Wildlife Code; provides that except as provided in the Code, it is unlawful to possess the green hides of fur bearing mammals without a valid hunting or trapping license; provides that the annual fee for each resident fur buyer's permit shall be a specified amount; provides that all fur buyers and non-resident auction participants shall maintain records of the receipt, collection, purchase, and sale of green hides of fur-bearing mammals.
Status: In Senate. Placed on Calendar Order Second Reading on May 5

Introduced: 02/09/2017
Sponsor: Representative Avery Bourne
Issue Brief: Licenses (General)
Summary: Amends the Wildlife Code; defines hunting license as an electronic or physical license authorizing the person to take a certain type of animal during a specified period of time.
Status: In Senate. Placed on Calendar Order Second Reading on May 4
 
Introduced: 02/09/2017
Sponsor: Representative Sheri Jesiel
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code; provides that all trout, including lake trout, salmon, and lake whitefish may not be taken by commercial fishing devices, including gill or pound nets; provides that any incidental catch of trout, including lake trout, salmon, and lake whitefish taken in legal sized gill or pound nets must be returned immediately to the water; provides that the methods of taking are subject to modification by administrative rule based upon lake-wide scientific assessment data.
Status: In Senate. Placed on Calendar Order Second Reading on May 11
 
Introduced: 02/09/2017
Sponsor: Representative Sheri Jesiel
Issue Brief: General
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; provides that, at times determined by the Director, the Department shall advertise a public drawing to accept new qualified commercial fishing candidates and establish a ranking order for these new candidates.
Status: In Senate. Placed on Calendar Order Second Reading on May 11
 
Introduced: 02/07/2017
Sponsor: Senator Napoleon Harris
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code; provides that all trout, including lake trout, salmon, and lake whitefish may not be taken by commercial fishing devices, including gill or pound nets; provides that any incidental catch of trout, including lake trout, salmon, and lake whitefish taken in legal sized gill or pound nets must be returned immediately to the water; provides that the methods of taking are subject to modification by administrative rule based upon lake wide scientific assessment data.
Status: To House Committee on Rules on May 11
 
Introduced: 02/07/2017
Sponsor: Senator Napoleon Harris
Issue Brief: General
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: To House Committee on Rules on May 11 
 
Introduced: 02/09/2017
Sponsor: Senator Neil Anderson, Member, Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Crossbows
Summary: Amends the Wildlife Code; repeals provision providing that it is unlawful to use any crossbow for the purpose of taking any wild game or mammals except as provided in the Code; releases Sections concerning use of crossbows.
Status: To House Committee on Rules on May 10

Introduced: 02/09/2017
Sponsor: Senator Neil Anderson, Member, Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Licenses (General)
Summary: Amends the Wildlife Code; provides that except as provided in the Code, it is unlawful to possess the green hides of fur bearing mammals without a valid hunting or trapping license; provides that the annual fee for each resident fur buyer's permit shall be a specified sum; provides that all fur buyers and non-resident auction participants shall maintain records of the receipt, collection, purchase, and sale of green hides of fur-bearing mammals.
Status: To House Committee on Rules on May 9
 
Introduced: 02/09/2017
Sponsor: Senator Julie Morrison
Issue Brief: Firearms Preemption
Summary: Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act; provides that the regulation of the possession or ownership of dangerous and unusual weapons are exclusive Powers of the State and any ordinance or regulation that purports to regulate the possession or ownership of a dangerous and unusual weapon in a manner inconsistent with the Act shall be invalid; defines dangerous and unusual weapon.
Status: Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments Committee on May 5

Introduced: 05/08/2017
Sponsor: Representative Kyle Hoffman, Co-Chair, Kansas Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: American System of Conservation Funding
Summary: Commemorates the 80th Anniversary of the American System of Conservation Funding.
Status: Passed House on May 8

Introduced: 05/08/2017
Sponsor: Senator Mike Petersen, Co-Chair, Kansas Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: American System of Conservation Funding
Summary: Commemorates the 80th Anniversary of the American System of Conservation Funding.
Status: Passed Senate on May 8
 
Introduced: 0 4/10/17
Sponsor: Representative John Guinn, Member, Louisiana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Changes the name of the "Quail Unlimited" prestige license plate to the "Quail Forever" prestige license plate.
Status: To Senate Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works on April 27
 
