Maine H 214
Introduced: 02/06/2015
Sponsor: Representative Russell Black, Member, Maine Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
Issue Brief: Hunting with Dogs
Summary: Allows a person licensed to guide hunters to use one leashed dog outside of legal hunting hours to track and dispatch a bear wounded by the guide’s client.
Status: Senate refers to Joint Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in concurrence on February 12
Maine H 265
Introduced: 02/11/2015
Sponsor: Representative Stephen Wood, Co-Chair, Maine Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
Issue Brief: Recruitment
Summary: Requires the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to establish by rule a youth bear hunting day on the Saturday prior to the opening of bear hunting season.
Status: Senate refers to Joint Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in concurrence on February 12
Maine H 291
Introduced: 02/11/2015
Sponsor: Representative Stephen Wood, Co-Chair, Maine Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
Issue Brief: Firearm Suppressors
Summary: Allows a person to use a firearm fitted or contrived with a device for deadening the sound of explosion to kill wild animals or wild turkeys that are damaging crops, orchards or property or harming domestic animals.
Status: Senate refers to Joint Commitee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in concurrence on February 12
Maryland H 554
Introduced: 02/11/2015
Sponsor: Delegate Wendell Beitzel, Co-Chair, Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus; Member, National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses Executive Council
Issue Brief: Senior Licenses
Summary: Establishes a nonresident senior hunting license; authorizes a nonresident who owns at least 25 Acres of land in the State to purchase the license beginning in the calendar year in which the nonresident attains the age of 65; establishes a $65.00 fee for the license.
Status: To House Committee on Environment and Transportation on February 11
Maryland H 655
Introduced: 02/12/2015
Sponsor: Delegate Glen Glass
Issue Brief: Sunday Hunting
Summary: Authorizes a person to hunt deer on private property in Harford County with a bow and arrow or crossbow during open season at specified times subject to specified provisions of law.
Status: To House Committee on Environment and Transportation on February 12
Maryland H 713
Introduced: 02/12/2015
Sponsor: Delegate Eric Luedtke
Issue Brief: Ivory
Summary: Prohibits a person from purchasing, selling, offering for sale, possessing with the intent to sell, or importing with the intent to sell any ivory or rhinoceros horn, subject to specified exceptions; establishes under specified circumstances a presumption that a person possesses ivory or rhinoceros horn with the intent to sell; establishes specified penalties for a violation of the Act; authorizes a court to order that a person who violates the Act pay specified restitution to be used for specified/.
Status: To House Committee on Judiciary on February 12
Maryland H 958
Introduced: 02/13/2015
Sponsor: Delegate Johnny Mautz
Issue Brief: Outdoor Sporting Tax Holiday
Summary: Establishes a sales and use tax exemption period for the 7-day period from the third Sunday in April through the following Saturday for specified hunting and sporting goods shopping in Maryland during which the sales and use tax does not apply to the sale of firearms, fishing supplies, and hunting supplies if the taxable price of the item is less than $1,000.
Status: To House Committee on Ways and Means on February 13
Maryland S 748
Introduced: 02/13/2015
Sponsor: Senator Thomas McLain Middleton
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Provides that specified provisions of law related to the sale of livestock apply to specified deer; provides that the Maryland Wholesome Meat Act applies to specified deer; requires the Secretary of Agriculture and the Department of Natural Resources on or before October 1, 2016, to adopt regulations to establish requirements for the processing, inspection, labeling and sale of wild venison in the State; authorizes a person who Holds a crop damage permit to hunt deer under specified circumstances.
Status: To Senate Committee on Rules on February 13
New Hampshire H 500
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: Subcommittee Work Session: March 3
New Hampshire S 222
Introduced: 01/08/2015
Sponsor: Senator David Watters, Member, New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
Issue Brief: Drones
Summary: Extends the prohibition on harassment of persons hunting, fishing, or trapping and adds the use of unmanned aerial vehicles to the activities prohibited; this bill is a request of the fish and game department.
Status: Passed Senate. To House on February 12
Rhode Island S 346
Introduced: 02/12/2015
Sponsor: Senator Walter Felag
Issue Brief: Anti
Summary: Would provide a protected area around recognized wildlife refuges in which hunting with weapons would be prohibited. This act would take effect upon passage.
Status: To Senate Committee on Judiciary on February 12
Vermont H 210
Introduced: 02/11/2015
Sponsor: Representative Patrick Brennan, Co-Chair, Vermont Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
Issue Brief: Firearm Suppressors
Summary: Relates to prohibiting the use of a gun suppressor while hunting.
