Tracking the Capitols is a source of legislation currently being tracked by the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation state policy team to keep you informed of the most pertinent and timely state legislation affecting hunting, angling, recreational shooting and trapping and other conservation issues. Inclusion in Tracking the Capitols does not necessarily constitute support or opposition to legislation by CSF and/or the CSF States Program.
Please visit our website for day-to-day updates by CSF's State Program Team on important sportsmen's legislation. To view past bills, please visit the Tracking the Capitols Archive under the Media Room tab on the CSF website.

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

Due to the high volume of legislation, Tracking the Capitols only includes bills that have had status updates within the last week. With questions about specific bills, please contact your regional CSF staff member.
Updates for the week of 
March 13, 2017

NORTHEASTNORTHEASTERN STATES

Introduced: 01/11/2017
Sponsor: Representative Melissa H. Ziobron, Member, Connecticut Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Exotic Invasive Species
Summary:  Requires the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to prepare a plan for the rapid detection and eradication of newly discovered terrestrial invasive species.
Status: Filed with Legislative Commissioner's Office on March 13

Introduced: 01/19/2017
Sponsor: Representative Robert C. Sampson, Member, Connecticut Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Licenses (General)
Summary:  Authorizes lifetime hunting and fishing licenses; allows for the purchase of lifetime hunting and lifetime fishing licenses; provides for an endorsement on the motor vehicle operator's license.
Status: Filed with Legislative Commissioner's Office on March 13

Introduced: 01/12/2017
Sponsor: Representative Stephen G. Harding
Issue Brief: Exotic Invasive Species
Summary:  Concerns lake authorities and combating invasive plant and animal species; provides grants to lake authorities in their efforts to combat invasive plant and animal species.
Status: Reissued by Legislative Commissioner's Office with File No. 41 on March 13

Introduced: 01/20/2017
Sponsor: Representative Caroline Simmons
Issue Brief: Guns (General)
Summary:  Concerns the presentation of a carry permit; requires individuals openly carrying to produce their permit if their firearm is visible and if requested by a law enforcement officer.
Status: Public Hearing Scheduled (03/15/2017) on March 10

Introduced: 01/23/2017
Sponsor: RepresentativeDiana S. Urban
Issue Brief: Ivory Bans
Summary:  Prohibits the sale of ivory and rhinoceros horns; provides criminal penalties for the sale of ivory and rhinoceros horns.
Status: Filed with Legislative Commissioner's Office on March 13

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 certain veterans with service-connected disability ratings from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
Status: Referred to Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis on March 15

Introduced: 01/20/2017
Sponsor: Senator Craig A. Miner, Co-Chair, Connecticut Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Bear Hunting
Summary:  Authorizes bear hunting in the state of Connecticut.
Status: Filed with Legislative Commissioner's Office on March 13

Introduced: 01/10/2017
Sponsor: Representative Jeff Spiegelman, Co-Chair, Delaware Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Game Meat Donation Liability Exemption
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: House Amendment No. HA 1 & 2 placed with bill on March 9

Introduced: 01/27/2017
Sponsor: Representative Abden S. Simmons
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  This bill requires an antlerless deer permit system adopted by the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to give priority in the issuance of a permit to a veteran who was honorably discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard.
Status: Placed in Legislative File (dead) on March 14

Introduced: 01/27/2017
Sponsor: Representative Christina Riley
Issue Brief: White-tailed Deer Management - Hunting as a Preferred Management Tool
Summary:  Requires the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, if antlerless deer permits are issued, to issue antlerless deer permits to applicants who are chosen through a public chance drawing. The commissioner is required to adopt rules by November 1, 2017 establishing a public chance drawing for antlerless deer permits.
Status: Placed in Legislative File (dead) on March 14

Introduced: 01/31/2017
Sponsor: Representative Seth A. Berry
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  Allows a veteran who has a service-connected disability evaluated at 100% by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or any branch of the United States Armed Forces who is issued an antlerless deer permit to choose a wildlife management district in which the person may take an antlerless deer as long as that district is open to the taking of antlerless deer.
Status: Placed in Legislative File (dead) on March 14

Introduced: 01/31/2017
Sponsor: Representative Nathan J. Wadsworth
Issue Brief: White-tailed Deer Management - Hunting as a Preferred Management Tool
Summary:  This bill limits deer hunters to harvesting only deer with 3 or more tines of one inch or longer along the main beam of either or both antlers.
Status: Placed in Legislative File (dead) on March 14

Introduced: 02/03/2017
Sponsor: Representative Nathan J. Wadsworth
Issue Brief: White-tailed Deer Management - Hunting as a Preferred Management Tool
Summary:  This bill amends the current antlerless deer hunting permit system to require that all antlerless deer permits available in a wildlife management district be issued to landowners of record who own at least 50 contiguous acres of land open to hunting by the public and have applied for the permit. It also provides that if the number of available antlerless deer permits in a wildlife management district exceeds the number of eligible landowner applications, the remaining permits must be issued to junior hunters who have applied for an antlerless deer permit in that district. If the number of antlerless deer permits available in a wildlife management district exceeds the number of eligible landowner applications and junior hunter applications, the commissioner is directed to issue the remaining permits as provided in current law.
Status: Placed in Legislative File (dead) on March 14

Introduced: 02/10/2017
Sponsor: Representative Robert A. Foley, Member, Maine Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Public Access to Private Lands; White-tailed Deer Management - Hunting as a Preferred Management Tool
Summary:  Allows a landowner of 25 acres or more who possesses a valid deer hunting license to take an antlerless deer on the landowner's property under that license during hunting season if the property is open to the public for hunting and not located in a wildlife management district that does not have antlerless deer permits issued.
Status: Placed in Legislative File (dead) on March 14

Introduced: 03/09/2017
Sponsor: Representative Peter A. Lyford, Member, Maine Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  This bill excepts the .17 caliber Hornady magnum rimfire rifle cartridge, commonly known as the .17 HMR, from the prohibition on .17 caliber rimfire cartridges for deer hunting.
Status: Senate refers to Joint Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in concurrence on March 14

Introduced: 03/10/2017
Sponsor: Representative Russell Black, Member, Maine Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  This bill prohibits the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife from stocking fish in tributaries of state heritage fish waters and prohibits a person from using live fish as bait on such a tributary.
Status: Senate refers to Joint Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in concurrence on March 14

Introduced: 03/10/2017
Sponsor: Representative Russell Black, Member, Maine Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  This bill exempts from the archery hunting license requirements a person over 16 years of age who hunts for bear under a valid bear hunting permit.
Status: Senate refers to Joint Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in concurrence on March 14

Introduced: 03/10/2017
Sponsor: Representative Russell Black, Member, Maine Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: White-tailed Deer Management - Hunting as a Preferred Management Tool
Summary:  Current law allows the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to open to deer hunting certain coastal and island communities currently closed to hunting, subject to local approval, and to establish a youth deer hunting day. This bill requires the commissioner to open these communities to deer hunting as long as local restrictions are imposed. It requires, while current law permits, the commissioner to create special hunting seasons to control deer populations. It requires the commissioner to create special zones for deer hunting. It allows special hunting seasons and special zones to be created to minimize crop or property damage. It also requires the commissioner to establish a youth deer hunting day.
Status: Senate refers to Joint Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in concurrence on March 14

Introduced: 03/13/2017
Sponsor: Representative William R. Tuell, Member, Maine Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: White-tailed Deer Management - Hunting as a Preferred Management Tool
Summary:  Establish shooting during the open firearm season on deer, which includes the special muzzle-loading open season on deer, at any wild animal or wild bird with a firearm having a rifled barrel from any public paved way or from within 100 feet from the center of the pavement of the public paved way or from within the right-of-way of any controlled access highway a Class E crime for which a fine of $500 must be adjudged; provides for the one-year suspension of the hunting license of a person convicted of doing so.
Status: Senate refers to Joint Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in concurrence on March 14