Introduced: 0 4/10/2017
Sponsor: Representative Stuart Bishop, Member, Louisiana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Requests the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to examine the issues involved in a program to issue a safe boater decal.
Status: Ordered engrossed on May 3
 
Introduced: 05/9/2017
Sponsor: Representative Stuart Bishop, Member, Louisiana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Feral Hogs
Summary: Urges and requests the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, and the Louisiana Feral Hog Management Advisory Task Force to study the use of Kaput feral hog bait.
Status: To House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment on May 10
 
Introduced: 04/10/2017
Sponsor: Senator Bret Allain, Member, Louisiana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Angling Access
Summary: Limits the permissible uses of monies in the Saltwater Fish Research and Conservation Fund.
Status: To House Committee on Appropriations on May 10
 
Introduced: 05/3/2017
Sponsor: Senator Bret Allain, Member, Louisiana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Angling Access
Summary: Memorializes Congress to pass legislation or adopt policies allowing Louisiana to manage the Gulf of Mexico red snapper fishery out to two hundred nautical Miles off the coast of Louisiana.
Status: To Senate Committee on Natural Resources on May 8
 
Introduced: 03/02/17
Sponsor : Senator Dale Zorn, Member, Michigan Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Enforcement
Summary: Increases penalties for possessing the carcass of a deer or elk killed in another state.
Status: Passed Senate. To House Committee on Natural Resources on May 9
 
Introduced:  04/19/2017
Sponsor: Senator Tom Casperson, Member, Michigan Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  Suspends caps on DNR land purchases if payments in lieu of taxes have not been made and revises DNR land management, acquisition and disposal requirements.
Status: In Senate. Second reading on May 4
 
Introduced:  02/06/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Dan Fabian
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to state government; appropriates money for environment and natural resources; modifies certain game and fish license and permit provision; modifies provisions to take, possess, and transport wildlife; modifies buffer requirements; prohibits further lead shot rulemaking by DNR; modifies invasive species provisions.
Status: Conference Committee Report adopted by Senate and sent to Governor on May 9

Introduced:  02/15/17
Sponsor:  Representative Joshua Heintzeman
Issue Brief: Budget Bill
Summary:  Relates to natural resources; appropriates money from environment and natural resources trust fund; modifies requirements for receipt of fund money.
Status: In House. Second reading on May 4
 
Introduced: 01/17/2017
Sponsor: Senator Michael Groene
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to crimes and offenses; provide for possession of archery equipment and knives for recreational purposes; provides a person commits the offense of possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person if he or she possesses a firearm, a knife, or brass or iron knuckles and he or she, has previously been convicted of a felony, is a fugitive from justice, is the subject of a current and validly issued domestic violence protection order or harassment protection order and is knowingly violating.
Status: Signed by Governors Sportsmen's Caucus Member Governor Pete Ricketts on May 9
 
Introduced: 01/18/2017
Sponsor: Senator Dan Quick
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Changes provisions of the Nebraska Lottery and Raffle Act relating to gross proceeds restrictions, special permits, and prize percentages.
Status: From Legislative Committee on General Affairs: Placed on General Files as amended on May 8
 
Introduced: 01/18/2017
Sponsor: Senator Paul Schumacher, Member, Nebraska Legislative Sportsmen's Forum
Issue Brief: Knife Preemption
Summary: Defines the term knife for certain provisions of the criminal code.
Status: Signed by Governors Sportsmen's Caucus Member Governor Pete Ricketts on May 10
 
Introduced: 01/18/2017
Sponsor: Senator Curt Friesen, Co-Chair, Nebraska Legislative Sportsmen's Forum
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Changes provisions relating to mowing of weeds.
Status: Passed Legislature, to Governor on May 8
 
Introduced: 02/06/2017
Sponsor: Senator Josh Brecheen, Member, Oklahoma Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Hunter Recruitment, Retention, Reactivation
Summary: Relates to hunting; relates to hunting licenses; creates youth-family-of-resident licenses for certain nonresidents; provides an effective date.
Status: Senate concurred in House amendments on May 10
 
Introduced:  01/25/17
Sponsor:  Representative Elizabeth May
Issue Brief:  General License
Summary:  Revises certain provisions regarding resident fishing possession limits.
Status: Chaptered into Session Law on May 9
 
