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 
January 16, 2017

NORTHEASTNORTHEASTERN STATES


Introduced:  01/12/2017
Sponsor: Representative Timothy J. Ackert, Member, Connecticut Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  Waives hunting license fees for bow and arrow hunters who are sixty-five and older; waives hunting license fees for certain senior citizens who hunt by bow and arrow.
Status:  To Joint Committee on Environment on January 12
 
Introduced:  01/12/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Kevin Skulczyck
Issue Brief:  Public Access to Private Lands; Sunday Hunting Restrictions
Summary:  Allows Sunday hunting on private lands.
Status:  To Joint Committee on Environment on January 12
 
Introduced:  01/13/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Stephanie Cummings
Issue Brief:  Public Access to Private Lands; Sunday Hunting Restrictions
Summary:  Allows Sunday hunting on private lands.
Status:  To Joint Committee on Environment on January 13
 
Introduced:  01/13/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Alfred F. Camillo
Issue Brief:  Modern Restraining Animal Traps; Wolf in Sheeps Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups
Summary:  Authorizes local bans on the trapping of animals; provides for local control of trapping.
Status:  To Joint Committee on Environment on January 13
 
Introduced:  01/13/2017
Sponsor: Representative Robert C. Sampson, Member, Connecticut Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Guns (General)
Summary:  Recognizes licenses to carry firearms issued by other states; recognizes permits or licenses to carry a firearm issued by other States that have substantially similar standards for carrying a firearm.
Status:  To Joint Committee on Public Safety and Security on January 13
 
Introduced:  01/13/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Toni Boucher
Issue Brief:  Ammunition Restrictions (non-lead)
Summary:  Concerns the sale of ammunition at gun clubs and firearm ranges; permits gun clubs and firearm ranges to sell ammunition for use at such club or range.
Status:  To Joint Committee on Public Safety and Security on January 13
 
Introduced:  01/10/2017
Sponsor: Representative Jeffrey Spiegelman ,Co-Chair, Delaware Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Game Meat Donation Programs
Summary:  Makes a specified chapter consistent with the Bill Emerson Act by protecting a gleaner from civil or criminal liability as it relates to their donation of the gleaned food; provides the state is free to provide greater protection than the Bill Emerson Act; extends to those who, in good faith, donate food to state agencies the same immunity from civil or criminal liability that is granted to those who, in good faith, donate food to nonprofit organizations.
Status:  In House Committee on Health and Human Development on January 18
 
Introduced:  01/12/2017
Sponsor:  Representative William M. Straus
Issue Brief:  Sunday Hunting Restrictions
Summary:  Authorizes the use of bow and arrows for Sunday hunting.
Status:  Filed on January 12
 
Introduced:  01/12/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Scott Walter Strom
Issue Brief:  Sunday Hunting Restrictions
Summary:  Allows hunting on Sundays on private property with the permission of the landowner.
Status:  House refers to Joint Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife on January 17
 
Introduced:  01/12/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Robert W. Alley
Issue Brief:  Contraception Preemption; White-tailed Deer Management - Hunting as a preferred Management Tool
Summary:  Assists island and coastal communities with controlling excess deer populations.
Status:  House refers to Joint Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife on January 17
 
Introduced:  01/12/2017
Sponsor: Senator Paul T. Davis, Member, Maine Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Apprentice Hunting License
Summary:  Eliminates the requirement that a person obtain a permit to hunt wild turkeys. This bill increases the number of wild turkeys a person may take during the spring open season for hunting wild turkeys from 2 wild turkeys of either sex to 3 male wild turkeys. This bill increases the number of wild turkeys a person may take during the fall open seasons for hunting wild turkeys from 2 to 3 of either sex over both seasons. This bill allows a person to register wild turkeys electronically or by telephone.
Status:  House and Senate refers to Joint Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in concurrence on January 17
 