Introduced: 03/13/2017
Sponsor: Senator Joyce A. Maker, Member, Maine Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Hunter Recruitment, Retention, Reactivation
Summary:  Allows a person who holds a valid junior hunting license to take an antlered or antlerless deer in any wildlife management district on youth deer hunting day.
Status: House refers to Joint Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in concurrence on March 14

Introduced: 01/11/2017
Sponsor: Delegate Meagan Simonaire
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary: Provides for complimentary hunting and fishing licenses to active military, former prisoners of war, recipients of the Purple Heart Award and disabled veterans; requires verification.
Status: Passed House on March 15
 
Introduced: 01/11/2017
Sponsor: Delegate Ned Carey, Co-Chair, Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary: Authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to issue a complimentary angler's license, Chesapeake Bay and coastal sport fishing license, or hunting license and any associated State-issued stamps or permits to a State resident who is a recipient of the Purple Heart award; makes certain stylistic changes; relates generally to complimentary hunting and fishing licenses for recipients of the Purple Heart award.
Status: Passed House on March 15
 
Introduced: 01/20/2017
Sponsor: Delegate Shane Robinson
Issue Brief: Fishing Tournaments
Summary: Prohibits a person from sponsoring, conducting, or participating in a cownose ray fishing contest in State waters; requires the Secretary of Natural Resources to adopt specified regulations.
Status: Passed House on March 15
 
Introduced: 01/25/2017
Sponsor: Delegate Jay Jacobs, Member, Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Sunday Hunting Restrictions
Summary: Authorizes a person to hunt turkey on private property in Kent County on Sundays during the spring turkey hunting season.
Status: To Senate Committee on Education, Health and Environmental Affairs on March 13
 
Introduced: 01/25/2017
Sponsor: Delegate Jay Jacobs, Member, Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Sunday Hunting Restrictions
Summary: Authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to allow a person to hunt deer on private property on Sundays in Kent County throughout all deer hunting seasons, subject to specified provisions of law.
Status: To Senate Committee on Education, Health and Environmental Affairs on March 13
 
Introduced: 01/30/2017
Sponsor: Delegate Anne Healey
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Clarifies that units of local government with planning and zoning authority may adopt specified forest conservation thresholds and reforestation requirements that are more stringent than specified forest conservation thresholds and reforestation requirements in State law.
Status: Passed House on March 15
 
Introduced: 02/01/2017
Sponsor: Frederick County Delegation
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Repeals a prohibition in Frederick County against hunting or attempting to hunt nongame birds and mammals without first obtaining a hunting license.
Status: Second reading passed with amendments. To third reading on March 14
 
Introduced: 02/09/2017
Sponsor: Delegate Johnny Mautz, Member, Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: White-Tailed Deer Management - Hunting as a Preferred Management Tool
Summary: Authorizes an individual who hunts deer under a Deer Management Permit in Talbot County to use a rifle approved by the Department of Natural Resources to harvest deer under the permit if the individual Holds a valid Maryland State Shooter Qualification Card and subject to the conditions set forth in the permit.
Status: Committee Report adopted on House floor on March 14

Introduced: 02/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative Thomas M. Stanley
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  Relates to protecting the legal harvest of striped bass.
Status: Filed as House Docket 1129 on March 14

Introduced: 02/24/2017
Sponsor: Representative Thomas M. Stanley
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  Relates to studying the loss of revenue in the fishing industry of the Commonwealth.
Status: Filed as House Docket 1081 on March 14

Introduced: 03/08/2017
Sponsor: Representative Angelo L. D'Emilia, Co-Chair, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Ammunition Restrictions (non-lead)
Summary:  Allows for the lawful sale of inert ammunition components from certain out-of-state vendors to lawfully licensed gun owners in the Commonwealth.
Status: To Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security on March 9

Introduced: 03/08/2017
Sponsor: Representative Bradley H. Jones, Member, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Conservation Tax Incentives
Summary:  Increases the limit on tax credits for donations of certified land to public or private conservation agencies.
Status: To Joint Committee on Revenue on March 9

Introduced: 03/08/2017
Sponsor: Representative Stephen Kulik, Member, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Conservation Tax Incentives
Summary:  Increases the maximum tax credit allowed for land conservation incentives.
Status: To Joint Committee on Revenue on March 9

Introduced: 01/04/2017
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; corrects references to legislative committees.
Status: From House Committee on Finance: Ought to pass with amendment on March 15

Introduced: 01/05/2017
Sponsor: Representative Karel A. Crawford
Issue Brief: Crossbows
Summary:  Allows a person sixty-eight years of age or older holding a archery license may use a crossbow as an alternative to traditional bow and arrow during the archery deer season without obtaining an additional permit.
Status: Hearing scheduled (03/21/2017) on March 15

Introduced: 03/09/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member Stephen Hawley, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; authorizes hunting of big game with rifles in the county of Orleans.
Status: To Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation on March 9

Introduced: 03/09/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member Stephen Hawley, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  Makes provisions permanent relating to hunting in the county of Genesee.
Status: To Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation on March 9

Introduced: 01/05/2017
Sponsor: Senator Catharine Young, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; provides for free hunting, fishing and trapping licenses to residents of the state who are active duty members of the U.S. armed Forces regardless of where such person is stationed.
Status: To Senate Committee on Finance on March 15

Introduced: 01/05/2017
Sponsor: Senator Robert Ortt, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  Amends the Tax Law; provides a personal income tax credit in the amount of any fishing and/or hunting fees paid by members of the United States armed Forces in active service.
Status: To Senate Committee on Finance on March 15

Introduced: 01/06/2017
Sponsor: Senator Rich Funke, 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; relates to fees for hunting, fishing and trapping licenses; provides free fishing, hunting and trapping licenses for certain members of the military.
Status: To Senate Committee on Finance on March 15

Introduced: 02/27/2017
Sponsor: Senator Tom O'Mara, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: White-tailed Deer Management - Hunting as a Preferred Management Tool
Summary:  Establishes the yearling buck protection program.
Status: Amended in Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation on March 9

Introduced: 03/09/2017
Sponsor: Senator Phil Boyle, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Wolf in Sheep's Clothing/Animal Rights Groups
Summary:  Amends the Environmental Conservation Law; provides that it shall be unlawful for any person to organize, conduct, promote or participate in any contest or competition where the objective of such contest or competition is to take the greatest number of wildlife.
Status: To Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation on March 9

Introduced: 03/09/2017
Sponsor: Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer, Member, New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Forest Management
Summary:  Amends the Real Property Tax Law; exempts certain old-growth forests from private property taxation.
Status: To Senate Committee on Local Government on March 9

Introduced: 02/10/2017
Sponsor: Representative Thomas Murt
Issue Brief: Fishing Reciprocity
Summary: Amends Title 30 (Fish) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in fishing licenses; provides for Senior Resident Annual Fishing License reciprocity.
Status: To House Committee on Game and Fisheries on March 10

Introduced: 01/12/2017
Sponsor: Representative Arthur J. Corvese
Issue Brief: Crossbows
Summary:  Legalizes the taking or killing of wild migratory birds by crossbow.
Status:  Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (03/16/2017) on March 10

Introduced: 02/01/2017
Sponsor: Senator Joshua Miller
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  (Resolution) Would extend the reporting and expiration dates for the special legislative commission to study waterfowl hunting laws and regulations from January 3, 2017, to November 1, 2017, and said commission would expire on December 31, 2017.
Status:  Adopted by Senate on March 15

