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 23, 2017

NORTHEASTNORTHEASTERN STATES


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.
Status:  Vote to Draft on January 23
 
Introduced:  01/19/2017
Sponsor:  Representative David A. Baram
Issue Brief:  Lead Ammunition and Fishing Tackle Bans
Summary:  Prohibits the manufacture, sale and use of fishing tackle that contains lead; protects loons and other diving birds from ingesting toxic lead through fish sources and other marine debris in order to preserve the health of such birds.
Status:  To Joint Committee on Environment on January 19
 
Introduced:  01/20/2017
Sponsor: Representative Robert C. Sampson, Member, Connecticut Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Guns (General)
Summary:  Repeals gun control legislation enacted in 2013.
Status:  To Joint Committee on Judiciary on January 20
 
Introduced:  01/20/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Kevin Skulczyck
Issue Brief:  Ammunition Restrictions (non-lead); Guns (General)
Summary:  Repeals certain gun control legislation; repeals gun control legislation.
Status:  To Joint Committee on Public safety and security on January 20
 
Introduced:  01/20/2017
Sponsor: Representative Doug Dubitsky, Member, Connecticut Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Modern Sporting Rifle
Summary:  Excludes rimfire target pistols from the definition of assault weapon; excludes from the definition of assault weapon any rimfire target pistols that are designed for use in target shooting events at the Olympic games.
Status:  To Joint Committee on Public Safety and Security on January 20
 
Introduced:  01/23/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Anne Dauphinais
Issue Brief:  Licenses (General)
Summary:  Authorizes the unlimited taking of game pursuant to a hunting license; removes limits on the number of game that may be taken pursuant to a hunting license.
Status:  To Joint Committee on Environment on January 23
 
Introduced:  01/23/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Diana S. Urban
Issue Brief:  Ivory Ban
Summary:  Prohibits the sale of ivory and rhinoceros horn; minimizes the illegal trade of ivory and rhinoceros horn, which may fund terrorist activities.
Status:  To Joint Committee on Environment on January 23
 
Introduced:  01/23/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Rick Lopes
Issue Brief: Firearm Suppressors
Summary:  Authorizes the use of suppressors on hunting rifles; reduces hearing loss and hearing damage from firearm discharges.
Status:  To Joint Committee on Environment on January 23
 
Introduced:  01/23/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Mitch Bolinsky
Issue Brief:  Ivory Ban
Summary:  Concerns the sale and trade of ivory and rhinoceros horn in the state; prohibits the sale and trade of ivory and rhinoceros horn in the state while preserving the antiques trade in Connecticut.
Status:  To Joint Committee on Environment on January 23
 
Introduced:  01/24/2017
Sponsor: Representative Doug Dubitsky, Member, Connecticut Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Guns (General)
Summary:  Concerns permit and certificate to carry a firearm reciprocity; secures permit or certificate reciprocity between Connecticut and other States that have substantially similar standards for carrying a concealed firearm.
Status:  To Joint Committee on Judiciary on January 24
 
Introduced:  01/19/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Bob Duff
Issue Brief:  Wolf in Sheeps Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups
Summary:  Concerns Cecil's law; deters the taking of big-game animals as hunting trophies.
Status:  To Joint Committee on Environment on January 19
 
Introduced: 01/20/2017 
Sponsor:  Senator Carlo Leone
Issue Brief:  Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  Provides for discounted hunting, trapping and fishing licenses for certain veterans; promotes activities that may assist rehabilitation and recuperation for veterans with service-connected disabilities.
Status:  To Joint Committee on Veterans' Affairs on January 20
 
Introduced:  01/20/2017 
Sponsor: Senator Craig A. Miner, Co-Chair, Connecticut Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Requires the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to establish a dove hunting season; allows dove hunting.
Status:  To Joint Committee on Environment on January 20
 
Introduced:  01/20/2017 
Sponsor: Senator Craig A. Miner, Co-Chair, Connecticut Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Authorizes bear hunting.
Status:  To Joint Committee on Environment on January 20
 
Introduced:  01/20/2017 
Sponsor: Senator Craig A. Miner, Co-Chair, Connecticut Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Licenses (General)
Summary:  Requires the adoption of regulations to establish a lifetime hunting and fishing license; establishes a lifetime hunting and fishing license.
Status:  To Joint Committee on Environment on January 20
 
Introduced:  01/23/2017
Sponsor:  Senator L. Scott Frantz
Issue Brief:  Modern Sporting Rifle
Summary:  Concerns lower-powered rimfire target pistols; allows the purchase and possession of any .22 caliber rimfire target pistol.
Status:  To Joint Committee on Public Safety and Security on January 23
 
Introduced:  01/23/2017
Sponsor: Senator Joe Markley, Member, Connecticut Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Modern Sporting Rifle
Summary:  Concerns rimfire target pistols; excludes from the definition of assault weapon any .22 caliber rimfire target pistol that is designed for use in target shooting.
Status:  To Joint Committee on Public Safety and Security on January 23
 
Introduced:  01/10/2017
Sponsor: Representative Peter A. Lyford, Member, Maine Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Summary This bill repeals the prohibition against baiting deer.
Status:  Senate refers to Joint Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in Concurrence on January 11
 
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:  Senate refers to Joint Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in concurrence on January 19
 
Introduced:  01/12/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Robert W. Alley
Issue Brief:  White-tailed Deer Management - Hunting as a preferred Management Tool
Summary:  Assists island and coastal communities with controlling excess deer populations.
Status:  Senate refers to Joint Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in concurrence on January 19
 
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:  Filed ad LR 336 on January 20
 
Introduced:  01/20/2017
Sponsor: Senator Paul T. Davis, Member, Maine Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Licenses (General)
Summary:  Restricts eligibility to apply for a moose hunting permit to residents, nonresidents and aliens 8 years of age and older.
Status:  Filed as LR 434 on January 20
 
Introduced : 1/20/2017
Sponsor : Senator Douglas J.J. Peters
Issue Brief : Conservation Tax Incentives
Summary : Provides a subtraction modification under the Maryland income tax for the first $250,000 in proceeds from the sale of a perpetual conservation easement on real property in the State.
Status : To Senate Committee on Budget and Taxation on January 20
 
Introduced : 1/20/2017
Sponsor : Senator Ronald Young
Issue Brief: Fishing Tournaments
Summary : Prohibits a person from organizing, sponsoring, promoting, conducting, or participating in a cownose ray fishing tournament in State Waters; requires the Secretary of Natural Resources to adopt specified regulations.
Status : In Senate Committee on Education, Health & Environmental Affairs on January 31
 
Prefiled:  01/19/2017
Sponsor: Representative David T. Vieira, Co-Chair, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to hunting with artificial light.
Status:  Filed on January 19

Prefiled:  01/19/2017
Sponsor: Representative Josh Cutler, Member, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Firearm Suppressors
Summary:  Relates to firearm suppressor safety.
Status:  Filed on January 19
 
Introduced: 1/04/2017
Sponsor: Representative Mark Proulx, Member, New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Allows a person to carry a loaded rifle, shotgun, or crossbow in a motor vehicle, OHRV, snowmobile, aircraft, or boat.
Status:  Executive Session: 01/31 on January 25 
 
Introduced:  01/04/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Peter W. Bixby
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Prohibits hunting on Willand Pond in the cities of Dover and Somersworth; 17-0048 10/08.
Status:  Executive Session: 01/31 on January 25 
 