Status: To House Committee on Fish, Wildlife, and Water Resources on February 12
Vermont S 83
Introduced: 02/11/2015
Sponsor: Senator Robert Starr
Issue Brief: Enforcement
Summary: Relates to increasing penalties for fish and wildlife violations.
Status: To Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy on February 12
Florida H 7003
Introduced: 02/12/2015
Author: House State Affairs Committee
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to water resources; revises provisions relating to water resource development, the establishment and implementation of minimum flows and levels, central Florida Water Initiative, projects of South Florida Water Management District, preferreds water supply sources, consumptive use permit applications, improvements on private agricultural lands, northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program, powers and duties of water management districts.
Status: In House: On Committee agenda for February 19
Florida S 584
Introduced: 01/30/2015
Sponsor: Senator Charles Dean, Member, Florida Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to implementation of the water and land conservation constitutional amendment; terminates certain trust funds within the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; requires moneys in land acquisition trust funds created or designated to receive funds under s. 28, Article X of the State Constitution to be retained in those trust funds.
Status: From Senate Committee on Environmental Preservation and Conservation: Reported favorably on February 18
Florida S 586
Introduced: 01/30/2015
Sponsor: Senator Charles Dean, Member, Florida Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to implementation of the water and land conservation constitutional amendment; provides that specified distributions to the Land Acquisition Trust Fund are not subject to the service charge under s. 215.20, F.S.; repeals provisions relating to beach erosion control project staffing, funding for the state’s beach management plan, and the State Preservation 2000 Trust Fund; requires specified public recreation projects to have been selected through the Department of Environmental Protection’s.
Status: From Senate Committee on Environmental Preservation and Conservation: Reported favorably with substitute on February 18
Kentucky H 177
Introduced: 01/09/2015
Sponsor: Representative Greg Stumbo, Member, Kentucky Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to cruelty to animals; defines adequate shelter in regard to livestock and domestic animals other than livestock; requires persons having custody of an animal to provide adequate shelter and to clarify exceptions.
Status: Posted in committee on February 13
Kentucky S 55
Introduced: 01/06/2015
Sponsor: Senator Robin Webb, Co-Chair, Kentucky Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus; President, National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses Executive Council
Issue Brief: Game Meat Donation
Summary: Relates to the donation of game meat; defines not-for-profit organization take and wildlife; prohibits state and local government entities from restricting the donation of game meat to or from not-for-profit organizations for the purpose of free meal distribution; requires that the game meat be from wildlife that was taken in the Commonwealth, properly field dressed and processed, and apparently disease-free and unspoiled.
Status: To House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment on February 11
Kentucky S 146
Introduced: 02/10/2015
Sponsor: Senator Robin Webb, Co-Chair, Kentucky Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus; President, National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses Executive Council
Issue Brief: Knife Preemption
Summary: Relates to knives; prohibits any unit of local government from having local knife control ordinances; establishes limitations on local action; requires repeal of any local knife ordinance; provides that parties may sue to enjoin violations.
Status: To Senate Committee on State and Local
North Carolina H 65
Introduced: 02/11/2015
Sponsor: Representative Jeffrey Elmore
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Establishes a season fro trapping foxes in Wilkes County
Status: To House Committee on Wildlife Resources on February 11
South Carolina H 3563
Introduced: 02/11/2015
Sponsor: Representative Stephen Goldfinch, Member, South Carolina Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
Issue Brief: Hunting Dogs
Summary: Relates to open season for antlered deer in the various game zones throughout the state and hunting and taking of deer; provides that with certain exceptions it is unlawful to pursue deer with dogs.
Status: To House Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs on February 11
South Carolina H 3573
Introduced: 02/11/2015
Sponsor: Representative Kirkman Finlay, Member, South Carolina Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to the unlawful baiting of wild turkeys; provides that the term baited area does not include a field that is planted under normal agricultural practices; relates to wild turkey hunting and wild turkey transportation tags; provides for the issuance of individual wild turkey transportation tags; provides for the issuance of wild turkey transportation tag permits to a landowner or lessee for a fee.
Status: To House Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs on February 11
South Carolina H 3668
Introduced: 02/17/2015
Sponsor: Representative Mike Pitts, Member, South Carolina Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus; Past President, National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses Executive Council
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Provides that all persons must wear a hat, coat, or vest of solid visible international orange while on wildlife management area lands during deer hunting season.