Introduced: 03/03/2017
Sponsor: 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: Committee amendment adopted on Senate floor on March 15

Introduced: 03/03/2017
Sponsor: Senator Christopher A. Pearson
Issue Brief: Ivory Bans
Summary:  Relates to the sale of ivory or rhinoceros horn.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs on March 14


SOUTHEASTSOUTHEASTERN STATES


Introduced:  02/07/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Tommy Hanes
Issue Brief:  College Student Hunting/Angling Licenses
Summary:  Relates to hunting and fishing; authorizes a nonresident student at an institution of higher education in this state to purchase resident hunting or fishing licenses under certain conditions.
Status:  To Governor on March 16
 
Introduced:  02/23/17
Sponsor:  Representative Tommy Hanes
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to commercial fishing and net and seine permits; provides for the renewal of permits without regard to the income requirements.
Status:  Reported favorably from House Committee on Agriculture and Forestry on March 9
 
Introduced:  03/07/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Bob Bradley
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to water resources; provides an exception to the requirement that bonds issued for acquisition and improvement of land, water areas, and related property interests and resources be deposited into the State Forever Trust Fund and distributed in a specified manner; requires the South State Water Management District to seek proposals from Willing Sellers of property within the Everglades Agricultural Area for land that is suitable for the reservoir project.
Status:  To Senate Appropriations on March 10
 
Introduced:  03/07/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Linda Stewart
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to State black bears; creates the State Black Bear Habitat Restoration Act; requires the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the Department of Environmental Protection to coordinate certain duties and responsibilities to protect State black bears and to preserve their habitat.
Status: To Senate Committee on Environmental Preservation and Conservation on March 14.  Referred to Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Environment and Natural Resources on March 14.  Referred to Senate Committee on Appropriations on March 14
 
Introduced:  03/07/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Gary Farmer
Issue Brief:  Marine Protected Areas
Summary:  Relates to coral reefs.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Environmental Preservation and Conservation. Referred to Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Environment and Natural Resources. Referred to Senate Committee on Appropriations on March 14
 
Introduced:  03/07/2017
Sponsor: Senator Frank Artiles, Co-Chair, Florida Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Invasive species, General
Summary:  Relates to hunting of exotic invasive species in national parks.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Environmental Preservation and Conservation on March 14.  Referred to Senate Committee on Rules on March 14
 
Introduced:  02/13/2017
Sponsor: Representative Robert J. Benvenuti 
Issue Brief:  Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  Requires the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources to offer hunting and fishing licenses to active duty members of the United States Armed Forces at the same cost charged to Kentucky residents.
Status:  Returned to Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy on March 14
 
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 Governor on March 15
 
Introduced:  01/09/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Jason White, Member, Mississippi Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General, Invasive Species
Summary:  Extends the date of the repealer on the statute that requires the Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks to regulate the hunting, trapping and taking of nuisance animals and the issuance of wild hog transportation permits.
Status: House refused to concur with Senate amendments on March 14
 
Introduced:  02/15/2017
Sponsor: Representative Trey Lamar, Member, Mississippi Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Game Meat Donation
Summary:  Authorizes a state income tax credit to venison processors for a percentage of the production cost of processing venison donated by hunters for the Mississippi hunter's harvest program of the Mississippi wildlife federation for which the processor has not been paid or otherwise received reimbursement.
Status:  Died in Committee on March 14
 
Introduced:  03/09/2017
Sponsor: Representative Larry Pittman, Member, North Carolina Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Imposes a duty to avoid wanton waste on persons taking wildlife under a depredation permit.
Status:  To House Committee on Agriculture on March 13

Introduced:  03/15/2017
Sponsor: Representative Josh Dobson
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Authorizes the addition of Black River State Park, Bob's Pocket State natural area, Warwick Mill Bay State natural area, and Salmon Creek State natural area to the state parks system.
Status:  To House Committee on State and Local Government II on March 15
 
Introduced:  03/15/2017
Sponsor: Senator Tom McInnis, Member, North Carolina Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Creates a coyote tagging and bounty program in Richmond County.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Rules and Operations of the Senate on March 15

Introduced:  01/31/2017
Sponsor: Senator Cliff Hite, Member, Ohio Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Revises specified laws relating to environmental protection.
Status:  To House Committee on Rules and Reference on March 15

Introduced:  02/14/2017
Sponsor:  Senator A. Shane Massey
Issue Brief:  Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary:  Relates to disability licenses for hunting and fishing; allows residents receiving benefits from a state retirement system to obtain a three-year combination or fishing license at no cost.
Status:  To House Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs on March 9
 
Introduced:  02/21/2017
Sponsor: Senator Chip Campsen, Co-Chair, South Carolina Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to night hunting and harassment of wildlife; restructures the existing provisions that regulate night hunting; provides that night hunting any animal except deer, bear, turkey, or any animal specified is unlawful; provides appropriate penalties; provides that night hunting deer, bear, or turkey on property not registered with the department for night hunting feral hogs, coyotes, or armadillos is unlawful and to provide appropriate penalties.
Status:  To House Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs on March 9
 
Introduced:  01/30/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Doug Overbey
Issue Brief:  Seniors/Vets
Summary:  Alters hunting and fishing license discounts available to honorably discharged veterans.
Status: Referred to General Subcommittee in Senate Committee on Energy, Agriculture, and Natural Resources on March 13
 
Introduced:  02/8/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Steve Southerland, Member, Tennessee Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to Game and Fish laws; limits the court costs that may be imposed against a person convicted of not wearing sufficient blaze orange while hunting to $50.00.
Status : Passed Senate. To House on March 16
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Delegate Gordon Helsel
Issue Brief:  General License    
Summary:  Relates to Marine Resources Commission; relates to registration as commercial fisherman; relates to family member or employee; directs the Marine Resources Commission to grant a preference for an exception to the two-year delay in the effective date of a registration as a commercial fisherman; requires the preference to benefit a license applicant who is a member of the immediate family or a documented employee of commercial fisherman who is retiring.
Status:  Signed by Governor on March 13. Acts of Assembly. Chapter No. 339
 
Introduced: 01/11/2017
Sponsor: Delegate James E. Edmunds, Co-Chair, 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:  Signed by Governor on March 13. Acts of Assembly. Chapter No. 347
 
Introduced: 01/11/2017
Sponsor: Delegate James E. Edmunds, Co-Chair, Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General License
Summary:  Relates to hunting of big game species; relates to licenses; creates separate licenses to hunt each big game species, as defined by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, instead of one license for all big game species.
Status:  Signed by Governor on March 13. Acts of Assembly. Chapter No. 353
 
Introduced: 01/17/2017
Sponsor:  Delegate C. Matt Farris
Issue Brief:  General
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:  Signed by Governor on March 13. Acts of Assembly. Chapter No. 396
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Senator William Stanley
Issue Brief:  Wolf in Sheep's Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups      
Summary:  Relates to pet shops; relates to procurement of dogs from unlicensed dealers; prohibits any companion animal dealer who is not licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture from selling any dog to a pet shop.
Status:  Signed by Governor on March 13. Acts of Assembly. Chapter No. 399
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor: Senator Richard H. Stuart
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to boating safety course; relates to database listing operators who have passed course; directs the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (the Department) to create a database listing the name and date of birth of every person who has at any time passed an approved boating safety course; requires a law-enforcement officer to search the database for the identity of a motorboat operator if the operator states that he has complied with the requirements for boating safety education.
Status:  Signed by Governor on March 13. Acts of Assembly. Chapter No. 360
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor: Senator Scott A. Surovell
Issue Brief:  Invasive Species, Enforcement
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:  Signed by Governor on March 13. Acts of Assembly. Chapter No. 361
 
