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

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

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

Due to the high volume of legislation, Tracking the Capitols only includes bills that have had recent status updates. With questions about specific bills, please contact your 
Updates for the week of 
November 27, 2017
NORTHEAST
NORTHEASTERN STATES

Introduced: 02/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative Tacky Chan
Issue Brief: Fresh Water Angling Access
Summary:  Directs the Department of Conservation and Recreation to manage, operate, improve, repair and maintain the land under certain Waters accessed for recreational boating.
Status: In Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture: Heard. Eligible for Executive Session on November 29

Introduced: 02/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative David DeCoste
Issue Brief: White-tailed Deer Management - Hunting as a Preferred Management Tool
Summary:  Relates to bow hunting for deer in Wompatuck State Park.
Status: In Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture: Amended by sub. Of New Draft. See H 4038 on November 20

Introduced: 02/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative Thomas M. Stanley
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  Relates to the status of wild striped bass in the Commonwealth.
Status: In Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture: Heard. Eligible for Executive Session on November 29

Introduced: 02/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative Thomas M. Stanley
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  Relates to the Atlantic striped bass.
Status: In Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture: Heard. Eligible for Executive Session on November 29

Introduced: 02/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative Thomas M. Stanley
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  Relates to protecting the legal harvest of striped bass.
Status: In Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture: Heard. Eligible for Executive Session on November 29

Introduced: 01/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative David Paul Linsky
Issue Brief: Standard Capacity Magazines
Summary:  Relates to assault weapon magazine feeding devices.
Status: In Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security: Heard. Eligible for Executive Session on November 16

Introduced: 01/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative David Paul Linsky
Issue Brief: National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS)
Summary:  Relates to universal background checks for private gun sales.
Status: In Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security: Heard. Eligible for Executive Session on November 16

Introduced: 01/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative Marc T. Lombardo
Issue Brief: Modern Sporting Rifle
Summary:  Relates to definition of assault weapons.
Status: In Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security: Heard. Eligible for Executive Session on November 16

Introduced: 01/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative Paul W. Mark
Issue Brief: Guns (General)
Summary:  Permits the carrying of unloaded shotguns and rifles on public ways.
Status: In Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security: Heard. Eligible for Executive Session on November 16

Introduced: 01/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative James R. Miceli, Member, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Firearms Preemption
Summary:  Relates to laws, ordinances or regulations concerning to the lawful ownership, use, possession, transfer, purchase, receipt or transportation of weapons, antique weapons, ammunition or ammunition components.
Status: In Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security: Heard. Eligible for Executive Session on November 16

Introduced: 01/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative Todd M. Smola, Member, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Guns (General)
Summary:  Relates to the lawful sale of guns. 
Status: In Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security: Heard. Eligible for Executive Session on November 16

Introduced: 01/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative David T. Vieira, Co-Chair, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Guns (General)
Summary:  Relates to the transportation of firearms by non-residents. 
Status: In Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security: Heard. Eligible for Executive Session on November 16

Introduced: 03/08/2017
Sponsor: Representative Angelo L. D'Emilia, Co-Chair, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Ammunition Restrictions (Non-Lead)
Summary:  Allows for the lawful sale of inert ammunition components from certain out-or-state vendors to lawfully licensed gun owners in the Commonwealth.  
Status: In Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security: Heard. Eligible for Executive Session on November 16

Introduced: 03/08/2017
Sponsor: Representative Aaron Michlewitz
Issue Brief: Guns (General)
Summary:  Established a statewide gun offender registry.   
Status: In Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security: Heard. Eligible for Executive Session on November 16

Introduced: 03/08/2017
Sponsor: Representative Todd M. Smola, Member, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Guns (General)
Summary:  Relates to the licensing of firearms.    
Status: In Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security: Heard. Eligible for Executive Session on November 16

Introduced: 11/20/2017
Sponsor: Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture
Issue Brief: White-tailed Deer Management - Hunting as a Preferred Management Tool
Summary:  Relates to bow hunting for deer in Wompatuck State Park.    
Status: Introduced. New Draft for H 415. To House Committee on Ways and Means on November 20

Introduced: 02/22/2017
Sponsor: Senator James E. Timilty
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  Relates to the conservation of striped bass.    
Status: In Join Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture: Heard. Eligible for Executive Session on November 29

Introduced: 02/22/2017
Sponsor: Senator Donald F. Humason, Member, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Firearm Suppressors
Summary:  Relates to firearm suppressors.
Status: In Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security: Heard. Eligible for Executive Session on November 16

Introduced: 02/22/2017
Sponsor: Senator Donald F. Humason, Member, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Ammunition Restrictions (Non-Lead)
Summary:  Relates to the lawful sale of ammunition.
Status: In Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security: Heard. Eligible for Executive Session on November 16