Introduced:  01/13/2017
Sponsor: Senator Steve Waugh, Member, Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Repeals specified provisions of law that relate to trapping or shooting specified foxes or shooting or molesting specified hounds in St. Mary's County.
Status:  In Senate Committee on Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs on January 24
 
Prefiled:  01/11/2017
Sponsor: Senator Michael Moore, Member, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Firearm Suppressors
Summary:  Relates to suppressors.
Status:  Filed on January 11
 
Introduced: 1/04/2017 
Sponsor:  Senator Jeb E. Bradley
Issue Brief:  Guns (General)
Summary:  Repeals the licensing requirement for carrying a concealed pistol or revolver.
Status:   From Senate Committee on Judiciary: Ought to pass on January 19
 
Introduced:  01/05/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Raymond Gagnon
Issue Brief:  Crossbows
Summary:  Adds the use of a crossbow to the archery license for bow and arrow.
Status:  Public Hearing set for 1/24 on January 17
 
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:  Public Hearing set for 1/24 on January 17
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Assembly Member Linda B. Rosenthal
Issue Brief:  Ammunition Restrictions (non-lead); Standard Capacity Magazines
Summary:  Amends the Penal Law; relates to the criminal possession of a firearm or magazine digitally made; classifies such possession as a class D felony.
Status:  To Assembly Committee on Codes on January 11
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon
Issue Brief:  Ammunition Restrictions (non-lead); Modern Sporting Rifle
Summary:  Amends the Penal Law; relates to the sale of ammunition for assault weapons; classes E felony.
Status:  To Assembly Committee on Codes on January 11
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon
Issue Brief:  Ammunition Restrictions (non-lead)
Summary:  Amends the Penal Law; relates to the restriction of the sale of ammunition to only individuals authorized to possess such weapon.
Status:  To Assembly Committee on Codes on January 11
 
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 Environmental Conservation on January 12
 
Introduced:  01/12/2017
Sponsor:  Assembly Member Steve Englebright
Issue Brief:  Ivory Ban
Summary:  Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; increases certain penalties and authorizes the payment of rewards for aid in the apprehension and conviction of persons guilty of certain felonies or misdemeanors relating to endangered and special species, species of special concern and illegal ivory articles and rhinoceros horns.
Status:  To Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation on January 12
 
Introduced:  01/12/2017
Sponsor:  Assembly Member Carrie Woerner
Issue Brief:  Licenses (General)
Summary:  Amends the Tax Law; allows a tax credit for certain individuals obtaining hunting, fishing and trapping licenses.
Status:  To Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation on January 12
 
Introduced:  01/09/2017
Sponsor: Senator Robert Ortt, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Firearm Suppressors
Summary:  Removes the prohibition on firearm silencers in the environmental conservation law and the penal law.
Status:  Amended in Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation on January 13
 
Introduced:  01/10/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Carl L. Marcellino
Issue Brief:  Conservation Tax Incentives
Summary:  Amends the Tax Law; makes technical corrections to the conservation easement tax credit.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Investigations and Government Operations on January 10
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Tony Avella
Issue Brief:  "Big 5" Trophy Importation Ban
Summary:  Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; enacts "Cecil's law" relating to banning the importation, transportation and possession of certain African wildlife species and products.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation on January 11
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor: Senator Patty Ritchie, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Conservation Tax Incentives; Hunter Education
Summary:  Amends the Tax Law; relates to creating a tax credit for instructors of a hunting safety course of up to $300.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Investigations and Government Operations on January 11
 
Introduced:  01/12/2017
Sponsor: Senator Patrick M. Gallivan, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Game Meat Donation Programs
Summary:  Amends the Tax Law; establishes the venison donation tax credit.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Investigations and Government Operations on January 12
 
Introduced:  01/12/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Marisol Alcantara
Issue Brief:  Ammunition Restrictions (non-lead)
Summary:  Amends the Penal Law; makes possession and sale of armor piercing ammunition a class B felony; includes exchanging and disposing of armor piercing ammunition.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Codes on January 12
 