Introduced: 01/11/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Frank M. Ruff
Issue Brief:  Guns
Summary:  Relates to muzzleloader firearms; relates to definition; incorporates the Virginia criminal law definition of a muzzleloader into the current statutory definitions of muzzleloading pistol, muzzleloading rifle, and muzzleloading shotgun located in the Game and Inland Fisheries Title.
Status:  Signed by Governor on February 23. Acts of Assembly. Chapter No. 161
 
Introduced: 01/11/2017
Sponsor: Senator Emmett W. Hanger, Co-Chair, Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Conservation Tax Incentives
Summary:  Relates to land preservation tax credit; relates to per taxpayer limitation; extends to taxable year the specified limit on the amount that a taxpayer may claim per year under the land preservation tax credit; the bill retains the specified limit for each subsequent taxable year.
Status:  Signed by Governor on March 13. Acts of Assembly. Chapter No. 424
 
Introduced:  01/11/2017
Sponsor: Senator A. Benton Chafin 
Issue Brief:  General License
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:  Signed by Governor on March 13. Acts of Assembly. Chapter No. 363
 
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: Signed by Governor on March 13. Acts of Assembly. Chapter No. 366
 
Introduced:  02/08/2017
Sponsor: Delegate Rupert W. Phillips, Co-Chair, West Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Knife Preemption   
Summary:  Limits the authority of municipalities to regulate the purchasing, possessing, transferring, owning, carrying, transporting, selling and storing of knives.
Status:  To House Committee on Judiciary on March 15
 
Introduced:  03/09/2017
Sponsor:  Delegate Gary Howell
Issue Brief:  Off Highway Vehicles
Summary:  Relates to a comprehensive inventory of state-managed areas open to off-highway vehicles.
Status:  To House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on March 9

Introduced:  03/09/2017
Sponsor: Delegate Kayla Kessinger, Co-Chair, West Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Hunting Dogs
Summary:  Relates to animal cruelty.
Status:  To House Committee on Judiciary on March 9
 
Introduced:  03/14/2017
Sponsor:  Delegate Jason Harshbarger
Issue Brief:  Enforcement
Summary:  Relates to criminal penalties for the offenses of hunting, trapping or fishing on the lands of another person.
Status:  To House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on March 14
 
Introduced:  03/14/2017
Sponsor:  Delegate Isaac Sponaugle
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Imposes a tax on cattle which is to be used to help fund the U. S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services Fund.
Status:  To House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on March 14
 
Introduced:  02/23/2017
Sponsor: Senator Dave Sypolt
Issue Brief:  Modern Restraining Animal Traps
Summary:  Relates to marking traps with Department of Natural Resources identification tag.
Status:  To House Committee on Judiciary on March 15
 
Introduced:  02/28/2017
Sponsor: Senator Mark R. Maynard, Co-Chair, West Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to state ownership of wildlife.
Status:  Passed Senate. To House on March 16

Introduced:  02/28/2017
Sponsor: Senator Mark R. Maynard, Co-Chair, West Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary: Permits collection and sale of naturally shed deer antlers.
Status:  To House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on March 13

Introduced:  02/28/2017
Sponsor: Senator Mark R. Maynard, Co-Chair, West Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary: Exempts names of licensed hunters from public disclosure.
Status:  Passed Senate. To House on March 16

Introduced:  03/07/2017
Sponsor: Senator Mark R. Maynard, Co-Chair, West Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General, Hunting with Dogs
Summary: Authorizes tracking of wounded or injured bear or deer.
Status:  Passed Senate. To House on March 16

Introduced:  03/10/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Charles Trump
Issue Brief:  Range Protection
Summary: Limits nuisance actions against shooting ranges for noise.
Status:  Passed Senate. To House on March 16

Introduced:  03/11/2017
Sponsor: Senator Randy Smith, Member, West Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Freshwater Angling Access
Summary:  Relates generally to coal mining, coal mining safety and environmental protection.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Energy, Industry and Mining on March 11

Introduced:  03/13/2017
Sponsor: Senator Mark R. Maynard, Co-Chair, West Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Off Highway Vehicles (OHV)
Summary:  Requires DMV create registration plate for full-size special purpose off-road vehicles.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on March 13


MIDWESTMIDWESTERN STATES


Introduced: 03/02/2017
Sponsor: Senator Terry Rice
Issue Brief: Feral Hogs
Summary: Protects private property owners and lessees who capture a feral hog on private property.
Status: Passed Senate (30-1). To house on March 8
 
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:  In House Committee on Agriculture and Conservation: To Subcommittee on Negotiations on March 14
 
Introduced: 02/01/2017
Sponsor: Representative Jerry Costello, Member, Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Crossbows
Summary:  Amends the Wildlife Code; provides that any person may use a crossbow to take any animal during the appropriate archery season.
Status:  In House Committee on Agriculture and Conservation to Subcommittee on Negotiations on March 14
 
Introduced: 02/07/2017
Sponsor: Representative Brandon Phelps, President, National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses Executive Council 
Issue Brief: Firearm Suppressors
Summary: Amends the Wildlife Code; removes the prohibition on the use of a silencer or other device to muffle or mute the sound of the explosion or report resulting from the firing of any gun; amends the Criminal Code of 2012; provides that a person commits the offense of unlawful use of weapons when he knowingly uses, attaches, or possesses with the intent to use or attach any device or attachment of any kind for silencing the report of any handgun, unless the use, attachment, or possession with the intent.
Status: In House Committee on Judiciary - Criminal: To Subcommittee on Firearms and Firearms Safety on March 15
 
Introduced: 02/08/2017
Sponsor:  Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer
Issue Brief:  Licenses (General)
Summary:  Amends the Wildlife Code; provides that except as provided in the Code, it is unlawful to have in his or her possession the green hides of fur bearing mammals without a valid hunting or trapping license; provides that the annual fee for each resident fur buyer's permit shall be a specified amount; provides that all fur Buyers and non-resident auction participants shall maintain records of the receipt, collection, purchase, and sale of green hides of fur-bearing mammals; provides that a record of each.
Status:  From House Committee on Rules: Referred to House Agriculture and Conservation Committee Amendment No. 1. On March 15
 
Introduced: 02/09/2017
Sponsor: Representative Jerry Costello, Member, Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General, Guns (General)
Summary:  Amends the Wildlife Code; provides in various provisions an exemption to carry a firearm on Department of Natural Resources property in accordance with the Firearm Concealed Carry Act.
Status:  In House Committee on Judiciary - Criminal to Subcommittee on Firearms and Firearm Safety on March 15
 
Introduced: 02/09/2017
Sponsor: Representative Jerry Costello, Member, Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Crossbows
Summary: Amends the Wildlife Code; provides that any person may use a crossbow to take wildlife during the appropriate archery season; repeals crossbow provisions limiting the use of crossbows to specified conditions, together with a related definition.
Status: In House. Floor Amendment No. 2 filed. Referred to Rules on March 15
 
Introduced: 02/09/2017
Sponsor: Representative Avery Bourne
Issue Brief: Licenses (General)
Summary: Amends the Wildlife Code; defines hunting license as an electronic or physical license authorizing the person to take a certain type of animal during a specified period of time.
Status: In House. Read third time. Passed House, to Senate on March 15
 