Introduced:  02/01/17
Sponsor:  Representative Taffy Howard
Issue Brief:  Substandard Kennels
Summary:  Revises certain provisions regarding the regulation of commercial breeding operations; removes the requirement for a licensed veterinarian to be in attendance during an investigation of a commercial breeding operation.
Status:  Chaptered into Session Law on May 9
 
Introduced:  01/26/17
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:  Chaptered into Session Law on May 9
 
Introduced:  01/26/17
Sponsor:  Representative 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; includes a snowmobile permit.
Status:  Chaptered into Session law on May 9
 
Introduced: 01/10/2017
Sponsor: Representative Andrew Murr
Issue Brief: Freshwater Angling Access
Summary: Relates to the procedure by which a state agency may issue an opinion that a watercourse is navigable.
Status: Committee report sent to calendars on May 5
 
Introduced: 01/10/2017
Sponsor: Representative Ryan Guillen, Member, Texas Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to sound-producing devices on vessels.
Status: Passed House. To Senate on May 5
 
Introduced: 02/14/2017
Sponsor: Representative Poncho Nevarez
Issue Brief: State Fish and Wildlife Management Authority
Summary: Relates to a documented member of the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of the state hunting certain deer.
Status: To Senate Committee on Agriculture, Water, and Rural Affairs on May 8
 
Introduced: 03/3/2017
Sponsor: Representative Chris Paddie
Issue Brief: High Fence, Chronic Wasting Disease
Summary: Relates to the identification of breeder deer by use of microchip implants
Status: Placed on General State Calendar on May 8
 
Introduced: 03/08/2017
Sponsor: Representative Lynn Stucky
Issue Brief: Feral Hogs
Summary: Relates to the study and approval of lethal pesticides for feral hog control.
Status: Left pending in committee on May 8
 
Introduced: 03/09/2017
Sponsor: Representative Mark Keough
Issue Brief: Feral Hogs
Summary: Relates to the taking of certain feral hogs and coyotes using a hot air balloon.
Status: Passed House. To Senate on May 9
 
Introduced: 03/09/2017
Sponsor: Representative Dennis Bonnen
Issue Brief: Gulf of Mexico Red Snapper Management 
Summary: Encourages Congress to pass legislation allowing the state to manage the Gulf of Mexico red snapper fishery out to 200 nautical Miles.
Status: To Senate Committee on Agriculture, Water, and Rural Affairs on May 5
 
Introduced: 01/23/17
Sponsor: Senator Craig Estes, Member, Texas Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to the disposition of proceeds from the sale of freshwater fishing stamps issued by the Parks and Wildlife Department.
Status: To House Committee on Culture, Recreation, and Tourism on May 5
 
Introduced: 02/02/2017
Sponsor: Senator Charles Perry
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to a fee for participation in the Managed Lands Deer Program of the Parks and Wildlife Department.
Status: To House Committee on Culture, Recreation, and Tourism on May 5
 
Introduced: 03/20/17
Sponsor : Representative Mary Felzkowski
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to regulation of aquaculture and fish farms; relates to providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures; grants rule-making authority.
Status: Passed Senate on May 10 
 
Introduced: 05/08/17
Sponsor : Representative Joel Kleefisch, Co-Chair, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Authorizes a person to hunt from a motor vehicle equipped with a mechanized lift.
Status: To Assembly Committee on Natural Resources and Sporting Heritage on May 8
 
Introduced: 05/4/17
Sponsor : Senators Terry Moulton and Mark Miller, Co-Chairs, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to a uniform end date for certain open hunting and trapping seasons.
Status: To Senate Committee on Sporting Heritage, Mining, and Forestry on May 4


WESTWESTERN STATES  


Introduced:  04/05/2017
Sponsor:  Representatives Jim Wilson and Jeni Arndt, Co-Chairs, Colorado Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Briefs: General License; Invasive Species
Summary:  Concerns the parks and wildlife commission's authority to set certain charges assessed on people engaging in activities regulated by the division of parks and wildlife; sets certain hunting, fishing, parks, and recreation fees and fines, creating an aquatic nuisance species sticker and associated fee structure, and requiring reporting by the division of parks and wildlife on fee amounts and the use of division-managed lands by non-consumptive users.
Status:  Postponed indefinitely by Senate Finance Committee (3-2) on May 4
 