Introduced: 02/22/2017
Sponsor: Senator Donald F. Humason, Member, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Guns (General)
Summary:  Relates to the lawful sale of handguns.
Status: In Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security: Heard. Eligible for Executive Session on November 16

Introduced: 02/22/2017
Sponsor: Senator Donald F. Humason, Member, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Modern Sporting Rifle
Summary:  Repeals the ban on modern sporting rifles.
Status: In Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security: Heard. Eligible for Executive Session on November 16

Introduced: 02/22/2017
Sponsor: Senator Michael Moore, Member, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Guns (General)
Summary:  Authorizes the Colonel of the State Police, or person authorized by him, to issue a temporary license to carry firearms to certain nonresidents.
Status: In Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security: Heard. Eligible for Executive Session on November 16

Introduced: 02/22/2017
Sponsor: Senator Michael Moore, Member, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Firearm Suppressors
Summary:  Relates to Firearm Suppressors
Status: In Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security: Heard. Eligible for Executive Session on November 16

Introduced: 05/04/2017
Sponsor: Senator Cynthia Stone Creem
Issue Brief: Guns (General)
Summary:  Prevents illegal trafficking of firearms.  
Status: Scheduled hearing pending for 11/28/2017 on November 21

Introduced: 11/06/2017
Sponsor: Representative James A. Spillane
Issue Brief: Modern Restraining Animal Traps
Summary:  Relates to live trapping of wild rabbits and hares by sporting clubs. 
Status: To House Committee on Fish and Game and Marine Resources on November 6

Introduced: 11/06/2017
Sponsor: Representative Carolyn L. Matthews
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  Relates to the protection of beavers. 
Status: To House Committee on Fish and Game and Marine Resources on November 6

New Hampshire H 1385 (Prefile)
Introduced: 11/06/2017
Sponsor: Representative Matthew Scruton
Issue Brief: Wolf in Sheep's Clothing - Animal Rights Groups
Summary:  Established a committee to study animal welfare in the state.  
Status: To House Committee on Fish and Game and Marine Resources on November 6

Introduced: 11/06/2017
Sponsor: Representative Gene Chandler, Co-Chair, New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Forest Management
Summary:  Relates to ordinances regarding forestry activities.  
Status: To House Committee on Municipal and County Government on November 6

Introduced: 11/06/2017
Sponsor: Representative J. R. Hoell, Member, New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: American System of Conservation Funding
Summary:  Relates to fish and game authority to adopt rules to set fees.   
Status: To House Committee on Fish and Game and Marine Resources on November 6

Introduced: 11/06/2017
Sponsor: Representative J. R. Hoell, Member, New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Enforcement
Summary:  Relates to the authority of fish and game officers regarding arrest and search and seizure.
Status: To House Committee on Fish and Game and Marine Resources on November 6

Introduced: 11/17/2017
Sponsor: Representative Thomas Buco
Issue Brief: American System of Conservation Funding
Summary:  Relates to reimbursement to municipalities for certain search and rescue operations.   
Status: Filed as LSR 2057 on November 20

Introduced: 06/13/2017
Sponsor: Senator Kenneth P. Lavalle
Issue Brief: State Fish and Wildlife Management Authority
Summary:  Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; relates to the taking of crabs; requires the Department of Environmental Conservation to cooperate with any town, village, or county that requests any municipal property be subject to a harvest closure when adopting regulation measures for Horseshoe Crab management. 
Status: Signed by governor on November 29  

Introduced: 11/16/2017
Sponsor: Representative Martin T. Causer, Member, Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: State Fish and Wildlife Management Authority
Summary:  Amends several titles combining the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and the Pennsylvania Game Commission; makes editorial changes.
Status: Introduced. To House Committee on Game and Fisheries on November 16

Introduced: 08/30/2017
Sponsor: Representative Thomas P. Murt
Issue Brief: National Hunting and Fishing Day
Summary:  Designates a specific month as Commonwealth Hunters Recognition Month.
Status: Passed House on November 21


SOUTHEAST
SOUTHEASTERN STATES


Introduced:  Prefiled on 11/20/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Adam Ebbin
Issue Brief:  Guns
Summary:   Relates to firearm transfers; relates to criminal history record information checks; relates to penalty; requires a background check for any firearm transfer and requires the Department of State Police to establish a process for transferors to obtain such a check from licensed firearms dealers; provides that a transferor who fails to obtain a required background check and sells the firearm to another person is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Status: To Senate Committee on Courts of Justice on November 20
 
Introduced:   Prefiled on 11/20/2017
Sponsor:  Senator William Stanley
Issue Brief:   Wolf in Sheeps Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups
Summary:   Relates to Animal Cruelty Conviction List established; requires the Superintendent of State Police to establish and maintain by 2020 an Animal Cruelty Conviction List that shall be available to the public on the website of the Department of State Police; provides that the list shall include the names of persons convicted of certain felony animal cruelty offenses on or after July 1, 2018.
Status: To Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources on November 20
 