Status: To House Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs on February 17
Tennessee H 239
Introduced: 02/03/2015
Sponsor: Representative Kelly Keisling
Issue Brief: Outdoor Sporting Tax Holiday
Summary: Relates to tax exemptions and credits; creates a Second Amendment sales tax holiday for the first weekend of September of each year; exempts firearms, ammunition and hunting supplies.
Status: In House Committee on Finance, Ways and Means: referred to Subcommittee on Finance, Ways and Means on February 11
Tennessee H 492
Introduced: 02/10/2015
Sponsor: Representative John Holsclaw
Issue Brief: Seniors; Veterans
Summary: Relates to Veterans; expands eligibility for sport hunting and fishing licenses without payment of a fee to all persons with a service-connected disability instead of only those persons having a service-connected disability of 30 percent or more that was acquired during war.
Status: Introduced on February 10
Tennessee H 611
Introduced: 02/10/2015
Sponsor: Representative Ron Travis
Issue Brief: Hunting Dogs
Summary: Relates to Animal Control; authorizes private property owners to eradicate wild hogs year-round in Bledsoe and White counties by any means necessary, except by the use of dogs during seasons designated for deer hunting in such counties.
Status: Introduced on February 10
Tennessee H 1059
Introduced: 02/12/2015
Sponsor: Representative James Van Huss
Issue Brief: Outdoor Sporting Tax Holiday
Summary: Relates to tax exemptions and credits; creates a Second Amendment tax-free weekend for sales of firearms, firearms ammunition, and firearms accessories made during the same time as the annual sales tax holiday.
Status: Introduced on February 12
Tennessee S 203
Introduced: 01/28/2015
Sponsor: Senator Rusty Crowe
Issue Brief: Seniors; Veterans
Summary: Relates to Veterans; expands eligibility for sport hunting and fishing licenses without payment of a fee to all persons with a service-connected disability instead of only those persons having a service-connected disability of 30 percent or more that was acquired during war.
Status: To Senate Committee on Energy, Agriculture, and Natural Resources on February 11
Tennessee S 206
Introduced: 01/29/2015
Sponsor: Senator Frank Niceley
Issue Brief: Outdoor Sporting Tax Holiday
Summary: Relates to tax exemptions and credits; creates a Second Amendment sales tax holiday for the first weekend of September of each year; exempts firearms, ammunition and hunting supplies.
Status: To Senate Committee on Finance, Ways and Means on February 11
Tennessee S 778
Introduced: 02/11/2015
Sponsor: Senator Mae Beavers
Issue Brief: Outdoor Sporting Tax Holiday
Summary: Relates to tax exemptions and credits; creates a Second Amendment tax-free weekend for sales of firearms, firearms ammunition, and firearms accessories made during the same time as the annual sales tax holiday.
Status: Introduced on February 11
Tennessee S 963
Introduced: 02/12/2015
Sponsor: Senator Mike Bell, Co-Chair, Tennessee Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
Issue Brief: Outdoor Gear Sales Tax
Summary: Relates to Gasoline Taxes; relates to Petroleum Products; requires that all proceeds of the gasoline tax collected from the sale of fuel to or by owners and operators of boats, marinas, yacht clubs, and boat docks be used solely for the operation, maintenance, and improvement of public waterways and boating facilities.
Status: Introduced on February 12
Tennessee S 1056
Introduced: 02/12/2015
Sponsor: Senator Mark Green
Issue Brief: Seniors; Veterans
Summary: Relates to Licenses; authorizes combat veterans, police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians who reside out of state and who are 50 percent service connected disabled to receive a sport hunting and fishing license upon payment of an annual $10.00 fee.
Status: Introduced on February 12
Tennessee S 1099
Introduced: 02/12/2015
Sponsor: Senator Paul Bailey
Issue Brief: No-Net-Loss
Summary: Relates to Game and Fish Laws; requires the Tennessee wildlife resources agency to post the annual report of estimated acreage closed, opened, and added on its web site.
Status: Introduced on February 12
Tennessee S 1237
Introduced: 02/12/2015
Sponsor: Senator Mike Bell, Co-Chair, Tennessee Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
Issue Brief: Apprentice Hunting License
Summary: Relates to Game and Fish Laws; increases, from one to three, the number of consecutive years that a person may purchase annual permits to exempt themselves from hunter education requirements.
Status: Introduced on February 12
Tennessee S 1238
Introduced: 02/12/2015
Sponsor: Senator Mike Bell, Co-Chair, Tennessee Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
Issue Brief: General License
Summary: Relates to Game and Fish Laws; establishes extended hunting and fishing seasons for persons who possess valid combination hunting and fishing licenses upon the payment of a fee; proceeds from the payment of the fee are to be expended to support nonprofit volunteer fire departments in this state.