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:  To Senate Committee on Game and Fisheries on January 12
 
Introduced:  01/04/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Warren Kitzmiller
Issue Brief:  Freshwater Angling Access
Summary:  Relates to approval of an amendment to the charter of the City of Montpelier regarding the regulation of its public water supply sources.
Status:  To House Committee on Government Operations on January 5
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Representative George Till
Issue Brief:  Firearm Suppressors
Summary:  Relates to the use of gun suppressors for hunting.
Status:  To House Committee on Natural Resources, Fish, and Wildlife on January 12
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Amy Sheldon
Issue Brief:  Freshwater Angling Access
Summary:  Relates to the use of internal combustion engines on public water sources.
Status:  To House Committee on Natural Resources, Fish, and Wildlife on January 12
 
Introduced:  01/12/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Rob LaClair
Issue Brief:  Crossbows
Summary:  Relates to carrying a handgun and a bow after the close of the legal hunting day.
Status:  To House Committee on Natural Resources, Fish, and Wildlife on January 13
 
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 House Committee on Natural Resources, Fish, and Wildlife on January 17
 
Introduced:  01/13/2017
Sponsor: Representative David L. Deen, Member, Vermont Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to the hunting of coyotes.
Status:  To House Committee on Natural Resources, Fish, and Wildlife on January 17
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Kevin J. Mullin
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 January 12


SOUTHEASTSOUTHEASTERN STATES


Introduced:  01/13/2017
Sponsor:  Representative John Thomas Lamar, Member, Mississippi Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Licenses (General); Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  Provides that nonresident National Guard and reserve members may obtain a resident hunting and fishing license and a fourteen-day Armed Forces license.
Status: To  House Committee on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks on January 13
 
Introduced:  01/13/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Omeria M. Scott
Issue Brief:  Ammunition Restrictions (non-lead)
Summary:  Requires record-keeping of sales of pistol or rifle cartridges; in conformity.
Status:  To House Committee on Judiciary B on January 13
 
Introduced:  01/13/2017
Sponsor:  Senator W. Briggs Hopson
Issue Brief:  Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
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:  To Senate Committee on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks on January 13
 
Introduced:  01/13/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Bob M. Dearing, Member, Mississippi Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Wolf in Sheeps Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups
Summary:  Creates a license requirement to operate as a pet dealer or to operate a kennel, stable or animal shelter; requires the commissioner of agriculture to investigate applicants and issue annual licenses where required; requires the commissioner to set permit fees; allows fees to differ between types of permit holders; provides for a 100% penalty for late application for a permit or renewal of a permit; provides that operating without a license is a misdemeanor; provides for enforcement.
Status:  To Senate committee on Agriculture. Additionally referred to Senate Committee on Judiciary, Division B on January 13
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Chip Huggins
Issue Brief:  Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  Provides that the Department of Natural Resources may issue a combination license or a fishing license to a constable, reserve police officer, volunteer firefighter, or member of the state guard at no cost; provides for renewal of the licenses; provides for the privileges afforded to a holder of these licenses.
Status:  To House Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs on January 11
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Delegate Charles D Poindexter
Issue Brief:  Exotic Invasive Species
Summary:  Relates to study; relates to study the current and potential impact of zebra and quagga mussels in Virginia Waters and propose strategies, campaigns, and necessary state actions to protect Virginia Waters from zebra and quagga mussel infestation; relates to report; requests the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to study the current and potential impact of zebra and quagga mussels in Virginia Waters and propose strategies, campaigns, and necessary state actions to protect Virginia Waters from zebra.
Status:  To House Committee on Rules on January 11
 
Introduced:  01/10/2017
Sponsor:  Delegate Mark Lee Keam
Issue Brief: Wolf in Sheeps 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:  To House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources on January 10
 
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:  To House Committee on Finance on January 11
 