Introduced:  05/05/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Jessie Danielson
Issue Briefs: Seniors Vets
Summary:  Concerns granting certain licenses to take wildlife to Colorado residents who have served for at least two years in the United States Armed Forces.
Status:  Passed House Committee on State, Veterans and Military Affairs on May 8

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:  Failed second crossover deadline on April 13
 
Introduced:  03/02/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Matt LoPresti
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  Urges the Department of Land and Natural Resources to conduct statewide public outreach regarding the establishment of a noncommercial marine fishing registry, permit, or license system in Hawaii.
Status: Failed first crossover deadline on April 6

Introduced : 02/10/2017
Sponsor: Representative Kelly Flynn, Member, Montana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Creates the Montana wildlife habitat improvement act; allows the use of federal funds to combat noxious weeds and restore wildlife habitat; establishes a wildlife habitat improvement advisory council; provides rulemaking authority.
Status : Signed into law by Governors Sportsmen's Caucus Co-Chair Steve Bullock on May 7

Introduced : 03/15/2017
Sponsor: Representative Alan Doane
Issue Brief : Access to Private Lands
Summary : Creates the Montana public land access network grant program; authorizes donations; creates the Montana public land access network account; authorizes disbursements; requires board of land commissioner approval; requires access easements to be held and enforced by the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation excludes payment for access from adjusted gross income; provides a statutory appropriation; provides definitions; provides rulemaking authority.
Status : Signed into law by Governors Sportsmen's Caucus Co-Chair Steve Bullock on May 9

Introduced : 03/21/2017
Sponsor: Representative Mike Cuffe, Member, Montana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : Invasive Species
Summary : Revises laws related to invasive species; establishes the invasive species council; establishes the upper Columbia conservation commission; provides powers and duties; requires reporting; revises location and timing of inspections in the statewide invasive species management area; authorizes county invasive species ordinances; establishes the Missouri River containment and quarantine program; establishes the upper Columbia pilot program.
Status : Signed into law by Governors Sportsmen's Caucus Co-Chair Steve Bullock on May 7

Introduced : 03/21/2017
Sponsor: Representative Kerry White, Member, Montana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Revises laws related to bonus points for hunting licenses, tags, and permits; allows the purchase of preference points without the purchase of a license; allows a person to purchase only one bonus point per species per license year and may purchase a bonus point when applying for a license, tag, or permit by paying the fee established per species.
Status : Signed into law by Governors Sportsmen's Caucus Co-Chair Steve Bullock on May 7
 
Introduced : 01/2/2017
Sponsor: Senator Mark Blasdel, Member, Montana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Allows online sale of raffle tickets by non-profit organizations.
Status : Signed into law by Governors Sportsmen's Caucus Co-Chair Steve Bullock on May 4

Introduced : 01/31/2017
Sponsor: Senator Jedediah Hinkle, Co-Chair, Montana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : General License
Summary : Revises hunting license laws; clarifies which hunting licenses are available to certain nonresidents at a discounted price; authorizes nonresident college students, nonresident youth, and nonresident relatives of residents to purchase a nonresident elk-only combination license; authorizes nonresident college students and nonresident youth to purchase a class b-11 nonresident deer combination license; reclassifies the nonresident youth big game combination license as a class b-10 license.
Status : Signed into law by Governors Sportsmen's Caucus Co-Chair Steve Bullock on May 4
 
Introduced : 01/31/2017
Sponsor: Senator Jeff Welborn, Member, Montana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : Game Meat Donation Programs
Summary : Repeals the sunset on the hunters against hunger program; relates to fish and wildlife; relates to state revenue; relates to rule making.
Status : Signed into law by Governors Sportsmen's Caucus Co-Chair Steve Bullock on May 4
 
Introduced : 01/11/2017
Sponsor: Senator Jill Cohenour, Co-Chair, Montana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : Enforcement, General
Summary : Prohibits importing certain animal body parts from chronic wasting disease states; provides a penalty; relates to fish and wildlife; relates to state revenue; relates to rule making.
Status : Signed into law by Governors Sportsmen's Caucus Co-Chair Steve Bullock on May 4

Introduced : 02/1/2017
Sponsor: Representative Brian Clem, Member Oregon Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Removes certain restriction on number of nonresident annual black bear tags that may be issued by State Fish and Wildlife Commission for general hunting season; declares emergency, effective on passage.
Status : Work session held in Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee on May 11