Introduced:  Prefiled on 11/22/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Richard H. Black
Issue Brief:  Constitutional Carry
Summary:  Relates to concealed handgun permits; allows any person who is otherwise eligible to obtain a concealed handgun permit to carry a concealed handgun without a permit anywhere he may lawfully carry a handgun openly within the Commonwealth.
Status: To Senate Committee on Courts of Justice on November 22


MIDWEST MIDWESTERN STATES


Introduced: 2/15/2017
Sponsor: Senator John Proos, Member, Michigan Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Invasive Species
Summary:  Supports the recommendations of the Chicago Area Waterway System Advisory Committee to prevent Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes.
Status: Passed House on November 28
 
Introduced: 8/02/17
Sponsor : Representative Nick Milroy and Representative Joel Kleefisch, Co-Chairs, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Terminally Ill Youth Hunting Opportunities
Summary: Relates to hunting approvals issued to certain terminally ill individuals.
Status: Public Hearing held on November 28

Introduced: 8/07/2017
Sponsor : Representative James Edming, Member, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief Modern Restraining Animal Traps
Summary: Relates to the maximum height of pole traps.
Status: Public Hearing held on November 28

Introduced: 9/7/2017
Sponsor : Representative Ken Skowronski, Member, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary: Relates to resident deer hunting license, archer hunting license, and crossbow hunting license fees imposed for a veteran who is 70 years of age or older.
Status: Public Hearing held on November 28

Introduced: 11/14/2017
Sponsor : Representative Joel Kleefisch and Representative Nick Milroy, Co-Chairs, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Airguns/Airbows
Summary: Relates to hunting with a high-powered air rifle or an airbow; provides a criminal penalty.
Status:  To Assembly Committee on Environment and Forestry on November 14
 
Introduced: 11/20/2017
Sponsor : Representative Nick Milroy and Representative Joel Kleefisch, Co-Chairs, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary: Relates to voluntary contributions to pay for hunting and fishing approvals for disabled veterans; makes an appropriation.
Status: To Assembly Committee on Natural Resources and Sporting Heritage on November 22

Introduced: 11/20/2017
Sponsor : Senator Terry Moulton, Co-Chair, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Airguns/Airbows
Summary: Relates to hunting with a high-powered air rifle or an airbow; provides a criminal penalty.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Sporting Heritage, Mining, and Forestry on November 20

Introduced: 11/20/2017
Sponsor : Senator Terry Moulton and Senator Mark Miller, Co-Chairs, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary: Relates to voluntary contributions to pay for hunting and fishing approvals for disabled veterans; makes an appropriation.
Status: To Senate Committee on Sporting Heritage, Mining, and Forestry on November 20
 
Introduced: 8/03/2017
Sponsor : Senator Terry Moulton and Senator Mark Miller, Co-Chairs, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Terminally Ill Youth Hunting Opportunities
Summary: Relates to hunting approvals issued to certain terminally ill individuals.
Status: Public Hearing held on November 28

Introduced: 8/03/2017
Sponsor : Senator Jerry Petrowski
Issue Brief Modern Restraining Animal Traps
Summary: Relates to the maximum height of pole traps.
Status: Public Hearing held on November 28

Introduced: 9/14/2017
Sponsor : Senator Patrick Testin, Member, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary: Relates to resident deer hunting license, archer hunting license, and crossbow hunting license fees imposed for a veteran who is 70 years of age or older.
Status: Public Hearing held on November 28

Introduced: 11/06/2017
Sponsor : Senators Terry Moulton and Mark Miller, Co-Chairs, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to establishing an open season for hunting deer with muzzle-loading firearms within the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.
Status: Public Hearing held on November 28

Introduced: 11/06/2017
Sponsor : Senator Terry Moulton, Co-Chair, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Apprentice Hunting License
Summary: Relates to youth and trapping; creates a mentored trapping license; creates restrictions on taking or appropriating a trap or its contents; creates requirements for tagging traps.
Status: Public Hearing held on November 28


WESTWESTERN STATES

There are currently no updates.

        SCI SCI is a proud partner of CSF and
sponsors in part TRACKING THE CAPITOLS

 
 
Working with Congress, governors and state legislatures to protect and advance hunting, angling, recreational shooting, and trapping.
 
For more information on the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation visit: 
www.SportsmensLink.org

For additional information on legislation included in this report please contact the appropriate representative: 
 
Senior Director, Northeastern States Brent Miller, at 202-543-6850 x13, or brent@sportsmenslink.org
Director, Southeastern States Bee Frederick, at 202-590-0475, or bee@sportsmenslink.org
Senior Director, Midwestern States Chris Horton, at 501-865-1475, or chris@sportsmenslink.org
Senior Director, Western States Andy Treharne, at 303-789-7589, or andy@sportsmenslink.org


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