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 House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources on January 11
 
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:  To House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources on January 11
 
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:  To House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources on January 11
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Delegate Brenda L Pogge
Issue Brief:  Wolf in Sheeps Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups; Tethering of Dogs
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:  To House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources on January 11
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Delegate William J Howell
Issue Brief:  Hunting with 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:  To House Committee on Rules on January 11
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor: Delegate James E. Edmunds, Member, Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Licenses (General)
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 House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources on January 11
 
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 House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources on January 11
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Delegate James E. Edmunds, Member, Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Licenses (General)
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 House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources on January 11
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor: Senator Emmett W. Hanger, Member, Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to National Hunting and Fishing Day; designates September 23, 2017, as National Hunting and Fishing Day in Virginia.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Rules on January 11
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Senator William Stanley
Issue Brief:  Wolf in Sheeps Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups
Summary:  Relates to public animal shelters; relates to dogs; relates to euthanasia; requires a public animal shelter to notify any person or releasing agency of its intent to euthanize an abandoned dog, and to wait five days before euthanizing the dog, if the person or agency has requested the adoption or transfer of the particular animal; provides that the shelter is not required to provide such notice if it has reason to believe that the dog has injured a human or the dog meets certain other specified conditions.
Status:  To House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources on January 11

Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Scott A. Surovell
Issue Brief:  Exotic Invasive Species
Summary:  Relates to introduction of snakehead fish; relates to penalty; prohibits the introduction of snakehead fish from any location into state Waters; provides that current law only prohibits the introduction of snakehead fish from outside the Commonwealth.
Status:  Passed Senate. To House on January 18
 
Introduced:  01/03/2017
Sponsor:  Senator A. Benton Chafin
Issue Brief:  Licenses (General)
Summary:  Relates to hunting license; relates to bear, deer, or turkey; relates to electronic carry; removes the requirement that a license to hunt bear, deer, or turkey be carried in paper form, allowing it to be carried by electronic or computerized means.
Status:  Passed Senate. To House on January 18
 
Introduced:  01/09/2017
Sponsor:  Senator William R. DeSteph
Issue Brief:  Freshwater Angling Access
Summary:  Relates to oyster or clam grounds; relates to Lynnhaven River; relates to navigable channels; provides that oyster or clam ground lease assignments in the Lynnhaven River and its tributaries are subject to the rights of riparian landowners to open and mark channels necessary for navigable access to their property.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resource on January 9
 
Introduced:  01/10/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Lynwood W Lewis
Issue Brief:  Wolf in Sheeps 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:  To Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resource on January 10
 
Introduced:  01/10/2017
Sponsor:  Senator William Stanley
Issue Brief:  Wolf in Sheeps Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups
Summary:  Relates to killing of dog or cat prohibited; relates to penalty; prohibits the humane killing of a dog or cat that is a companion animal unless the animal poses an immediate physical threat to a person or is in extreme distress and would suffer further as a result of a delay in seeking veterinary care; makes a violation a Class 2 misdemeanor, with any subsequent violation a Class 6 felony; exempts from the prohibition any veterinarian or other authorized person who euthanizes a companion animal under.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resource on January 10
 
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 Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resource on January 10


MIDWESTMIDWESTERN STATES


Introduced:  01/12/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Bart Hester
Issue Brief:  Outdoor Sporting Goods Tax Holiday
Summary:  Creates a second amendment appreciation weekend.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Revenue and Taxation on January 17

Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Sonya M. Harper
Issue Brief:  Ammunition Restrictions (non-lead); Bullet Serialization
Summary:  Amends the Criminal Code of 2012; provides that beginning January 1, 2019, all handgun ammunition that is manufactured, imported into the State for sale or personal use, kept for sale, offered or exposed for sale, sold, given, lent, or possessed shall be serialized; provides that beginning January 1, 2019, any person who manufactures, causes to be manufactured, imports into the State for sale or personal use, keeps for sale, offers or exposes for sale, or who gives or lends any handgun ammunition that.
Status:  To House Committee on Rules on January 11

Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Thomas M. Bennett
Issue Brief:  Guns (General)
Summary:  Amends the Criminal Code of 2012; provides that a person who has been issued a currently valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card may transport in a vehicle an accessible rifle, shotgun, or other long gun without the weapon being broken down in a non-functioning state or without the weapon being enclosed in a case, firearm carrying box, shipping box, or other container if the firearm is unloaded.
Status:  To House Committee on Rules on January 11

Introduced:  01/12/2017
Sponsor: Representative David B. Reis, Member, Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Guns (General);Handgun Carry While Archery Hunting
Summary:  Amends the Wildlife Code; provides that a person with a valid concealed carry license issued under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act, or an off-duty law enforcement official or officer, may carry a handgun on or about his or her person while hunting.
Status:  To House Committee on Rules on January 12

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 Rules on January 17

Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Senator William R. Haine, Member, Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Firearm Suppressors
Summary:  Amends the Police Training Act; provides the annual training of police chiefs must include at least one course on the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act, the Firearm Concealed Carry Act, and firearms investigations; amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act; permits the State Police to notify the FBI if a person on the Terrorist Watchlist applies for a FOID card; requires the State Police to provide notice and reason for the disqualification of a firearm purchase or a FOID card revocation to.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Criminal Law on January 18

Introduced:  01/12/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Bruce A. Borders
Issue Brief:  Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  Relates to disabled veterans benefits; provides for an annual pass for nonresident disabled veterans to enter state parks at the same rate as residents of Indiana; provides for a reduction of any fees charged for facilities, lodging, and recreational activities held or managed by the department of natural resources; allows a nonresident disabled veteran to obtain a hunting and fishing license at an in-state resident rate; allows the department to establish a hunting season for disabled veterans.
Status:  To House Committee on Veterans Affairs and Public Safety on January 12

Introduced:  01/12/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Greg Taylor
Issue Brief:  Guns (General)
Summary:  Relates to open carry of rifles; defines prohibited weapon as a centerfire rifle with an internal magazine or the ability to accept a detachable magazine and certain characteristics.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Judiciary on January 12
 
Introduced:  01/13/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Dan Schoen
Issue Brief:  Technology and the Fair Chase Ethic
Summary:  Relates to game and fish; prohibits use of unmanned aircraft systems to take, harm, or harass wild animals.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance on January 17
 
Introduced: 01/04/2017
Sponsor: Representative Donna Lichtenegger, Member,  Missouri Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  White-tailed Deer Management - Hunting as a preferred Management Tool
Summary:  Imposes civil penalties for poaching certain animals.
Status:  To House Committee on Conservation and Natural Resources on January 12
 
Introduced: 01/04/2017
Sponsor: Representative Jered Taylor, Member, Missouri Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Imposes civil penalties for poaching certain animals.
Status:  To House Committee on Conservation and Natural Resources on January 12
 
Prefiled: 01/04/2017
Sponsor: Representative Sonya Anderson, Member, Missouri Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Imposes civil penalties for poaching certain animals.
Status:  To House Committee on Judiciary on January 12
 
Introduced:  01/04/2017
Sponsor: Representative Wanda Brown, Member, Missouri Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Knife Ban Repeal
Summary:  Changes the definition of "knife" for purposes of Chapter 571, weapons offenses.
Status:  To House Committee on Judiciary on January 12
 
Introduced:  01/03/2017
Sponsor:  Office of Legislative Management
Issue Brief:  Licenses (General)
Summary:  Allows the Director of the Game and Fish Department to receive and consider applications for a limited number of special allocation hunting licenses in addition to a number of statutorily authorized special allocation licenses.
Status:  Passed House on January 18
 
Introduced:  01/16/2017
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:  To House Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on January 16
 