Introduced: 1/04/2017
Sponsor:  Representative John A. Mullen
Issue Brief:  Terminally Ill Youth Hunting Opportunities
Summary:  Allows permits issued to Hunt Of A Lifetime to provide hunting adventures to New Hampshire residents 21 years of age or under with life-threatening, critical, or terminal illnesses to be used by nonresident applicants.
Status:  Executive Session: 01/31 on January 25 

Introduced: 1/04/2017
Sponsor: Representative Gene G. Chandler, Co-Chair, New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  American System of Conservation Funding
Summary:  Provides for a portion of funds in the wildlife habitat account to be used for fish and game department boundary work, and prohibits wildlife habitat account and fisheries habitat account funds from being expended for equipment; the bill also corrects references to legislative committees.
Status:  Executive Session: 01/31 on January 25 
 
Introduced: 1/04/2017
Sponsor:  Representative David Bates
Issue Brief:  College Student Hunting/Angling Licenses
Summary:  Repeals the law allowing nonresident full-time students to purchase a fish and game hunting or fishing license at the resident cost
Status:  Executive Session: 01/31 on January 25 
 
Introduced:  01/05/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Katherine D. Rogers
Issue Brief:  Wolf in Sheeps Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups
Summary:  Applies certain provisions for the crime of animal cruelty to wild animals not in captivity.
Status:  Executive Session: 01/31 on January 25
 
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:  Executive Session: 01/24 on January 25
 
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:  Executive Session: 01/31 on January 25
 
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:  Public Hearing: 02/1 on January 25

Introduced: 01/19/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member Vincent Mazzeo
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Urges National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to conduct new summer flounder assessment before implementing catch limits for 2017.
Status: Resolution Passed Assembly (67-0-0) on January 23
 
Introduced : 1/27/2016
Sponsor : Representative Bob Andrzejczak
Issue Brief : Licenses (General)
Summary : Establishes multi-species depredation permit.
Status : Passed Assembly. To Senate on January 23
 
Introduced : 2/16/2016
Sponsor : Senator Jeff Van Drew, Member, New Jersey Angling and Hunting Conservation Caucus
Issue Brief : Tethering of Dogs
Summary : Establishes requirements concerning necessary care of dogs, domestic companion animals and service animals, and for tethering of dogs; provides that it is unlawful to expose any dog, domestic companion animal or service animal to adverse environmental conditions for more than specified minutes, unless the animal has continuous access to proper shelter; provides for evacuation with such animals due to emergencies.
Status : In Senate Committee on Budget and Appropriations on January 30

Introduced:  01/05/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member Aileen M. Gunther, Co-Chair, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Imposes a moratorium on the prohibition of feeding white-tailed deer in Sullivan county.
Status:  To Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation on January 5
 
Introduced:  01/05/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member Aileen M. Gunther, Co-Chair, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; exempts traps set in water from the requirement that they be visited once every 24 hours; such traps shall be visited once every 48 hours or a shorter interval as determined by the department of environmental conservation.
Status:  To Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation on January 5
 
Introduced:  01/19/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member Aileen M. Gunther, Co-Chair, 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:  To Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation on January 9
 
Introduced:  01/19/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member Aileen M. Gunther, Co-Chair, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Off Highway Vehicles
Summary:  Amends the Vehicle and Traffic Law; establishes a non-trail snowmobile registration for snowmobiles which shall be used solely for the purpose of gaining access to hunting and fishing areas; requires a registration fee and a specified sum of which shall be deposited in a snowmobile trail development and maintenance fund.
Status:  To Assembly Committee on Transportation on January 9
 
Introduced:  01/17/2017
Sponsor:  Assembly Member Thomas J. Abinanti
Issue Brief: Guns (General)
Summary:  Enacts the children's weapon accident prevention act; creates crimes of failure to store a weapon safely in the first and second degrees, aggravated failure to store a weapon safely, and criminally negligent storage of a weapon in the first and second degrees; provides affirmative defenses; directs the commissioner of education to develop a weapons safety program.
Status:  To Assembly Committee on Codes on January 17
 
Introduced:  01/18/2017
Sponsor:  Assembly Member Fred W. Thiele
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; prohibits the taking of striped bass during the period of January 1 to April 15; changes from December 15.
Status:  To Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation on January 18
 
Introduced:  01/20/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member Clifford W. Crouch, Co-Chair, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General; Off Highway Vehicles
Summary:  Amends the Vehicle & Traffic Law; provides that certified handicapped individuals may use an ATVs on public land for transportation purposes only, during the hunting season.
Status:  To Assembly Committee on Transportation on January 20
 
Introduced:  01/23/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member Marc W. Butler, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Modern Sporting Rifle
Summary:  Amends the Penal Law; relates to the definition of assault weapons; removes certain characteristics from the definition of assault weapons.
Status:  To Assembly Committee on Codes on January 23
 
Introduced:  01/23/2017
Sponsor:  Assembly Member Steve Englebright
Issue Brief:  Guns (General)
Summary:  Prohibits the possession of concealed firearms in any national park or national wildlife refuge system; imposes a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 for a violation thereof.
Status:  To Assembly Committee on Tourism, Arts and Sports Development on January 23
 
Introduced:  01/23/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member Brian M. Kolb, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Guns (General)
Summary:  Amends the Penal Law; creates a process for the issuance of a temporary permit to carry or possess a firearm for persons who are not residents of the state of New York; provides an affirmative defense to possession of a loaded firearm by certain persons and provides reciprocity for persons licensed in other states.
Status:  To Assembly on Codes on January 23
 
Introduced:  01/23/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member Marc W. Butler, 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 that a resident of the state for a period of three months prior to the date of application and who is otherwise qualified for certain hunting, fishing and big game licenses and who has a disability as defined in the executive law shall be entitled to receive such license at 50% of the cost set by statute.
Status:  To Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation on January 23
 
Introduced:  01/04/2017
Sponsor: Senator Phil Boyle, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; prohibits the hunting or taking of wildlife with the aid of an unmanned aerial vehicle.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation on January 4
 
Introduced:  01/04/2017
Sponsor: Senator Robert Ortt, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  White-tailed Deer Management - Hunting as a preferred Management Tool; Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; provides that for the issuance of deer management permits for certain disabled veterans, such veterans shall only have to provide proof of service-related disability once and every year thereafter, provide proof of an expired permit.
Status:  From Senate Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs on January 23
 
Introduced:  01/04/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Elizabeth Little
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Enacts the "Adirondack sportsmen's club preservation act"; provides that state acquisition of open space land shall only be undertaken with a willing seller and shall remain subject to the leases of sportsmen's clubs thereon.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Finance on January 4
 
Introduced:  01/13/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Pamela Helming
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; provides that the open season for hunting coyotes shall be all year long, provided that the county legislature has a resolution authorizing such hunting within the county.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation on January 13
 
Introduced:  01/17/2017
Sponsor: Senator Tom O'Mara, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Hunting, Angling & Nature Appreciation in Schools; Hunter Education
Summary:  Relates to hunting, fishing and outdoor education in high school physical education courses.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation on January 17
 
Introduced:  01/18/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Catharine Young
Issue Brief:  Hunting with Dogs
Summary:  Provides that dogs engaged in hunting and training as authorized by the environmental conservation law, shall not be deemed to be running at large in violation of any local law or ordinance.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Agriculture on January 18
 
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:  To Senate Committee on Environmental; Conservation on January 18
 
Introduced:  01/19/2017
Sponsor: Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  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:  To Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation on January 19

Introduced:  01/19/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Jose M. Serrano
Issue Brief:  Guns (General)
Summary:  Prohibits the possession of concealed firearms in any national park or national wildlife refuge system; imposes a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 for a violation thereof.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Culture Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation on January 19
 