Status: Introduced on February 12
West Virginia H 2144
Introduced: 01/20/2015
Sponsor: Delegate Bill Hamilton
Issue Brief: Crossbows
Summary: Permits crossbow hunting.
Status: To Senate Committee on Judiciary on February 11
West Virginia H 2751
Introduced: 02/13/2015
Sponsor: Delegate Joshua Nelson
Issue Brief: Sunday Hunting
Summary: Allows hunting and trapping on private lands throughout the state on Sundays.
Status: To House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on February 13
West Virginia HCR 61
Introduced: 02/13/2015
Sponsor: Delegate Joshua Nelson
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Requests Division of Natural Resources reintroduce Elk to southern West Virginia.
Status: To House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on February 13
West Virginia HJR 22
Introduced: 02/16/2015
Sponsor: Delegate Bill Hamilton
Issue Brief: Right to Hunt and Fish
Summary: Concerns the Right to Hunt, Fish, and Harvest Wildlife Amendment.
Status: To House Committee on Judiciary on February 16
West Virginia S 146
Introduced: 01/14/2015
Sponsor: Senator Herb Snyder
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Authorizes Division of Natural Resources to promulgate legislative rule relating to defining terms used in hunting and trapping rules.
Status: Reported in Committee: Substituted for Senate bill No. 170 on February 18
West Virginia S 147
Introduced: 01/14/2015
Sponsor: Senator Herb Snyder
Issue Brief: General License
Summary: Authorizes Division of Natural Resources to promulgate legislative rule relating to hunting, trapping and fishing license and stamp fees.
Status: Senate Committee on Judiciary on February 11
West Virginia S 237
Introduced: 01/16/2015
Sponsor: Senator Daniel Hall
Issue Brief: High Fence
Summary: Creates the Captive Cervid Farming Act; regulates captive cervid farming as an agricultural business; provides for sale of venison, licensing, inspection of facilities and penalties for noncompliance.
Status: Eligible for Governor’s desk on February 13
West Virginia S 278
Introduced: 01/21/2015
Sponsor: Senator Robert Karnes
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to lawful and unlawful methods of hunting.
Status: To Senate Committee on Judiciary on February 17
UPPER MIDWESTERN STATES
Iowa H 254
Introduced: 02/16/2015
Sponsor: Representative Marti Anderson, Member, Iowa Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
Issue Brief: Seniors; Veterans
Summary: Provides that an Iowa resident who is or will turn 65 years of age or older is eligible to apply for and obtain a lifetime hunting license; provides that the person may apply for the lifetime license beginning on the first day of the first month of the calendar year in which the person will attain the age of 65; provides that the fee for a lifetime license subsection 1, paragraph k is $50.50.
Status: To House Committee on Natural Resources on February 16
Iowa SSB 1189
Introduced: 02/17/2015
Author: Senate Natural Resources and Environment Committee
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to the control of disease in wildlife; provides that if the Natural Resource Commission finds that action is necessary to prevent or control the spread of disease in wildlife or in a particular species of wildlife, the commission may adopt rules that change hunting seasons, areas, and limits; establishes disease management zones; authorizes the issuance of free licenses; allows hunting with a firearm from a motor vehicle by designated persons;
Status: In Senate Committee on Natural Resouces and Environment on February 18
Indiana H 1453
Introduced: 01/14/2015
Sponsor: Representative Sean Eberhart, Member, Indiana Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
Issue Brief: High Fence
Summary: Provides for the licensing and operation of hunting preserves on which farm raised and released cervidae and game birds are hunted; establishes licensing requirements, inspection requirements, and fees; exempts licensed hunting preserves from the licensing requirements for game breeders and shooting preserves; provides that hunters on hunting preserves are not required to have a hunting license and are not subject to bag limits; requires that a transportation tag be purchased and fixed to the leg of each.
Status: Ordered engrossed on February 16
Michigan HJR 8
Introduced: 02/17/2015
Sponsor: Representative Bruce Rendon, Member, Michigan Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
Issue Brief: Right to Hunt and Fish
Summary: Provides for constitutional right to hunt, trap, and fish.
Status: To House Committee on Natural Resources on February 17
Michigan S 54
Introduced: 01/28/2015
Sponsor: Senator Tom Casperson, Member, Michigan Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Prohibits use of unmanned aerial vehicles to interfere with or harass another individual who is hunting.