Introduced: 02/09/2017
Sponsor: Representative Sheri Jesiel
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code; provides that all trout, including lake trout, salmon, and lake whitefish may not be taken by commercial fishing devices, including gill or pound nets; provides that any incidental catch of trout, including lake trout, salmon, and lake whitefish taken in legal sized gill or pound nets must be returned immediately to the water; provides that the methods of taking are subject to modification by administrative rule based upon lake-wide scientific assessment data.
Status: In House. Read third time. Passed House, to Senate on March 15
 
Introduced:  02/09/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Sheri Jesiel
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code; provides that the Department of Natural Resources may issue a maximum of 5 commercial fishing licenses for taking from the Waters of Lake Michigan yellow perch, bloater chub, and other commercial fish species designated by Department rule; provides that, at times determined by the Director, the Department shall advertise a public drawing to accept new qualified commercial fishing candidates and establish a ranking order for these new candidates.
Status:  In House. Read third time. Passed House, to Senate on March 15

Introduced: 02/09/2017
Sponsor: Representative Dan Beiser
Issue Brief: Licenses (General), Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary: Amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code; provides that residents of this State may obtain a 5-year fishing license; provides that the fee for a 5-year fishing license is a specified amount; provides that for residents age 65 or older, the fee is one-half of the fee charged for a 5-year fishing license.
Status:  From House Committee on Rules: Referred to House Agriculture and Conservation Committee on March 13

Introduced:  02/09/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Joe Sosnowski
Issue Brief:  Crossbows
Summary:  Amends the Wildlife Code; provides that any person may use a crossbow to take coyotes during any coyote season.
Status:  In House. Read third time. Passed House. To Senate on March 16

Introduced: 02/10/2017
Sponsor: Representative Scott Bennett
Issue Brief: Conservation Tax Incentive, General
Summary: Creates the Natural Areas Stewardship Act; creates the Land Conservation and Stewardship Grant Program to make grants to conservation land trusts to steward lands identified in the Natural Area Inventory, lands designated as a buffer area, lands designated as a nature preserve, or lands registered as an Land and Water Reserve; establishes the duties of the Department of Natural Resources in carrying out the provisions of the Act.
Status:  In House. Committee Amendment No. 2 filed. Referred to Rules on March 16

Introduced: 02/10/2017
Sponsor: Representative Brad Halbrook
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Amends the Wildlife Code; provides that a person may place or scatter deer bait otherwise prohibited when not in active deer hunting season; provides that person who unlawfully baits deer is guilty of a Petty offense subject to a mandatory fine of not less than a specified amount and shall lose hunting privileges in this State for a period of not less than a year.
Status: From House Committee on Rules: Referred to House Committee on Agriculture and 
Conservation Committee Amendment No. 1 on March 15

Introduced: 02/10/2017
Sponsor: Representative Brandon Phelps, Co-Chair, Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
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:  In House Committee on Judiciary - Criminal. To Subcommittee on Firearms and Firearm Safety on March 15

Introduced: 02/10/2017
Sponsor: Representative Deborah Conroy
Issue Brief: Standard Capacity Magazines, Modern Sporting Rifle
Summary: Amends the Criminal Code of 2012; makes it unlawful to deliver, sell, or purchase or cause to be delivered, sold, or purchased or cause to be possessed by another, an assault weapon, assault weapon attachment, .50 caliber rifle, or .50 caliber cartridge; makes it unlawful for any person to knowingly possess an assault weapon, .50 caliber rifle, or .50 caliber cartridge 300 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act, except possession of weapons registered with the State Police.
Status: In House Committee on Judiciary - Criminal. To Subcommittee on Firearms and Firearm Safety on March 15
 
Introduced: 02/09/2017
Sponsor: Senator Neil Anderson, Member, Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General, Licenses (General)
Summary: Amends the Wildlife Code; provides that except as provided in the Code, it is unlawful to have in his or her possession the green hides of fur bearing mammals without a valid hunting or trapping license; provides that the annual fee for each resident fur buyer's permit shall be a specified sum; provides that all fur buyers and non-resident auction participants shall maintain records of the receipt, collection, purchase, and sale of green hides of fur-bearing mammals.
Status: In Senate. Placed on Calendar Order Second Reading on March 16
 
Introduced: 02/10/2017
Sponsor: Senator Don Harmon
Issue Brief: Wolf in Sheeps Clothing/ Animal Rights Groups
Summary: Amends the Wildlife Code; provides that it shall be unlawful for any person to trap bobcat in this State at any time; provides that no person shall knowingly sell, offer for sale, or purchase a bobcat pelt of a bobcat taken in this State; makes conforming changes.
Status: In Senate. Placed on Calendar Order Second Reading on March 16
 
Introduced: 02/10/2017
Sponsor: Senator Don Harmon
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Amends the Wildlife Code; provides that prior to the opening of a new hunting season for an animal that was listed on the endangered or threatened species list in the past 15 years, the Department of Natural Resources shall develop a management plan including: an overall goal for the continued growth of the animal's population and return of a stable population in all prime habitat areas throughout the State for that animal; an analysis demonstrating the impact of hunting in different regions of the State.
Status: In Senate. Placed on Calendar Order Second Reading on March 16 
 
Introduced: 02/10/2017
Sponsor: Senator Don Harmon
Issue Brief: Lead Ammunition and Fishing Tackle Bans
Summary: Amends the Wildlife Code; provides that it shall be unlawful to use lead ammunition to take wildlife in State parks or natural areas; defines lead ammunition as a projectile containing one or more percent lead by weight; makes conforming changes .
Status: In Senate. Placed on Calendar Order Second Reading on March 16
 
Introduced: 02/10/2017
Sponsor: Senator Chapin Rose, Member, Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Amends the Wildlife Code; provides that a person may supplementally feed deer with items otherwise prohibited by the Code when not in active deer hunting season which shall be implemented by the Department of Natural Resources by rule.
Status:  In Senate Committee on Agriculture: Postponed in Committee on March 16
 
Introduced: 01/05/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Woody Burton
Issue Brief:  Ammunition Restrictions (non-lead), General
Summary:  Relates to plastic coated ammunition; defines armor piercing ammunition, and prohibits certain persons from possessing, manufacturing, selling, or delivering armor piercing ammunition; repeals a superseded provision concerning armor piercing handgun ammunition.
Status: Passed Senate, to House for concurrence on March 14

Introduced: 01/17/2017
Sponsor: Representative Sean Eberhart, Co-Chair, Indiana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Licenses (General), Angling Access, Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation
Summary: Relates to natural resources; 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 above the specific minimum fee.
Status: Reassigned to Senate Committee on Appropriations on March 13
 
Introduced: 02/07/2017
Sponsor:  House Human Resources Committee
Issue Brief:  White-tailed Deer Management - Hunting as a Preferred Management Tool
Summary: Relates to tagging requirements for deer carcasses; includes penalties.
Status:  From Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Environment: Do pass on March 9
 
Introduced: 02/28/2017
Sponsor:  House Natural Resources Committee
Issue Brief:  White-tailed Deer Management - Hunting as a preferred Management Tool
Summary:  Relates to the use of a straight wall cartridge to hunt deer, includes penalties.
Status:  In Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Environment: Subcommittee Assignments: Rozenboom, Chair, Greene, Kinney
 
Introduced: 03/09/2017
Sponsor:  House Natural Resources Committee
Issue Brief:  American System of Conservation Funding
Summary: Increases certain fees and reallocates certain revenues related to hunting, fishing, and fur harvesting; includes effective date provisions.
Status:  To House Committee on Ways and Means on March 9
 
Introduced: 01/20/2017
Sponsor: Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Amends the Kansas pet animal act.
Status: House Hearing: Thursday March 16 3:30 PM Room 582-N
 