Introduced:  01/16/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Dennis Johnson
Issue Brief:  Licenses (General)
Summary:  Relates to licenses to hunt elk.
Status:  To House Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on January 16
 
Introduced:  01/16/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Sebastian Ertelt
Issue Brief:  Licenses (General)
Summary:  Relates to a system for hunting license lotteries which gives preference to applicants seventy years of age or older.
Status:  To House Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on January 16
 
Introduced:  01/03/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Ronald Sorvaag
Issue Brief:  Crossbows
Summary:  Relates to the use of crossbows during bow hunting seasons by individuals who are at least sixty-five years of age.
Status: Failed to pass Senate on January 16
 
Introduced:  01/13/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Donald Schaible
Issue Brief:  Public Access to Private Lands
Summary:  Relates to criminal trespass and hunting on private land; relates to the posting of lands.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on January 13
 
Introduced:  01/13/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Jerry Klein
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  Relates to hunter education requirements for veterans; relates to hunter education requirements for veterans.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on January 13
 
Introduced:  01/13/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Jerry Klein
Issue Brief:  Licenses (General)
Summary:  Relates to nonresident waterfowl hunting licenses.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on January 13
 
Introduced:  01/16/2017
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:  To Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on January 16
 
Introduced:  01/16/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Jerry Klein
Issue Brief:  Licenses (General)
Summary:  Relates to nonresident waterfowl hunting licenses.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on January 16


WESTWESTERN STATES  


Introduced:  01/17/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Andy Josephson
Issue Brief:  Modern Restraining 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:  Introduced on January 17

Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Richard Andrade
Issue Brief:  Ivory Ban
Summary:  Relates to ivory; relates to rhinoceros horn; relates to sales; relates to prohibition.
Status:  Referred to House Committee on Commerce, additionally referred to Committee on Military, Veterans and Regulatory Affairs, and Committee on Rules on January 12
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Randall Friese
Issue Brief: Guns (General)
Summary:  Relates to firearm sales; relates to transfers; relates to background checks.
Status: Introduced on January 11
 
Introduced:  12/12/2016
Sponsor:  Senator Mike McGuire
Issue Brief:  American System of Conservation Funding
Summary:  Requires, rather than authorizes, the Department of Fish and Wildlife to pay assessments on real property acquired as wildlife management areas to the county in which the property is located.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water on January 12
 
Introduced:  12/13/2016
Sponsor:  Senator Mike McGuire
Issue Brief:  Licenses (General)
Summary:  Relates to fees for steelhead trout fishing report-restoration cards and the deposit of revenues into the Fish and Game Preservation Fund to be available for expenditure to monitor, restore, or enhance steelhead trout resources. Extends the operation of such provisions.
Status:  Introduced on January 13
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Kimmi Lewis
Issue Brief:  Conservation Tax Incentives
Summary:  Concerns a perpetual conservation easement in gross granted for property in Colorado for which a tax credit claim has been rejected.
Status:  To House Committee on State, Veterans, and Military Affairs on January 11
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Vicki Marble
Issue Brief:  Knife Ban Repeal
Summary:  Concerns legalizing certain knives.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Judiciary on January 11

Montana S 25
Introduced: 01/02/2017
Sponsor: Senator Mark Blasdel
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Revises state gaming laws by allowing non-profit organizations to sell raffle tickets online.
Status: In Senate. Passed in third reading. To House on January 17
 
Introduced:  01/12/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Jedediah Hinkle
Issue Brief:  Licenses (General)
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:  To Senate Committee on Fish and Game on January 13
 
Prefiled:  01/12/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Mimi Stewart
Issue Brief:  Wolf in Sheeps Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups
Summary:  Relates to wildlife; enacts the wildlife trafficking act; provides powers and duties; prohibits certain actions; makes trafficking of animal species threatened with extinction a crime; provides exceptions; prescribes penalties.
Status:  Prefiled on January 12
 