Introduced:  01/19/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Jose M. Serrano
Issue Brief:  Modern Restraining Animal Traps
Summary:  Provides that each county within the state may limit, restrict or prohibit trapping within its municipal limits; provides that municipalities may do so by local law or ordinance.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Environmental; Conservation on January 19
 
Introduced:  01/20/2017
Sponsor: Senator Joseph A. Griffo, Co-Chair, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Apprentice Hunting License
Summary:  Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; relates to lowering the age for universal hunting licenses from 14 years old to 12 years old.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Environmental; Conservation on January 20
 
Introduced:  01/20/2017
Sponsor: Senator Joseph A. Griffo, Co-Chair, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Licenses (General)
Summary:  Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; relates to the transfer of lifetime hunting licenses.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation on January 20
 
Introduced:  01/20/2017
Sponsor: Senator Patrick M. Gallivan, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Standard Capacity Magazines
Summary:  Amends the Penal Law; exempts certain large capacity ammunition feeding devices from certain requirements of the penal law.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Codes on January 20
 
Introduced:  01/23/2017
Sponsor: Senator Patrick M. Gallivan, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Guns (General); Standard Capacity Magazines
Summary:  Authorizes the transfer of certain weapons from an estate to an immediate member of the decedent's family; expands definition of immediate family to include siblings, grandparents and grandchildren as such term relates to the sale or disposal of certain firearms; relates to the filing of approved applications for licenses for the possession of firearms; exempts certain large capacity ammunition feeding devices from certain requirements of the penal law; repeals provision of law prohibiting the possession.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Codes on January 23
 
Introduced:  01/23/2017
Sponsor: Senator Patrick M. Gallivan, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Amends the generally; regulates taking of moose in the same manner as deer hunting and trapping are currently regulated.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Transportation on January 23
 
Introduced:  01/24/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Michael Gianaris
Issue Brief:  Guns (General)
Summary:  Amends the Penal Law; requires persons possessing any firearm to hold a firearms safety certificate; establishes application and training process therefor.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Code on January 24

Introduced : 1/23/2017
Sponsor : Representative Ryan Bizzarro, Member, Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : Tethering of Dogs; Hunting with Dogs
Summary : Amends Title 18, crimes and offenses, of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in riot, disorderly conduct and related offenses; provides for the offense of cruelty to animals.
Status : To House Committee on Judiciary on January 23
 
Introduced : 1/23/2017
Sponsor : Representative Rick Saccone
Issue Brief : Guns (General)
Summary : Amends the act of October 27, 1955 (P.L.744, No.222), known as the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act; provides for title of act, for findings and declaration of policy, for right to freedom from discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodation, for definitions, for unlawful discriminatory practices and for prohibition of certain real estate practices.
Status : To House Committee on State Government on January 23
 
Introduced : 1/23/2017
Sponsor : Representative Robert Godshall,Member, Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Sunday Hunting
Summary : Amends Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in hunting and fur taking; provides for prohibition on Sunday hunting and providing for regulation of Sunday hunting by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
Status : To House Committee on Game and Fisheries on January 23
 
Introduced : 1/24/2017
Sponsor : Representative Ed Gainey
Issue Brief : Standard Capacity Magazines; Modern Sporting Rifles
Summary : Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles; prohibits certain assault weapons.
Status : To House Committee on Judiciary on January 24
 
Introduced : 1/20/2017
Sponsor : Senator Mario Scavello, Member, Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : Sunday Hunting
Summary : Amends the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Game provision, in hunting and fur-taking; provides for hunting on Sunday prohibited.
Status : To Senate Committee on Game and Fisheries on January 20
 
Introduced : 1/20/2017
Sponsor : Senator Mario Scavello, Member, Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Hunting with Dogs
Summary : Amends Game of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in hunting and fur-taking; provides for dogs pursuing, injuring or killing big game.
Status : To Senate Committee on Game and Fisheries on January 20

Introduced:  01/19/2017
Sponsor:  Representative J. Aaron Regunberg
Issue Brief:  Standard Capacity Magazines
Summary:  Would criminalize the manufacture, import, possession, purchase, sale or transfer of any ammunition feeding device capable of accepting more than ten (10) rounds. This act would take effect upon passage.
Status:  To House Committee on Judiciary on January 19
 
Introduced:  01/13/2017
Sponsor: Representative David L. Deen, Member, Vermont Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to the designation of heritage trout Waters.
Status:  To House Committee on Natural Resources, Fish, and Wildlife on January 17


SOUTHEASTSOUTHEASTERN STATES


Prefiled:  01/24/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Amy Mercado
Issue Brief:  Wolf in Sheeps Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups; 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:  Prefiled on January 24
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Representative David Knight, Chair, Georgia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Recognizes January 12, 2017, as Sportsmen's and Coastal Day at the capitol.
Status:  Read third time. Passed House on January 11
 
Introduced:  01/09/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Mary Margaret Oliver
Issue Brief:  Ammunition Restrictions (non-lead); Standard Capacity Magazines; Guns (General); Modern Sporting Rifle
Summary:  Relates to dangerous instrumentalities and practices, so as to prohibit the possession, sale, transport, distribution, or use of certain assault weapons, large capacity magazines, armor-piercing bullets, and incendiary .50 caliber bullets; provides for crimes involving the possession, sale, transport, distribution, or use of certain assault weapons, large capacity magazines, armor-piercing bullets, and incendiary .50 caliber bullets; provides for criminal penalties.
Status:  In House: Read second time on January 25
 
Introduced:  01/09/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Robert Trammell
Issue Brief:  Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  Relates to hunting licenses, permits, and stamps generally, so as to replace the one-year honorary veterans license with a free lifetime license; amends Code Section 27-1-2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated; relates to definitions relative to game and fish, so as to correct a cross-reference; provides for related matters; repeals conflicting laws.
Status:  In House: Read second time on January 25
 
Introduced:  01/10/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Bill Heath, Vice President, National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Recognizes January 12, 2017, as Sportsmen's and Coastal Day at the capitol.
Status:  Passed Senate on January 11
 
Introduced:  01/03/2017
Sponsor: Senator Tom Buford, Member, Kentucky Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  White-tailed Deer Management - Hunting as a preferred Management Tool
Summary:  Requires the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources to undertake measures if deer and elk pose a significant risk to human safety from automobile accidents; identifies permissive measures for the department to implement including special hunts and issuance of more tags.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy on January 7

Introduced:  01/03/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Randy Boyd, Member, Mississippi Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Requires the Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks to provide public notice to counties of proposed regulatory changes affecting hunting, fishing and wildlife gaming in certain counties in a newspaper of general circulation in the affected county or state; specifies the frequency and format of the publication of such notice; authorizes the county board of supervisors to request a public meeting with the commission or its designated representatives.
Status:  To House Committee on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks on January 3

Introduced:  01/03/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Brad Touchstone, Member, Mississippi Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Hunting, Angling & Nature Appreciation in Schools; Hunter Education
Summary:  Includes hunter safety education as part of the public school curriculum; limits the course attendance to students in the sixth through twelfth grades; requires the course to be taught by a person certified by the state Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks; provides that the determination of whether to offer hunter safety education in a school shall be in the discretion of the school district superintendents.
Status:  To House Committee on Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks on January 25