Introduced: 03/08/17
Sponsor: Representative Tommy Brann
Issue Brief: Substandard Kennels
Summary: Enhances penalties for crimes against animals and makes other revisions.
Status: To House Committee on Law and Justice on March 8
 
Introduced: 03/08/17
Sponsor: Senator Dave Hildenbrand, Member, Michigan Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Right to Hunt, Fish, and Harvest Wildlife
Summary: Proposes an amendment to the state constitution, recognizing the right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife.
Status: To Senate Committee on Outdoor Recreation and Tourism on March 8
 
Introduced:  02/22/17
Sponsor: Representative Tony Cornish, Member, Minnesota Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Enforcement
Summary:  Relates to natural resources; modifies enforcement and penalty provisions; provides criminal penalties.
Status:  In House. Second reading on March 8
 
Introduced:  03/7/17
Sponsor:  Representative Paul Anderson
Issue Brief:  Budget Bills
Summary:  Relates to natural resources; appropriates money for outdoor experiences for disabled veterans.
Status:  To House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance on March 7
 
Introduced:  03/08/17
Sponsor:  Representative Peter Fischer
Issue Brief:  Modern Restraining Animal Traps
Summary:  Relates to game and fish; modifies requirements for certain traps; requires certain permission for traps and snares set; requires reporting; requires license forfeiture for certain violations; provides criminal penalties.
Status:  To House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance on March 8
 
Introduced:  03/09/17
Sponsor:  Representative Bud Nornes
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to game and fish; allows two lines for angling to take fish with second-line endorsement.
Status:  To House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance on March 9
 
Introduced:  03/13/17
Sponsor:  Representative Alice Hausman
Issue Brief: Budget Bill
Summary:  Relates to capital investment; authorizes spending to acquire and better public land and buildings and other improvements of a capital nature with certain conditions; modifies previous appropriations; establishes new programs and modifying existing programs; authorizes the sale and issuance of state bonds; appropriates money.
Status: To House Committee on Capital Investment on March 13
 
Introduced:  03/14/17
Sponsor:  Representative Dale Lueck
Issue Brief: Invasive Species
Summary:  Appropriates money for Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center.
Status: To House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance on March 14
 
Introduced:  01/19/17
Sponsor:  Senator David Senjem
Issue Brief:  Budget Bills
Summary:  Relates to capital investment; authorizes spending to acquire and better public land and buildings and other improvements of a capital nature with certain conditions; authorizes the sale and issuance of state bonds.
Status:  In Senate. Second Reading on March 8
 
Introduced:  02/02/17
Sponsor:  Senator Torrey Westrom
Issue Brief:  Budget Bills
Summary:  Relates to natural resources; appropriates money from environment and natural resources trust fund; modifies requirements for receipt of fund money.
Status:  Rereferred to Senate Committee on Finance on March 8
 
Introduced:  02/23/17
Sponsor:  Senator Justin Eichorn
Issue Brief: Enforcement
Summary:  Modifies enforcement and penalty provisions; provides criminal penalties.
Status: To Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety Finance and Policy on March 14
 
Introduced:  03/02/17
Sponsor:  Senator Carrie Ruud
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  Modifies off-highway motorcycle education and training program; modifies provisions of Minnesota Naturalist Corps; modifies invasive species provisions; modifies requirements for designating forest trails; modifies state water trail provisions; modifies water safety requirements; modifies grant, contract, and lease provisions; modifies provisions to take, possess, and transport wildlife; modifies commissioner's duties and authority; requires rulemaking.
Status: Second reading in Senate on March 14
 
Introduced:  03/07/17
Sponsor:  Senator Justin Eichorn
Issue Brief:  General
Summary:  Relates to game and fish; prohibits first aid or CPR training requirements for bear-hunting guides.
Status:  To Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance on March 8
 
Introduced:  03/09/17
Sponsor:  Senator Carolyn Laine
Issue Brief: Budget Bill
Summary:  Appropriates money for aquatic invasive species work.
Status:  Rereferred to Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance on March 9

Introduced:  03/09/17
Sponsor:  Senator Carolyn Laine
Issue Brief: Budget Bill
Summary:  Appropriates money for aquatic invasive species grants.
Status: To Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance on March 9

Introduced:  03/09/17
Sponsor: Senator Bill Ingebrigsten, Member, Minnesota Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  Relates to game and fish; allows two lines for angling to take fish with second-line endorsement.
Status: To Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Finance on March 9
 
Introduced:  03/10/17
Sponsor:  Senator Carrie Ruud
Issue Brief: Invasive Species
Summary:  Appropriates money for Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center.
Status: To Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Finance on March 13
 
Introduced:  03/10/17
Sponsor:  Senator Carrie Ruud
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  Modifies blaze orange hunting requirements to allow blaze pink.
Status: To Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance on March 13
 
Introduced: 01/17/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Michael Groene
Issue Brief:  General, Guns (General)
Summary: Amends the Wildlife Code: provides in various provisions an exemption to carry a firearm on Department of Natural Resources property in accordance with the Firearm Concealed Carry Act.
Status:  To House Committee on Judiciary - Criminal on February 22
 
Introduced:  01/18/17
Sponsor:  Senator Larry Robinson
Issue Brief:  General License
Summary:  Relates to agent fees for distribution of hunting and fishing licenses; includes licenses to agents outside the state; regulates license fees and certificate fees.
Status:  Signed by Governor on March 13

Introduced:  01/2317
Sponsor:  Senator Shawn Vedaa
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  Relates to identification of fishhouses and coyote snares.
Status: Committee amendment adopted on House floor on March 14

Introduced:  01/23/17
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:  Signed by Governor on March 14

Introduced:  02/01/17
Sponsor:  Representative Taffy Howard
Issue Brief:  Substandard Kennels
Summary:  Revises certain provisions regarding the regulation of commercial breeding operations; removes the requirement for a licensed veterinarian to be in attendance during an investigation of a commercial breeding operation.
Status:  Signed by Governor on March 13

Introduced:  01/26/17
Sponsor:  Representative Ryan Maher
Issue Brief:  General License
Summary:  Revises provisions regarding the amount licensing agents may collect on the sale of certain licenses for the Department of Game, Fish and Parks; includes a snowmobile permit.
Status:  Signed by Governor on March 13

Introduced: 03/06/2017
Sponsor: Representative Lance Gooden
Issue Brief: High Fence
Summary: Relates to creating an offense for the administration of illegal drugs to breeder deer.
Status : Introduced on March 6
 
Introduced: 03/09/2017
Sponsor: Representative Craig Goldman
Issue Brief: General License
Summary: Relates to a fishing license fee waiver for certain residents.
Status : Introduced on March 9
 
Introduced: 03/09/2017
Sponsor: Representative Kyle Biedermann
Issue Brief: Chronic Wasting Disease
Summary: Relates to the testing of breeder deer for chronic wasting disease
Status : Introduced on March 9
 
Introduced: 03/09/2017
Sponsor: Representative Kyle Biedermann
Issue Brief: Chronic Wasting Disease
Summary: Relates to breeder deer affected by chronic wasting disease.
Status : Introduced on March 9
 
Introduced: 03/09/2017
Sponsor: Representative Kyle Biedermann
Issue Brief: Management Authority over Captive Cervids
Summary: Relates to the ownership of certain deer in this state.
Status : Introduced on March 9
 
Introduced: 03/09/2017
Sponsor: Representative Kyle Biedermann
Issue Brief: Chronic Wasting Disease
Summary: Relates to the payment for breeder deer taken for disease management.
Status : Introduced on March 9
 
