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 

August 10, 2015
NORTHEASTERN STATES


Introduced: 01/08/2015
Sponsor: Representative John Burt, Member, New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Firearm Suppressors
Summary: Repeals provisions which prohibit the use of silencing devices for taking wildlife and impose penalties therefor.
Status: Retained Bill - Subcommittee Work Session scheduled for August 20

Introduced: 01/08/2015
Sponsor: Representative John Burt, Member, New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Provides that rules adopted by the fish and game department for baiting shall allow persons with a disability to engage in baiting during any regular season in which baiting is permitted.
Status: Retained Bill - Subcommittee Work Session scheduled for August 26

Introduced: 01/08/2015
Sponsor: Representative Guy Comtois
Issue Brief: Guns
Summary: I: increases the length of time for which a license to carry a pistol or revolver is valid; II: allows a person to carry a loaded, concealed pistol or revolver without a license provided such person is not otherwise prohibited by law; III: repeals the requirement to obtain a license to carry a concealed pistol or revolver; 15-0798 04/09.
Status: Retained Bill - Full Committee Work Session scheduled for August 20

Introduced: 01/14/2015
Sponsor: Senator Shirley Turner
Issue Brief: Apprentice Hunting License
Summary: Establishes apprentice hunting licenses for residents and non-residents; includes a small game license.
Status: Signed by Governor (Chapter No. 2015-83) on August 10
 
Introduced: 12/01/2014
Sponsor: Senator Stephen Sweeney, Member, New Jersey Angling and Hunting Conservation Caucus   
Issue Brief: Apprentice Fishing License
Summary: Creates the Fishing Buddy License; concerns all around sportsman and fishing licenses; provides for the licensure of applicants for a combined license at a specified fee for the two persons for both licenses.
Status: Signed by Governor (Chapter No. 2015-99) on August 10

Introduced: 08/10/2014
Sponsor: Senator Raymond Lesniak   
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Prohibits possession, transport, import, export, processing, sale, or shipment of certain animal species threatened with extinction.
Status: To Senate Committee on Economic Growth on August 10

Introduced: 02/02/2015
Sponsor: Representative Fred Keller
Issue Brief: Outdoor Sport Tax Holiday  
Summary: Amends the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in tax for education; provides for exclusions from sales and use tax.
Status: In House: Removed from table on July 21  


SOUTHEASTERN STATES


Introduced: 08/05/2015
Sponsor: Representative Tommy Hanes
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Amends Section 9-12-113 of the Code of Alabama 1975, relating to commercial fishing and net and seine permits; provides for the renewal of permits of persons who failed to meet the income requirements for certain license years.
Status: From House Committee on Agriculture and Forestry: Reported favorably on August 7
 
Introduced: 04/14/2015
Sponsor: Representative Chris Millis 
Issue Brief: Angling Access  
Summary: Directs the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, in cooperation with the Wildlife Resources Commission, to take action that encourages wetland mitigation practices supportive of public recreation and hunting on mitigation sites; establishes that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall seek more net gains of aquatic resources through compensatory mitigation; increases wetland establishment of diverse habitats, including emergent marsh habitat and shallow open water habitats.
Status: Signed by Governor (Session Law No. 2015-194) on August 5
 
Introduced: 03/25/2015
Sponsor: Senator Bill Cook, Member, North Carolina Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: General   
Summary: Repeals the requirement that a holder of a for hire coastal recreational fishing license submit a logbook summarizing catch and effort statistical data; directs the Division of Marine Fisheries to study the advisability of requiring the submission of catch and effort statistical data; forbids the Department of Environment and Natural Resources from entering into a joint enforcement agreement with the National Marine Fisheries Service; directs the Division of Marine Fisheries to study the agreement.
Status: Signed by Governor (Session Law No. 2015-201) on August 5 

 
MIDWESTERN STATES


Introduced: 02/25/2015
Sponsor: Representative Jerry Costello, Member, Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Issue Brief: Apprentice Hunting License
Summary: Amends the Wildlife Code; provides that any resident youth of a certain age and under may apply for a Youth Hunting License, which extends limited hunting privileges; provides that at a certain age or when the youth chooses to hunt by himself or herself, he or she is required to successfully complete a hunter safety course prior to being able to obtain a full hunting license and subsequently hunt by himself or herself; makes a corresponding change.
Status: Signed by Governor (Public Act No. 307) on August 7   
 
Introduced: 02/26/2015
Sponsor: Representative Mike Smiddy, Member, Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus 
Issue Brief: Crossbows
Summary: Amends the Wildlife Code; provides that an individual with a youth hunting license may use a crossbow during the first half of the regular deer archery season, provided that the individual remains under the direct supervision of an adult who possesses a valid permit; provides that youths authorized to take deer with a crossbow shall first obtain a specified Deer Hunting Permit.
Status: Signed by Governor (Public Act No. 308) on August 7   

 
WESTERN STATES 


There are currently no legislative updates from the Western region.   
        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 go to 
www.SportsmensLink.org

For additional information on legislation included in this report please contact the appropriate representative: 
 
Southeastern States Manager Bee Frederick, at 334.593.6988, or email [email protected]
 
Midwestern States Director Chris Horton, at 501.865.1475, or email [email protected]
 
Northeastern States Director Brent Miller, at 202.543.6850 x 13, or email [email protected]
 
Midwestern States Coordinator Kyle Rorah (MI, IN, OH, WI, MN, IA, ND, SD), at 734.477.5040, or email [email protected]
 
Western States Director Andy Treharne, at 303.789.7589, or email [email protected]
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