Introduced:  01/17/2017
Sponsor: Representative Bryant Clark, Co-Chair, Mississippi Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Off Highway Vehicles
Summary:  Requires all-terrain vehicles to obtain a certificate of number; authorizes the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks to issue the certificates; provides that the certificate of number shall be placed on the all-terrain vehicles; provides a penalty for violations.
Status:  To House Committee on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks on January 17
 
Introduced:  01/17/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Ken Morgan, Member, Mississippi Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  White-tailed Deer Management - Hunting as a preferred ManagementTool
Summary:  Requires the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks to develop a program for tagging white-tailed deer and wild turkey.
Status:  To House Committee on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks on January 17
 
Introduced:  01/17/2017
Sponsor: Representative Bryant Clark, Co-Chair, Mississippi Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Off Highway Vehicles
Summary:  Allows all-terrain vehicles to obtain a certificate of number; requires all all-terrain vehicles used on public lands to obtain a certificate of number; authorizes the state Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks to issue the certificates; provides that the certificate of number shall be placed on the all-terrain vehicles; provides a penalty for violations.
Status:  To House Committee on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks on January 17
 
Introduced:  01/18/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Joey Hood, Member, Mississippi Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  Allows persons exempt from having a hunting license by reason of disability to use an airbow during any open season on deer, turkey or small game.
Status:  To House Committee on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks on January 18
 
Introduced:  01/05/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Kevin Blackwell, Member, Mississippi Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to deer hunting with dogs; authorizes the commission to regulate and require permits and licenses.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks on January 5
 
Introduced:  01/05/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Gray Tollison
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Provides that for hunters 75 years of age or older all of the bag limit on antlered deer set by the Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks may be any antlered deer.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks on January 5
 
Introduced:  01/13/2017
Sponsor:  Senator W. Briggs Hopson, Member, Mississippi Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Authorizes the designation on driver's licenses and identification cards for a person possessing a lifetime sportsman hunting and fishing license.
Status:  Referred to Senate Committee on Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency on January 13
 
Introduced:  01/13/2017
Sponsor: Senator Joseph M. Seymour, Member, Mississippi Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Requires the Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks to publish in certain newspapers notice of proposed rules regarding the regulation of hunting, fishing or wild game; provides the content of the notice; provides that the publication of the notice shall begin on the date that notice of the proposed adoption of the rules are filed with the Secretary of State under the Mississippi administrative procedures law.
Status:  Referred to Senate Committee on Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency on January 13
 
Introduced:  01/19/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Thomas A. Gollott, Member, Mississippi Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Licenses (General)
Summary:  Provides that if a nonresident's domicile state has mandatory licensing requirements then the nonresident must meet those requirements before receiving a Mississippi nonresident commercial fishing license.
Status:  From Senate Committee on Ports and Marine Resources: Do pass on January 25
 
Introduced:  01/19/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Robert Jackson, Member, Mississippi Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Requires the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, in conjunction with the Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Transportation, to identify existing and needed wildlife corridors; files a report and recommendations.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks on January 19
 
Introduced:  01/20/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Deborah Jeanne Dawkins
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Recommends the assessment of the economic value of the natural resources of the state; requires the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, in conjunction with the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality and the Mississippi Department of Transportation, to identify existing and needed wildlife corridors; files a report and recommendations.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. Additionally referred to Senate Committee on Environmental; Protection, Conservation and Resources on January 20
 
Introduced:  01/20/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Deborah Jeanne Dawkins
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Requires the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, in conjunction with the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality and the Mississippi Department of Transportation, to identify existing and needed wildlife corridors.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks on January 20
 
Introduced:  01/20/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Robert Jackson, Member, Mississippi Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
 
Summary:  Enacts the wildlife trafficking prevention act; prohibits the purchase, sell or exchange of certain wildlife species; provides a civil penalty for violations.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. Additionally referred to Senate Committee on Judiciary, Division A on January 20
 
Introduced:  01/20/2017
Sponsor: Senator Joseph M. Seymour, Member, Mississippi Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to wildlife; revises prima facie evidence of hunting, fishing and trapping.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks on January 20
 
Introduced:  01/18/2017
Sponsor:  Representative David R. Hiott, Member,  South Carolina Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Terminally Ill Youth Hunting Opportunities
Summary:  Provides that the director of the Department of Natural Resources may issue special authorization for hunting and fishing to any person who is not more than twenty-one years old who has been diagnosed with a terminal or life threatening illness or injury who is sponsored by certain nonprofit charitable organizations; provides that license, tag, and fee requirements for hunting and fishing are waived; allows the director to determine the period of time in which the special authorization is valid.
Status:  To House Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs on January 18
 
Introduced:  01/10/2017
Sponsor:  Senator George E. Chip Campsen, Chair, South Carolina Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to size limits for certain fish that may be lawfully taken, possessed, landed, or purchased; increases the size limit for flounder that may be lawfully taken, possessed, landed, or purchased.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Fish, Game and Forestry on January 10
 
Introduced:  01/10/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Tilman Goins
Issue Brief:  Guns (General); Firearm Suppressors
Summary:  Enacts the Tennessee Hearing Protection Act, which deletes the prohibition on possession, manufacture, transport, repair, or sale of a firearm silencer.
Status:  In House Committee on Civil Justice: Referred to Subcommittee on Civil Justice on January 24
 
Introduced:  01/17/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Courtney Rogers, Member, Tennessee Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus 
Issue Brief:  Guns (General)
Summary:  Relates to Firearms and Ammunition; treats a licensed firearms dealer the same as a private citizen by allowing the dealer to occasionally sell, exchange, or transfer firearms from the dealer's personal collection without conducting a background check on the buyer.
Status:  Introduced on January 17
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor: Delegate Barry D. Knight, Member, Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA)
Summary:  Relates to study; relates to regulation of menhaden fishing; relates to report; directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study the most appropriate means of regulating the fishing of menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.
Status:  To House Committee on Rules: Tabled on January 25
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Delegate Alfonso H. Lopez
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to Public Lands Day; designates the last Saturday in September, in 2017 and in each succeeding year, as Public Lands Day in Virginia.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Rules on January 25  
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Delegate Paul E. Krizek
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to study; relates to economic impacts of litter on fishing, farming, and water quality in urban streams; relates to report; requests the Department of Environmental Quality to study the economic impact of litter on fishing, farming, water quality, and other components of Virginia's economy and to propose strategies, campaigns, and necessary state actions to protect the economy of the Commonwealth from harm caused by litter and promote Virginia's economic welfare.
Status:  In House Committee on Rules: Tabled on January 26
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Delegate R. Lee Ware
Issue Brief:  Knife Ban Repeal
Summary:  Relates to carrying a switchblade knife; relates to exception; authorizes any person to carry a switchblade knife concealed when such knife is carried for the purpose of engaging in a lawful profession or recreational activity the performance of which is aided by the use of a switchblade knife; removes switchblade knives from the list of weapons the selling, bartering, giving, or furnishing of which is a Class 4 misdemeanor.
Status:  To House Committee on Courts of Justice: Reported favorably on January 20
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Delegate Bobby Orrock
Issue Brief:  Conservation Tax Incentives
Summary:  Relates to real property tax; relates to special assessment for land preservation; prohibits any locality from requiring any taxpayer who is the lessor of real property to produce the lease for the purpose of determining whether the property is eligible for special assessment for land preservation.
Status: Passed House. To Senate on January 26
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Delegate Bobby Orrock
Issue Brief: Wolf in Sheeps Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups; Substandard Kennels
Summary:  Relates to cats and dogs; relates to lifetime licenses; authorizes the governing body of a county or city to provide for a lifetime dog or cat license; removes the minimum annual tax for a dog or cat, sets the maximum tax for a lifetime license at $50, and limits the fee for a duplicate dog or cat tag to $1.
Status:  From House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources: Reported with amendment on January 25
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Delegate Gordon Helsel
Issue Brief:  Licenses (General)
Summary:  Relates to Marine Resources Commission; relates to registration as commercial fisherman; relates to family member or employee; directs the Marine Resources Commission to grant a preference for an exception to the two-year delay in the effective date of a registration as a commercial fisherman; requires the preference to benefit a license applicant who is a member of the immediate family or a documented employee of commercial fisherman who is retiring.
Status:  To House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources 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 Barry D Knight, Member, Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA)
Summary:  Relates to management of menhaden; requires the Virginia Marine Resources Commission to adopt regulations to implement the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Menhaden and authorizes the Commission to adopt regulations for managing the Commonwealth's menhaden fishery; requires that any moratorium on the fishery be subject to legislative review; repeals Code sections relating to quotas, allocation of allowable landings, and administrative procedures.
Status:  To House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources on January 11
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Delegate Robert S. Bloxom
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to Marine Resources Commission; relates to advisory committees; establishes four advisory committees to make recommendations to the Marine Resources Commission on issues relating to the management of, respectively, crab, finfish, shellfish, and habitat; reorganizes two existing advisory boards that deal with commercial fishing and recreational fishing.
Status: From House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources: Reported with substitute on January 25
 