Introduced: 03/09/2017
Sponsor: Representative Dennis Bonnen
Issue Brief: Gulf of Mexico Red Snapper Management 
Summary: Encourages Congress to pass legislation allowing the state to manage the Gulf of Mexico red snapper fishery out to 200 nautical Miles.
Status : Introduced on March 9
 
Introduced: 03/08/2017
Sponsor: Senator Craig Estes, Member, Texas Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Range Protection
Summary: Relates to the liability of a sport shooting range.
Status: Introduced on March 8
 
Introduced: 03/08/2017
Sponsor: Senator Kirk Watson
Issue Brief: Feral Hogs
Summary: Relates to the study and approval of lethal pesticides for feral hog control.
Status: Introduced on March 8
 
Introduced: 03/09/2017
Sponsor: Senator Craig Estes, Member, Texas Legislative Sportsmen's Cuacus
Issue Brief: High Fence
Summary: Relates to the identification of breeder deer by use of microchip implants.
Status: Introduced on March 9
 
Introduced: 03/10/17
Sponsor: Senator Eddie Lucio
Issue Brief: General License
Summary: Relates to the expiration date of hunting and fishing licenses.
Status: Introduced on March 10
 
Introduced: 03/10/2017
Sponsor: Senator Eddie Lucio
Issue Brief: General License
Summary: Relates to a pilot program to reduce the cost of hunting and fishing licenses for nonresidents.
Status: Introduced on March 10
 
Introduced:  01/20/17
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 March 7
 
Introduced:  02/15/17
Sponsor: Senator Kathleen Vinehout, Member, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary: Relates to an exemption for resident disabled veterans and for recipients of the purple heart medal from the cumulative preference system for issuing wild turkey hunting licenses and tags.
Status:  Public hearing held on March 9.
 
Introduced:  02/21/17
Sponsor: Senator Terry Moulton, Co-Chair, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military, Hunting and Angling Privileges
Summary: Relates to rules that prohibit feeding deer in certain counties.
Status:  Public hearing held on March 9
 
Introduced:  03/07/17
Sponsor: Senator Terry Moulton, Co-Chair, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief:  General
Summary: Relates to regulation of aquaculture and fish farms; provides an exemption from emergency rule procedures; grants rule-making authority.
Status:  Public hearing held on March 9


WESTWESTERN STATES  


Introduced : 03/14/2017
Sponsor: Representative Geran Tarr, Member, Alaska Legislative Outdoor Heritage Caucus
Issue Brief : Invasive Species
Summary : Relates to the response to, and control of, aquatic invasive species; establishes the aquatic invasive species response fund; relates to the provision of information about aquatic invasive species to users of the Alaska marine highway system.
Status : Introduced and referred to House Committee on Resources on March 14
 
Introduced:  01/18/2017
Sponsor:  Senator Gail Griffin, Member, Arizona Legislators for Wildlife
Issue Briefs: General, Apprentice Hunting License,   Enforcement
Summary:  Relates to The Department of Game and Fish omnibus.
Status:  Signed by Governor on March 14

Introduced:  02/17/2017
Sponsor: Assembly Member Travis Allen, Member, California Outdoor Sporting Caucus
Issue Brief: Firearm Suppressors
Summary:  Makes the crime of possessing a silencer inapplicable to the sale to, purchase by, or possession by the Department of the California Highway Patrol, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the possession by peace officers employed by those agencies, or the sale or other transfer in interstate or foreign commerce by registered dealers or manufacturers.
Status:  To Assembly Committee on Public Safety on March 13
 
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:  In Senate. Read second time and amended. Re-refferred to Committee on Appropriations on March 15
 
Introduced:  01/25/2017
Sponsor: Senator Tom Berryhill, Co-Chair, California Outdoor Sporting Caucus
Issue Brief: Licenses (General)
Summary:  Makes nonsubstantive changes to existing law which requires the Department of Fish and Wildlife and authorized license agents to issue sport fishing licenses that are valid for various periods of time upon payment of the fee applicable to the particular license.
Status:  Re-referred to Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water on March 13.
 
Introduced:  02/06/2017
Sponsor: Senator Tom Berryhill, Co-Chair, California Outdoor Sporting Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary:  Prohibits a local agency from adopting or enforcing an ordinance to regulate fishing. Authorizes any person to bring an action against a local agency for a violation of the prohibition. Requires the court to award attorney's fees to a party who prevails in an action and to award damages, including punitive damages.
Status: To Senate Committee on Judiciary on March 14 

Introduced : 02/01/2017
Sponsor : Senator Owen Hill
Issue Brief : Knife Definitions
Summary : Concerns legalizing certain knives.
Status : To the Governor on March 15

Introduced : 02/28/2017
Sponsor : Senator Don Coram, Member, Colorado Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Concerns measures to conserve native species in Colorado; makes appropriations from the species conservation trust fund for purposes recommended by the department of natural resources.
Status : Passed Senate Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Energy (10-1). To Senate Committee on Appropriations on March 9
 
Introduced:  01/25/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Ryan Yamane
Issue Brief: Firearm Suppressors
Summary:  Authorizes licensed hunters who comply with state firearms law to possess and use firearm noise suppressors while hunting; authorizes the manufacture and sale of firearm noise suppressors for licensed hunters who comply with state firearms law.
Status:  Failed First Crossover Deadline on March 9

Introduced : 02/14/2017
Sponsor: House Committee on Resources and Conservation
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding Idaho's primacy over the management of its wildlife and water resources; provides that any introduction or reintroduction without state consultation and approval is prohibited.
Status : Passed Senate on March 14

Introduced : 02/24/2017
Sponsor: House Committee on Health and Welfare
Issue Brief : General License
Summary : Amends and adds to existing law to provide for the use of sums for fishing access; to revise provisions relating to moneys paid into the fish and game set-aside account; to provide for the use of moneys derived from certain license endorsements; to revise provisions relating to the transfer of certain amounts from the expendable big game depredation fund; to revise conditions and requirements regarding payment for certain damages due to depredation; to revise certain deposit provisions regarding the fish and game set-aside account; to provide for three year nonresident junior fishing licenses; to provide for license endorsements to fund wildlife depredation compensation and prevention and sportsmen access programs; to revise certain license fees; to revise provisions relating to procedures associated with depredation claims; and to provide that methods of determining forage utilization and damage or loss due to wildlife may include exclosure cages or other devices.
Status: Introduced, read for printing, and referred to House Committee on Resources and Conservation on March 1.
Status : Received do pass recommendation in Senate Resources and Environment on March 13

Introduced : 03/1/2017
Sponsor: House State Affairs Committee
Issue Brief : Invasive Species
Summary : States the findings of the Legislature; encourages Western States and the federal government to establish cooperative and coordinated efforts with the State of Idaho to prevent; whatever extent possible, through efforts including inspections, decontamination policies, enforcement of Laws and rapid response protocols, further spread of the mussels, and containment where established, until such time as viable tools for eradication are discovered.
Status : Passed Senate on March 14

Introduced : 03/9/2017
Sponsor: Senate Health and Welfare Committee
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Urges Congress to authorize the state full access to all state and federal lands within the state.
Status : Referred to House Committee on Resources and Conservation on March 14

Introduced : 02/7/2017
Sponsor: Senate State Affairs Committee
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Amends existing law to provide that individuals or landowners that have been issued a kill permit by the director of the Department of or his designee may, in conjunction with their responsibility for field dressing the animals taken, keep one animal for their personal use; provides that under certain conditions a second animal subsequently taken may be kept by the individual or landowner.
Status : Passed Senate and referred to House on March 9
 
Introduced : 12/5/2016
Sponsor: Senator Margie MacDonald
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Extends vehicle registration fees for parks and fishing access to additional vehicles; relates to motor vehicles; relates to recreation, parks, sports.
Status : Draft ready for delivery on March 13
 