Prefiled:   01/09/2017
Sponsor: Representative Brian Clem, Member, Oregon Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Prohibits state agency from restricting or closing access to state lands used for hunting until state agency has notified State Department of Fish and Wildlife and department has posted notice of restriction or closure for at least 30 days on department's website; provides exceptions.
Status:  Prefiled on January 9
 
Prefiled:  01/09/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Cliff Bentz
Issue Brief:  Licenses (General); Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  Requires State Fish and Wildlife Commission to, as part of preference system for controlled hunt permits, guarantee issuance of one deer or elk controlled hunt permit to any applicant who is 75 years of age or Older and holding resident annual pioneer combination license.
Status:  Prefiled on January 9
 
Prefiled:  01/09/2017
Sponsor: Representative Greg Smith, Member, Oregon Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Licenses (General)
Summary:  Requires State Fish and Wildlife Commission to establish and prescribe fees for multiyear resident and nonresident hunting licenses; sets agent fee for issuance of each multiyear license at $5.
Status:  Prefiled on January 9
 
Prefiled:  01/09/2017
Sponsor: Representative Knute Buehler 
Issue Brief:  Game Meat Donation Programs
Summary:  Modifies requirements relating to donating game meat to charitable organizations.
Status:  Prefiled on January 9

Oregon S 6
Prefiled:  01/09/2017
Sponsor: Senator Peter Courtney  
Issue Brief: Modern Restraining Animal Traps 
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: To Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources on January 17
 
Introduced:  01/12/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Dick Muri
Issue Brief:  Hunting, Angling & Nature Appreciation in Schools; Hunter Education
Summary:  Requires the superintendent of public instruction to develop an elective firearms safety and hunter education course for high school students.
Status:  To House Committee on Education on January 12
 
Introduced:  01/12/2017
Sponsor: Representative Brian Blake, Co-Chair, Washington Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  Enhances recreational opportunities for veterans with disabilities.
Status:  To House Committee on Community Development, Housing and Tribal Affairs on January 12
 
Introduced:  01/13/2017
Sponsor:  Representative David Taylor
Issue Brief:  Public Access to Private Lands
Summary:  Prohibits the department of fish and wildlife from requiring public access as a condition of receiving compensation.
Status:  To House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on January 13
 
Introduced:  01/12/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Guy Palumbo
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Prevents breed-based dog regulations.
Status:  Hearing held in Senate Local Government Committee on January 17
 
Introduced:  01/10/2017
Sponsor:  House Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee
Issue Brief:  Conservation Sales Tax; Exotic Invasive Species; Dedicated Sales Tax on Outdoor Gear
Summary:  Relates to gasoline taxes; amends the amount attributable to nonresident motorboats for computations for distribution to the department of state parks and cultural resources as specified; provides for an effective date.
Status: Rereferred to House Committee on Appropriations on January 16
 
Introduced:  01/12/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Tyler Lindholm
Issue Brief:  Modern Restraining Animal Traps; Hunting with Dogs
Summary:  Relates to game and fish; specifies determinations of allowable harvests for mountain lions and bobcats; reserves a certain percentage of mountain lion licenses for residents as specified; allows regulation of use of dogs for residents and nonresidents.
Status: To House Committee on Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Culture Resources on January 16
 
Introduced:  01/10/2017
Sponsor:  Senate Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee
Issue Brief:  Licenses (General)
Summary:  Relates to game and fish; provides for the designation of personally identifiable information required for applicants to purchase game and fish licenses, permits or tags as confidential information; exempts inspection of personally identifiable information of the applicants for purposes of public records provisions as specified; provides for an effective date.
Status:  Passed Senate. To House on January 16
 
Introduced:  01/13/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Larry S. Hicks
Issue Brief:  Licenses (General)
Summary:  Relates to game and fish; limits allocation of certain complimentary licenses as specified; provides for an effective date.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Culture Resources on January 16 

        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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