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 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:  01/17/2017
Sponsor:  Delegate C. Matt Fariss
Issue Brief:  Wolf in Sheeps Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups
Summary:  Relates to dangerous dogs; removes the requirement that a law-enforcement officer or animal control officer apply for a summons requiring a dog owner to appear before a general district court when the officer has reason to believe that the dog is dangerous; relates to cases where a dog has bitten a cat or dog; requires investigation by an officer for certain exemptions from the definition of dangerous dog to apply and removes an exemption for good cause as determined by a court.
Status:  To House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources on January 17
 
Introduced:  01/20/2017
Sponsor: Delegate James E Edmunds, Member, Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Licenses (General)
Summary:  Relates to hunting license; relates to own property; requires a landowner to obtain a free hunting license to hunt on land that he owns; directs the Board of Game and Inland Fisheries to adopt regulations to provide for the free license for landowners as well as for other groups that are currently exempt from the license requirement, including the landowner's family members or residential tenants and certain majority shareholders who hunt on land owned by a corporation.
Status:  To House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources on January 20
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Senator William Stanley
Issue Brief:  Budget Bills; Wolf in Sheeps Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups
Summary:  Relates to companion animal surgical sterilization program; relates to fund; relates to penalty; establishes a fund to reimburse participating veterinarians for the surgical sterilizations they perform on eligible cats or dogs; requires that a surcharge of $5 per ton of pet food distributed in the Commonwealth be deposited in the fund and that such pet food be exempted from the existing litter tax; provides that an animal will be eligible for sterilization under the program at no or reduced cost.
Status:  Stricken from docket on January 19
 
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: From Senate Committee on Finance: Reported with Amendment on January 25
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Richard H. Stuart
Issue Brief:  Knife Ban Repeal
Summary:  Relates to furnishing certain weapons to minor; relates to exemption; exempts the transfer of a dirk, switchblade knife, or Bowie knife between family members or for the purpose of engaging in a sporting event or activity from the current prohibition against selling, bartering, giving, or furnishing such weapons to a minor.
Status:  Passed Senate. To House on January 24
 
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:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Frank M. Ruff
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to muzzleloader firearms; relates to definition; incorporates the Virginia criminal law definition of a muzzleloader into the current statutory definitions of muzzleloading pistol, muzzleloading rifle, and muzzleloading shotgun located in the Game and Inland Fisheries Title.
Status: From Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources: Reported Favorably on January 26
 
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:  01/10/2017
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: Passed Senate. To House on January 25
 
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.
Status: Referred to Senate Committee on Finance on January 19
 
Introduced:  01/19/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Dave W Marsden
Issue Brief:  Hunting with Dogs
Summary:  Relates to trespass by persons using hunting dogs.
Status: In Senate Committee on Courts of Justice: Passed by indefinitely on January 25


MIDWESTMIDWESTERN STATES


Introduced:  01/18/2017
Sponsor: Representative David L. Branscum, Member, Arkansas Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Licenses (General)
Summary:  Provides for free hunting and fishing licenses for volunteer firefighters.
Status:  To House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development on January 19

Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Sonya M. Harper
Issue Brief:  Ammunition Restrictions (non-lead); Bullet Serialization; Guns (General)
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.
Status:  To House Committee on Judiciary- Criminal on January 25

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 Judiciary- Criminal on January 25

Introduced:  01/12/2017
Sponsor: Representative David B. Reis, Member, Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Guns (General)
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 Judiciary- Criminal on January 25

Introduced:  01/24/2017 
Sponsor:  Representative John M. Cabello
Issue Brief:  Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  Amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code; provides that the fee for all sport fishing licenses shall be waived for resident veterans of the United States Armed Forces that have been honorably discharged; amends the Wildlife Code; provides that the fee for a hunting license to hunt all species shall be waived for resident veterans of the United States Armed Forces that have been honorably discharged.
Status:  To House Committee on Rules on January 24
 
Introduced:  01/10/2017
Sponsor: Representative Terry Goodin, Co-Chair, Indiana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Enforcement
Summary:  Relates to violations of wildlife protection laws; makes it a Level 6 felony for a person to knowingly or intentionally take a wild bird or wild mammal that is on the endangered species list; makes it a Level 6 felony for a person to illegally take a deer or wild turkey if the person has at least three prior unrelated convictions for illegally taking a deer or wild turkey in the previous seven years; increases the amount that a person must reimburse the state for unlawfully taking, possessing, or selling.
Status:  To House Committee on Courts and Criminal Code on January 10
 
Introduced:  01/17/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Milo Smith
Issue Brief:  Licenses (General)
Summary:  Relates to hunting license; provides that a person without a Social Security number may not be issued a hunting license without providing valid, government issued identification establishing that the applicant is a United States citizen.
Status:  To House Committee on Natural Resources on January 17
 
Introduced:  01/17/2017
Sponsor: Representative Sean R. Eberhart, Co-Chair, Indiana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Hunter Recruitment, Retention, Reactivation
Summary:  Relates to various natural resources matters; adds certain structures that are eligible for institutional road fund money on department of natural resources properties; provides that certain fees concerning fish and wildlife, entomology and plants, water resources, lakes and reservoirs, dams, flood control, mineral extraction, channels, and well drillers and pump installers are considered to be minimum fees; allows the natural resources commission to set certain license and permit fees.
Status:  To House Committee on Natural Resources on January 17
 
Introduced:  01/18/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Robert D. Morris
Issue Brief:  Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  Relates to hunting and fishing privileges for veterans; allows a Hoosier veteran to obtain a hunting, fishing, and trapping license free of charge.
Status:  To House Committee on Natural Resources on January 18
 
Introduced:  01/23/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Heath VanNatter
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to exotic animals and endangered species; defines "domestically bred species and subspecies" as any member of a species or subspecies of fish and wildlife appearing on the United States list of endangered foreign fish and wildlife that is bred in the United States or any territory of the United States from parents or stock held in captivity at the time the breeding of the specimen takes place; specifies that certain domestically bred species and subspecies of fish and wildlife are excluded.
Status:  To House Committee on Natural Resources on January 23