Introduced : 02/1/2017
Sponsor: Office of Governor Kate Brown
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Requires boat operators to drain all standing or captured water before leaving water access site or riparian zone; provides exceptions; punishes by maximum fine of $250; clarifies that requirement to obtain aquatic invasive species prevention permit applies to persons 14 years of age or older if person is operating non-motorized boat; authorizes State Marine Board to combine aquatic invasive species prevention permit with other documents that board issues.
Status : Public hearing scheduled in Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee for May 15

Introduced : 02/1/2017
Sponsor: Representative Knute Buehler
Issue Brief : Game Meat Donation Programs
Summary : Modifies requirements relating to donating game meat to charitable organizations.
Status : Work session scheduled in Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee for May 15

Introduced : 02/1/2017
Sponsor: Representative Brad Witt, Co-Chair, Oregon Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : Apprentice Hunting Program
Summary : Extends age range of youth eligible to participate in youth hunter mentoring program to persons between nine and 16 years of age.
Status : Passed Senate. To Governor on May 9

Introduced : 02/9/2017
Sponsor: Representative Ken Helm, Member, Oregon Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Authorizes court to order State Fish and Wildlife Commission to revoke all licenses, tags, and permits issued under laws held by person who is convicted of violation of wildlife Laws for unlawfully taking wildlife with culpable mental state from registering as outfitter and guide; applies to violations of wildlife Laws committed on or after effective date of Act.
Status : Hearing scheduled in Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee for May 18

Introduced : 02/1/2017
Sponsor: Representative Mike McLane, Member, Oregon Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : Enforcement
Summary Requires State Fish and Wildlife Commission to implement program to encourage reporting of wildlife law violations
Status : Work session held in Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee on May 11

Introduced : 02/1/2017
Sponsor: Senator Bill Hansell, Member, Oregon Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : Deer Management
Summary : Requires State Fish and Wildlife Commission to adopt pilot program for urban deer population control; requires State Department of Fish and Wildlife to report to Legislative Assembly on implementation of pilot program during 2027 regular session.
Status : Work session scheduled in House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee for May 23

Introduced : 01/16/2017
Sponsor: Representative Brian Blake, Co-Chair, Washington Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Includes fish passage barrier removal projects that comply with the forest practices rules in the streamlined permit process; specifies requirements of the permit review and approval process; defines "forest practices rules"; relates to fish habitat enhancement and restoration.
Status : Signed by Governor on May 8
 
Introduced : 01/18/2017
Sponsor: Representative Tom Dent, Member, Washington Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Commissions an elk management pilot project that focuses initially on the Colockum elk herd.
Status : Signed by Governor on May 8

Introduced : 01/20/2017
Sponsor: Representative Brian Blake, Co-Chair, Washington Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : Access to Private Lands
Summary : Concerns the development of cooperative agreements to expand recreational access on privately owned lands.
Status : Signed by Governor on May 8

Introduced : 01/19/2017
Sponsor: Senator Jim Honeyford
Issue Brief : Invasive Species
Summary : Concerns aquatic invasive species management.
Status : Referred to House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on May 5
 
Introduced : 01/25/2017
Sponsor: Senator Phil Fortunato, Co-Chair, Washington Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Concerns expanding the permitted uses of surplus funds from boater education card fees to certain boating safety programs and activities.
Status : Referred to House Committee on Appropriations on May 5
 
Introduced : 01/27/2017
Sponsor: Jamie Pedersen
Issue Brief : Guns
Summary : Relates to background checks for firearms sales or transfers, but only with respect to clarifying that the term firearm does not include flare guns and construction tools; clarifies that the term transfer does not include transfers between an entity and its employee or agents for lawful purposes in the ordinary course of business; defines licensed collector and curio or relic, expanding the family member exemption to include loans and parents-in-law and siblings-in-law; provides exemptions.
Status : Signed by Governor on May 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: 
 
Senior Director, Northeastern States Brent Miller, at 202-543-6850 x13, or brent@sportsmenslink.org
Director, Southeastern States Bee Frederick, at 202-590-0475, or bee@sportsmenslink.org
Senior Director, Midwestern States Chris Horton, at 501-865-1475, or chris@sportsmenslink.org
Senior Director, Western States Andy Treharne, at 303-789-7589, or andy@sportsmenslink.org


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