Introduced : 12/12/2016
Sponsor: Representative Mike Cuffe, Member, Montana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : Exotic Invasive Species
Summary : Revises aquatic invasive species; relates to environmental protection; relates to fish and wildlife; relates to water.
Status : Draft to requester for review on March 13
 
Introduced : 01/2/2017
Sponsor: Representative Ray Shaw
Issue Brief : Apprentice Hunting Programs
Summary : Revises waiting period for bighorn sheep licenses; relates to population management licenses.
Status : Received do pass recommendation from Senate Committee on Fish and Game on March 9
 
Introduced : 01/23/2017
Sponsor: Representative Bill Harris, Member, Montana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Revises laws related to county bounties on predators; allows counties to establish the dollar amount of bounties; revises funding sources for bounties; revises the term of the county livestock fee; revises appointment of bounty inspectors.
Status : Passed Senate on March 10
 
Introduced : 02/10/2017
Sponsor: Representative Kelly Flynn, Member, Montana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Creates Montana Wildlife Habitat Improvement Act; allows the use of federal funds to combat noxious weeds and restore wildlife habitat; establishes a wildlife habitat improvement advisory council; provides rulemaking authority.
Status : Passed House on March 16

Introduced : 01/2/2017
Sponsor: Senator Mark Blasdel, Member, Montana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Allows online sale of raffle tickets by non-profit organizations.
Status : Senate refused to concur with House amendments on March 14

Introduced : 01/6/2017
Sponsor: Senator Jedediah Hinkle, Co-Chair, Montana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : Enforcement
Summary : Clarifies what constitutes as shooting from a vehicle for hunting purposes; relates to fish and wildlife.
Status : Passed House on March 14
 
Introduced : 01/30/2017
Sponsor: Senator Mike Lang, Member, Montana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Prohibits sale of fishing or hunting license if child support owed; relates to family law; relates to fish and wildlife; relates to state revenue.
Status : Senate Committee on Judiciary recommended to pass as amended on March 14

Introduced : 01/31/2017
Sponsor: Senator Jill Cohenour, Co-Chair, Montana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Prohibits use of out of state urine as cover scent; relates to fish and wildlife; relates to rule making.
Status : Senate Committee on Fish and Game recommended do pass as amended on March 14
 
Introduced : 01/31/2017
Sponsor: Senator Jeffrey Welborn, Member, Montana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : Game Meat Donation Programs
Summary : Repeals the sunset on the hunters against hunger program; relates to fish and wildlife; relates to state revenue; relates to rule making.
Status : Received to pass recommendation in House Committee on Fish, Wildlife, and Parks on March 10

Introduced : 02/1/2017
Sponsor: Senator Doug Kary, Member, Montana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Authorizes transfer of game to licensed outfitter for inspection purposes; relates to fish and wildlife; relates to professions and occupations; relates to state revenue.
Status : Received do pass as amended recommendation in Senate Committee on Fish and Game on March 9

Introduced : 02/1/2017
Sponsor: Senator Jill Cohenour, Co-Chair, Montana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Prohibits importing certain animal body parts from chronic wasting disease states; relates to crimes; relates to fish and wildlife; relates to state revenue; relates to rule making.
Status : Senate Committee on Fish and Game recommended do pass as amended on March 14
 
Introduced : 02/7/2017
Sponsor: Senator Mark Blasdel, Member, Montana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : Apprentice Hunting Programs
Summary : Revises the apprentice hunter program; clarifies that persons younger than twelve years of age who complete a hunter safety and education course are eligible; changes mentor requirements for those eighteen years of age and older; prohibits an apprentice hunter from obtaining a black bear, mountain lion, or wolf license; extends rulemaking authority.
Status : Referred to House Committee on Fish, Wildlife, and Parks on March 13
 
Introduced : 01/17/2017
Sponsor : Representative Alonzo Baldonado, Member, New Mexico Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : Enforcement
Summary : Relates to game and fish; provides stricter penalties for major violations in unlawful taking of big game and waste of game.
Status : Passed Senate Committee on Finance on March 14                               
           
Introduced : 01/17/2017
Sponsor : Senator Mimi Stewart
Issue Brief : Ivory
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 : Passed House Committee on Judiciary on March 15
 
Introduced : 01/30/2017
Sponsor : Senator Jeff Steinborn
Issue Brief : Anti
Summary : Relates to animals; prohibits coyote-killing contests; defines coyote-killing contest.
Status : Passed House Committee on Judiciary on March 16
 
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:  Hearing held in House Agriculture and Natural Resources on March 15
 
Introduced : 02/1/2017
Sponsor: Representative Knute Buehler
Issue Brief : Game Meat Donation Programs
Summary : Modifies requirements relating to donating game meat to charitable organizations.
Status : Work session held in House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on March 14
 
Introduced : 03/1/2017
Sponsor: Representative Mike McLane
Issue Brief : Enforcement
Summary : Requires State Fish and Wildlife Commission to implement program to encourage reporting of wildlife law violations.
Status : Public hearing scheduled in House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on March 23
 
Introduced : 03/2/2017
Sponsor: House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Prohibits introduction of wildlife species into area outside species' current range without authorization from State Fish and Wildlife Commission; requires commission to engage in certain rulemaking before introducing species into area outside species' current range; requires commission to notify certain members of Legislative Assembly prior to rulemaking; requires commission to participate, to maximum extent practicable, in actions by federal agency to introduce or reintroduce populations of wildlife.
Status : Public hearing held in House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on March 14
 
Introduced:  01/23/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Carl Albrecht
Issue Brief: General 
Summary:  Modifies provisions related to the release or transplantation of species.
Status:  To Governor on March 15
 
Introduced:  02/13/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Ken Ivory
Issue Brief: General, Exotic Invasive Species
Summary:  Demands that the federal government take steps to humanely reduce the wild horse and burro population in the state, either by relinquishing federal control to the state or completely fulfilling the mandate of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971.
Status:  Enacting Clause struck on March 9
 
Introduced:  02/16/2017
Sponsor:  Representative Michael Noel
Issue Brief: No-Net-Loss
Summary:  Supports access and recreation on lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management in Utah.
Status:  Enacting Clause struck on March 9
 
Introduced:  01/23/2017
Sponsor: Senator Margaret Dayton, Co-Chair, Utah Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Outdoor Sporting Goods Tax Holiday
Summary:  Addresses sales and use tax exemptions for hunting guide or outfitting services.
Status:  Enacting Clause struck on March 9
 
Introduced : 01/20/2017
Sponsor: Representative Brian Blake, Co-Chair, Washington Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : Access to Private Lands
Summary : Concerns the development of cooperative agreements to expand recreational access on privately owned lands.
Status : Hearing held in Senate Natural Resources and Parks Committee on March 14
 
Introduced : 01/27/2017
Sponsor: Senator Phil Fortunato, Co-Chair, Washington Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief : Hunter Education
Summary : Provides funding for the hunter education training program operated by the department of fish and wildlife through the issuance of national rifle association special license plates.
Status : Referred to House Committee on Transportation on March 10
 
Introduced : 01/27/2017
Sponsor : Representative Tim Salazar
Issue Brief : General
Summary : Relates to game and fish; provides for an area of land adjacent to the specified are be designated as an area where property owners are eligible for damage compensation for damage caused by gray wolves; relates to arbitration; specifies applicability; provides for rulemaking; provides for an effective date.
Status: Signed by Governor Matt Mead, Vice Chair, Governors Sportsmen's Caucus on March 13
        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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