Introduced:  01/24/2017
Sponsor: Representative Robert D. Morris, Member, Indiana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Ammunition Restrictions (non-lead)
Summary:  Relates to sales tax exemption for firearms and ammunition; provides a sales tax exemption for transactions involving firearms and ammunition.
Status:  To House Committee on Ways and Means on January 24

Introduced:  01/24/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Vanessa Summers
Issue Brief:  Microstamping
Summary:  Relates to ballistics and microstamping of firearms; defines "ballistics" and "microstamping" and urges the legislative council to assign the topic of ballistics and microstamping to an interim study committee.
Status:  To House Committee on Public Policy on January 24
 
Introduced:  01/17/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Jim Smith
Issue Brief:  Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  Relates to hunting by disabled veterans; defines "qualified veteran" as an individual who is a resident of Indiana, who has served in the armed Forces of the United States, and who has a service connected disability rating of at least 80%; Allows a qualified veteran to obtain a hunting license free of charge.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Natural Resources on January 17
 
Introduced: 01/17/2017 
Sponsor:  Senator Mark Stoops
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to designated wild areas; provides that 13 specified areas within certain state forests are "designated wild areas"; specifies certain activities that are prohibited or allowed within a designated wild area; establishes responsibilities for the department of natural resources and divisions that manage designated wild areas.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Natural Resources on January 17
 
Introduced:  01/24/2017
Sponsor: Representative Dean C. Fisher, Member, Iowa Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Right to Hunt, Fish, and Harvest Wildlife
Summary:  Proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa; provides that the people of the state have a right to hunt, fish, trap, and harvest wildlife.
Status:  To House Committee on Natural Resources on January 24
 
Introduced:  01/18/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Greg T. Heartsill
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to tagging requirements for deer carcasses; includes penalties.
Status:  In House Committee on Natural Resources on January 19
 
Introduced:  01/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative Bruce Hunter, Member, Iowa Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Ammunition Restrictions (non-lead); Standard Capacity Magazines
Summary:  Prohibits the sale or transfer of large capacity ammunition feeding devices; provides penalties; includes effective date and applicability provisions.
Status:  To House Committee on Judiciary on January 23
 
Introduced:  01/23/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Beth Wessel-Kroeschell
Issue Brief:  Conservation Sales Tax
Summary:  Provides for an increase in the maximum local option sales tax rate to fund local natural resources and outdoor recreation projects.
Status:  To House Committee on Natural Resources on January 23
 
Introduced:  01/24/2017
Sponsor: Senator David J. Johnson, Co-Chair, Iowa Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Right to Hunt, Fish, and Harvest Wildlife
Summary:  Proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa providing that the people of the state have a right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Environment on January 24
 
Introduced:  01/10/2017
Sponsor:  Senator David J. Johnson, Co-Chair, Iowa Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Licenses (General)
Summary:  Increases fees for certain licenses related to fishing.
Status:  In Senate Committee on State Government on January 19 

Introduced:  01/19/2017
Sponsor:  House Agriculture Committee
Issue Brief:  General; Substandard Kennels
Summary:  Amends the Kansas pet animal act.
Status:  House Hearing: Monday, January 30 on January 25

Introduced:  01/20/2017
Sponsor:  Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee
Issue Brief:  General,Substandard Kennels
Summary:  Amends the Kansas pet animal act.
Status:  Senate Hearing: Tuesday, January 31, 2017, 08:30 AM

Introduced:  01/24/2017
Sponsor: Representative James Tedder, Member, Michigan Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus 
Issue Brief:  Conservation Tax Incentives
Summary:  Creates exemption of real property owned by qualified conservation clubs.
Status:  To House Committee on Tax Policy on January 24

Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Jim Nash
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to game and fish; allows use of Scopes on muzzleloaders to take deer.
Status:  To House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance on January 11

Introduced:  01/17/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Chris Swedzinski
Issue Brief:  Lead Ammunition and Fishing Tackle Bans
Summary:  Relates to game and fish; prohibits adoption of rules limiting use of lead shot.
Status:  To House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance on January 17

Introduced:  01/17/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Mike Sundin
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to game and fish; allows use of spear guns to take fish; authorizes rulemaking.
Status:  To House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance on January 17

Introduced:  01/19/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Clark Johnson
Issue Brief:  Licenses (General)
Summary:  Relates to game and fish; modifies resident licensing requirements.
Status:  To House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance on January 19

Introduced:  01/19/2017
Sponsor: Representative Rick Hansen, Member, Minnesota Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
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 House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance on January 19

Introduced:  01/23/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Jeff Howe
Issue Brief:  Exotic Invasive Species
Summary:  Relates to natural resources; extends availability of grant money for removing and preventing aquatic invasive species.
Status:  To House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance on January 23

Introduced:  01/19/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Thomas Bakk
Issue Brief:  Modern Restraining Animal Traps
Summary:  Relates to watercraft; exempts certain watercraft used for trapping from licensing requirements.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance on January 19

Introduced:  01/20/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Justin Eichorn
Issue Brief:  Lead Ammunition and Fishing Tackle Bans
Summary:  Relates to game and fish; prohibits adoption of rules limiting use of lead shot.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance on January 23

Introduced:  01/20/2017
Sponsor: Senator Bill Ingebrigsten, Member, Minnesota Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to game and fish; allows use of Scopes on muzzleloaders to take deer.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance on January 23

Introduced: 01/04/2017
Sponsor: Representative Jered Taylor, Member, Missouri Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Enforcement 
Summary:  Imposes civil penalties for poaching certain animals.
Status:  Public Hearing completed on January 25

Introduced:  01/05/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Justin Hill
Issue Brief:  Guns (General)
Summary:  Specifies that lawful owners of firearms may transport or store the firearms in locked, privately-owned motor vehicles.
Status:  To House Committee on General Laws on January 25

Introduced:  01/19/2017
Sponsor: Representative Chrissy Sommer, Member, Missouri Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Hunter Education; Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  Exempts present and past military members and law enforcement officers from hunter education and safety training course requirements.
Status:  To House Committee on Conservation and Natural Resources on January 25  

Introduced:  01/24/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Nick Schroer
Issue Brief:  Hunter Education; Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  Exempts present and past military members and law enforcement officers from hunter education and safety training course requirements.
Status:  Introduced on January 24

Introduced:  01/05/2017
Sponsor: Senator Burke J. Harr, Member, Nebraska Legislative Sportsmen's Forum
Issue Brief:  Wolf in Sheeps Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups; Ivory Ban
Summary:  Prohibits the sale and trade of ivory.
Status:  Notice of hearing for February 2 on January 20

Introduced:  01/17/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Ernie Chambers
Issue Brief:  Wolf in Sheeps Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups
Summary:  Eliminates provisions relating to the hunting of mountain lions.
Status:  Notice of hearing on February 23 on January 24
 
Introduced:  01/17/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Michael Groene
Issue Brief:  Crossbows; General
Summary:  Provide for possession of archery equipment and knives for recreational purposes.
Status:  Introduced on January 17
 
Introduced:  01/18/2017
Sponsor:  Natural Resources Committee
Issue Brief:  Enforcement; Interstate Wildlife Violators Compact
Summary:  Adopted the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact.
Status:  Notice of hearing for February 8 on January 24
 
Introduced:  01/18/2017
Sponsor: Senator Paul Schumacher, Member, Nebraska Legislative Sportsmen's Forum
Issue Brief:  Knife Ban Repeal
Summary:  Defines the term knife for certain provisions of the criminal code.
Status:  To Legislative Committee on Judiciary on January 20  
 
Introduced:  01/18/2017
Sponsor:  Natural Resources Committee
Issue Brief:  Enforcement; Interstate Wildlife Violators Compact
Summary:  To Legislative Committee on Natural Resources on January 20  
 
Introduced:  01/18/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Bruce Bostelman
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Changes certain violations and penalties under the Game Law.
Summary:  Notice of hearing for February 8 on January 24   
 
Introduced:  01/18/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Bruce Bostelman
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Prohibits interference with hunting, trapping, or fishing by intimidation using a telephone or other communication device.
Summary:  Notice of hearing for February 8 on January 24   
 
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. To Senate on January 18
 
Introduced:  01/09/2017
Sponsor: Representative Rick Becker and Representative Ben Koppelman, Members, North Dakota Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Enforcement
Summary:  Relates to requiring reasonable suspicion for certain traffic stops and stops for violations of laws relating to wildlife.
Status:  Committee amendment adopted on House floor on January 24
 
Introduced:  01/09/2017
Sponsor: Representative Todd Porter, Co-Chair, North Dakota Legislative Caucus
Issue Brief:  Apprentice Hunting License 
Summary:  Relates to youth hunting and the protection of Bald Eagles.
Status:  Committee amendment adopted on House floor on January 24
 
Introduced:  01/09/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Gretchen Dobervich
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to lifetime fishing licenses.
Status:  From House Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Do not pass on January 2
 
Introduced:  01/16/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Daniel Johnston
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to the taking of coyotes; provides an expiration date.
Status:  To House Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on January 16
 
Introduced:  01/09/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Jerry Klein
Issue Brief: Airguns/Airbows
Summary:  Relates to hunting with an airbow, prohibiting hunting with an airbow while intoxicated; provides for testing airbow hunters for intoxicating substances.
Status:  Failed to pass Senate on January 23
 
Introduced:  01/18/2017
Sponsor:  Senator John Grabinger
Issue Brief:  Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  Relates to the use of Scopes on muzzleloading firearms for individuals over sixty-five years of age.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on January 18
 
Introduced:  01/20/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Tim Mathern
Issue Brief:  Substandard Kennels
Summary:  Relates to commercial dog breeders; provides a penalty.
Status: To Senate Committee on Agriculture on January 25   
 
Introduced:  01/23/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Shawn Vedaa
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to identification of fishhouses and coyote snares.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on January 23
 
Introduced:  01/23/2017
Sponsor: Senator Kelly Armstrong, Co-Chair, North Dakota Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to the opening date of pheasant season.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on January 23
 
Prefiled:   01/18/2017
Sponsor: Representative Rick West, Member, Oklahoma Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Hunting with Dogs
Summary:  Relates to hunting dogs; authorizes the use of dogs in hunting except for certain species; requires license to hunt deer with dogs; provides license fee; limits hunting deer with dogs to certain areas and days; requires certain rabies tag be attached to the collar; specifies certain breed of dog to be used; directs the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission to promulgate rules; provides for codification; provides an effective date.
Status:  Prefiled on January 18
 
Prefiled:   01/18/2017
Sponsor: Representative Steve Vaughan, Member, Oklahoma Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to game and fish; creates the Hunting Guide Licensing Act of 2017; provides for noncodification; provides an effective date.
Status:  Prefiled on January 18
 
Prefiled:   01/20/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Cory Williams
Issue Brief:  Licenses (General)
Summary: Relates to game and fish; relates to fishing licenses; creates a six-month fishing license for residents and nonresidents; provides an effective date. 
Status:  Prefiled on January 20
 
Prefiled:   01/19/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Nathan Dahm
Issue Brief:  Enforcement
Summary:  Relates to game and fish; relates to consent to hunt upon the land of another; prohibits game wardens from entering private property under certain circumstances; provides an effective date.
Status:  Prefiled on January 19
 
Prefiled:   01/20/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Nathan Dahm
Issue Brief:  Exotic Invasive Species
Summary:  Relates to game and fish; relates to the removal of feral swine; exempts persons who remove feral swine from the requirement to obtain a license; allows for use of certain technology; relates to the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Code; amends definition; relates to permits to control nuisance or damage by wildlife; clarifies statutory language.
Status:  Prefiled on January 20
 
Prefiled:   01/20/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Paul Scott
Issue Brief:  White-tailed Deer Management - Hunting as a preferred Management Tool
Summary:  Relates to game and fish; directs the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission to limit the taking of antlered deer per season; provides for codification; provides an effective date.
Status:  Prefiled on January 20
 
Prefiled:   01/20/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Joseph Silk
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to hunting on public land; allows for the use of bait while hunting on public lands under certain conditions; defines term; prohibits the taking of certain antlered deer by certain persons on public land; provides for codification; provides an effective date.
Status:  Prefiled on January 20
 
Prefiled:   01/20/2017
Sponsor: Senator J.J. Dossett, Co-Chair, Oklahoma Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  Relates to hunting and fishing; relates to fishing licenses; exempts veterans from annual license requirement; defines term; relates to hunting licenses; exempts veterans from annual license requirement; defines term; provides an effective date.
Status:  Prefiled on January 20
 
Introduced:  01/20/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Dennis Drew Dennert
Issue Brief:  Right to Hunt, Fish, and Harvest Wildlife
Summary:  Proposes and submits to the voters at the next general election an amendment to Article XXI of the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, relating to fishing, hunting, and trapping.
Status: Deferred to the 41st Legislative Day
 
Introduced:  01/23/2017
Sponsor: Senator Craig Estes, Member, Texas Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Freshwater Angling Access
Summary:  Relates to the disposition of proceeds from the sale of freshwater fishing stamps issued by the Parks and Wildlife Department.
Status:  Introduced on January 23
 
Introduced:  01/20/2017
Sponsor:  Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rule
Issue Brief:  Catch Shares
Summary:  Relates to a minimum limit on the amount of chubs that may be commercially harvested from the waters of Lake Michigan.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy on January 20


WESTWESTERN STATES  


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:  To House Committee on Rules on January 23
 
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:  Referred to House Committee on Rules on January 18
 
Introduced:  01/09/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Jay Lawrence
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to Salt river horse herd; relates to penalty.
Status:  Referred to House Committee on Rules on January 10
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor: Senator Gail Griffin, Member, Arizona Legislators for Wildlife
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to critical habitat; relates to expansion; relates to urging repeal.
Status:  From Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Energy and Water: Do pass on January 19
 
Introduced:  01/23/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Steve Farley
Issue Brief:  Modern Restraining Animal Traps, Enforcement, General, Wolf in Sheeps Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups
Summary:  Relates to Game and Fish (g&f); relates to protected species; relates to taking prohibition.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Energy and Water. Additionally referred to Senate Committee on Rules on January 24
 
Introduced:  01/18/2017
Sponsor: Senator Gail Griffin, Member, Arizona Legislators for Wildlife
Issue Brief:  Apprentice Hunting License; Enforcement; Hunter Education
Summary:  Relates to The Department of Game and Fish omnibus.
Status:  Referred to House Committee on Rules on January 19
 
Introduced:  12/05/2016
Sponsor:  Assembly Member Eduardo Garcia
Issue Brief:  Public Access to Private Lands; American System of Conservation Funding; Marine Protected Areas (MPA's)
Summary:  Enacts the California Clean Water, Climate, and Coastal Protection and Outdoor Access For All Act, which would authorize the issuance of bonds to finance a clean water, climate, and coastal protection and outdoor access for all program. Provides for the submission of these provisions to the voters at the statewide direct primary election.
Status:  To Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife on January 19
 
Introduced:  01/13/2017
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:  To Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water on January 26
 
Introduced:  01/18/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Bert Kobayashi
Issue Brief: Freshwater Angling Access
Summary:  Prohibits fishing at any time in the Waikiki-Diamond Head Shoreline Fisheries Management area or the area between the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium and the Diamond Head Lighthouse.
Status:  Subsequent referral set for: House Committee on Judiciary on January 23
 
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:  Introduced on January 23
 
Introduced:  01/23/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Lynn DeCoite
Issue Brief:  Public Access to Private Lands
Summary:  Requires hunters to obtain prior written permission from landowners, occupiers, or holders of private lands to hunt on private lands; excludes Native Hawaiian gathering rights.
Status:  Introduced on January 23
 
Introduced:  01/23/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Ronald Kouchi
Issue Brief:  Public Access to Private Lands
Summary:  Requires hunters to obtain prior written permission from landowners, occupiers, or holders of private lands to hunt on private lands; excludes Native Hawaiian gathering rights.
Status:  Rereferred to Senate Committee on Water and Land on January 26 
 
Introduced:  01/23/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Clarence K. Nishihara
Issue Brief:  Guns (General)
Summary:  Clarifies that failure to register a firearm within the required time period does not relieve the owner of the duty to register the firearm; allows the owner of an unregistered firearm to register the firearm thereafter without penalty.
Status: To Senate Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs on January 25 
 
Introduced:  01/19/2017
Sponsor:  Senate Finance Committee
Issue Brief:  Budget Bills
Summary:  Fish and game - Appropriates an additional $400,000 to the Department of Fish and Game for fiscal year 2017.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Finance on January 20
 
Introduced:  01/24/2017
Sponsor:  Senate Resources and Environment Committee
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Amends existing law to revise certain license, tag and permit provisions; provides for grizzly bear tags; requires taxidermist and fur buyer's licenses for those that engage in the business of buying certain skins and parts of specified animals; requires the retention of records for those who purchase certain skins and parts of specified animals; revises reporting requirements regarding the taking of certain wolves.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Resources and Environment on January 25
 
Prefiled:   12/05/2016
Sponsor:  Office of Senator Bradley Maxon Hamlett
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Creates a State Parks Department; relates to fish and wildlife; relates to recreation, parks, sports; relates to state government.
Status:  Draft in Assembly on January 20
 
Introduced:  01/02/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Jill Cohenour
Issue Brief:  Enforcement
Summary:  Clarifies additional penalties for hunting with artificial light; relates to fish and wildlife.
Status:  To House Committee on fish, Wildlife and Parks on January 20
 
Prefiled:  01/18/2017
Sponsor:  Office of Senator Chas V Vincent
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Concerns the resolution to delist grizzly bear population from ESA; relates to federal government; relates to fish and wildlife; relates to legislature.
Status:  Draft request received on January 18
 
Prefiled:   11/18/2016
Sponsor:  Representative Steve Lavin
Issue Brief:  Licenses (General); College Student Hunting/Angling Licenses
Summary:  Revises nonresident college student big game combination license fee; relates to fish and wildlife.
Status:  Assigned House Bill No. 318 on January 25
 
Introduced:  01/02/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Jennifer Pomnichowski
Issue Brief:  Licenses (General)
Summary:  Allows electronic validation of electronic hunting licenses or tags for game animals and wild turkeys; provides rulemaking authority.
Status:  From Senate Committee on Fish and Game: Do pass as amended on January 24
 
Introduced:  01/02/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Jill Cohenour
Issue Brief:  Enforcement
Summary:  Clarifies additional penalties for hunting with artificial light; relates to fish and wildlife.
Status:  In Senate. Third reading passed. To House on January 19
 
Introduced:  01/06/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Jedediah Hinkle
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  Clarifies what constitutes as shooting from a vehicle for hunting purposes; relates to fish and wildlife.
Status:  From Senate Committee on Fish and Game: Do pass as amended on January 24
 
Introduced:  12/19/2016
Sponsor:  Assembly Member Lesley E. Cohen
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Revises provisions relating to wildlife.
Status:  Filed on December 19
 
Introduced:  01/17/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Stephanie Garcia Richard
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to public health; prescribes factors to determine the management and disposition of wild animals that have bitten or otherwise potentially exposed a human to rabies.
Status:  To House Committee on Energy, Environment and Natural Resources on January 18
 
Introduced:  01/19/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Bealquin Gomez
Issue Brief:  Public Access to Private Lands; General
Summary:  Relates to game and fish; clarifies that the purpose of the big game depredation damage fund includes compensation of landowners for the financial damages caused by big game.
Status:  To House Committee on Energy, Environment and Natural Resources on January 19
 
Introduced:  01/23/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Mike McKell
Issue Brief:  Licenses (General); Hunter Education
Summary:  Modifies the procedure for the acquisition or possession of a hunting license or permit or a furbearer license.
Status:  To House Committee on Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment on January 23
 
Introduced:  01/23/2017
Sponsor: Senator Margaret Dayton, Co-Chair, Utah Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Dedicated Sales Tax on Outdoor Gear
Summary: Addresses sales and use tax exemptions for hunting guide or outfitting services.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Revenue and Taxation on January 23
 
Introduced:  01/23/2017
Sponsor: Senator Allen Christensen, Co-Chair, Utah Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Apprentice Hunting License; Hunter Recruitment, Retention, Reactivation
Summary:  Modifies the requirements for a resident minor to use the hunting permit of another person.
Status:  From Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment: Reported favorably on January 26
 
Introduced:  01/12/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Strom Peterson
Issue Brief:  Ammunition Restrictions (non-lead); Standard Capacity Magazines; Modern Sporting Rifle
Summary:  Bans the sale of assault weapons and large capacity magazines.
Status:  To House Committee on Judiciary on January 12
 
Introduced:  01/13/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Liz Pike
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Ensures that fishing opportunities in Washington are consistent with the economic contributions provided by the fishing user groups.
Status:  To House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on January 13
 
Introduced:  01/18/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Tom Dent
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Commissions an elk management pilot project that focuses initially on the Colockum elk herd.
Status:  To House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on January 18

Introduced:  01/18/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Laurie Jinkins
Issue Brief:  Ammunition Restrictions (non-lead); Standard Capacity Magazines; Modern Sporting Rifle
Summary:  Concerns enhanced background checks and licensure for assault weapons and large capacity magazines.
Status:  To House Committee on Judiciary on January 18

Introduced:  01/19/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Tom Dent
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Concerns compensation for property damage caused by wild deer or elk.
Status: To House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on January 19
 
Introduced:  01/20/2017
Sponsor: Representative Brian Blake, Co-Chair, Washington Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Public Access to Private Lands
Summary:  Concerns the development of cooperative agreements to expand recreational access on privately owned lands.              
Status:  To House Committee on Judiciary on January 20
 
Introduced:  01/19/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Kevin Van De Wege
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Establishes pilot projects for destination steelhead fisheries on the Olympic Peninsula and Klickitat river.
Status:  Hearing scheduled for 1:30 pm in Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Parks on January 26
 
Introduced:  01/19/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Steve O'Ban
Issue Brief:  Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  Supports access to state recreation lands by disabled veterans.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Parks on January 19
 
Introduced:  01/12/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Fred Emerich
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to game and fish; requires the game and fish commission to regulate the possession and importation of certain fur bearing animals; authorizes fees for issuance of certain permits.
Status:  Committee amendment adopted on Senate floor on January 20 

        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


Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter View our videos on YouTube View on Instagram