Status: To House Committee on Tourism and Outdoor Recreation on February 17
Michigan S 55
Introduced: 01/28/2015
Sponsor: Senator Phil Pavlov, Member, Michigan Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Prohibits use of unmanned aerial vehicles for taking game.
Status: To House Committee on Tourism and Outdoor Recreation on February 17
Minnesota H 814
Introduced: 02/12/2015
Sponsor: Representative David Dill, Member, Minnesota Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
Issue Brief: Ammunition; Hunter Education
Summary: Relates to game and fish; requires firearms safety training to include information regarding the use of alternative ammunition.
Status: To House Committee on Mining and Outdoor Recreation Policy on February 12
Minnesota H 961
Introduced: 02/16/2015
Sponsor: Representative David Dill, Member, Minnesota Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
Issue Brief: Seniors; Veterans
Summary: Relates to game and fish; allows residents of Minnesota veterans homes to take antlerless deer without permit.
Status: To House Committee on Veterans Affairs Division on February 16
Minnesota S 722
Introduced: 02/11/2015
Sponsor: Senator Bill Ingebrigtsen, Member, Minnesota Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
Issue Brief: Recruitment; Seniors; Veterans
Summary: Relates to game and fish; allows persons age 60 or over to use muzzleloader with scope during muzzleloader season.
Status: To Senate Committee on Environment and Energy on February 12
North Dakota H 1197
Introduced: 01/12/2015
Sponsor: Representative Alvin Hofstad
Issue Brief: Access to Private Lands
Summary: Provides for a prohibition on the purchase of conservation easements with public funds.
Status: Passed House. To Senate on February 12
North Dakota H 1409
Introduced: 01/19/2015
Sponsor: Representative Todd Porter, Co-Chair, North Dakota Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
Issue Brief: Conservation Funding
Summary: Relates to the funding and purposes of the outdoor heritage fund; provides an effective date.
Status: Committee amendment adopted on House floor on February 17
South Dakota H 1192
Introduced: 01/30/2015
Sponsor: House Appropriations Committee
Issue Brief: Budget Bills
Summary: Makes an appropriation for the protection and enhancement of wildlife habitat; provides for a grant to the conservation fund; provides for matching funds.
Status: To Senate Committee on Appropriations on February 11
Illinois H 346
Introduced: 01/28/2015
Sponsor: Representative David Reis, Member, Illinois Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
Issue Brief: Guns
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 deer.
Status: To House Committee on Judiciary – Criminal, on February 13
Illinois H 352
Introduced: 01/28/2015
Sponsor: Representative Patrick Verschoore, Member, Illinois Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Amends the Wildlife Code; removes the prohibition on taking bobcats in the State; provides that it shall be unlawful for any person to trap or to hunt bobcats with gun, dog, dog and gun, or bow and arrow, except during the open season which will be set annually by the Director of Natural Resources between 12:01 a.m., November 1 to 12:00 midnight, February 15, both inclusive; provides that the season limit for bobcat shall not exceed one bobcat per permit; provides that the pelts of bobcats shall be tagged.
Status: To House Committee on Agriculture and Conservation on February 13
Illinois H 433
Introduced: 01/29/2015
Sponsor: Representative Brandon Phelps, Member, Illinois Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus; Member, National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses Executive Council
Issue Brief: Sound Suppressors
Summary: Amends the Wildlife Code; removes a 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; provides that no person shall, carry, possess, transport or use a silencer, suppressor or other device to muffle or mute the sound of the explosion or report resulting from the firing of any gun for the taking of game, unless such silencer, suppressor, or device is in compliance with the National Firearms Act.
Status: To House Committee on Judiciary – Criminal on February 13
Kansas H 2341
Introduced: 02/12/2015
Sponsor: House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to prioritizing options for disposal of seized wildlife.
Status: To House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on February 14
Missouri H 955
Introduced: 02/12/2015
Sponsor: Representative Robert Ross
Issue Brief: Angling Access
Summary: Changes the laws regarding natural resources.
Status: Introduced on February 12
Oklahoma H 1652
Introduced: 02/02/2015
Sponsor: Representative Steve Vaughan, Member, Oklahoma Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
Issue Brief: General License
Summary: Relates to game and fish; relates to hunting licenses; changes effective date of the annual archery hunting license for deer for nonresidents; declares an emergency.
Status: To House Committee on Wildlife: Do pass on February 12
Texas H 118
Introduced: 01/13/2015
Sponsor: Representative Dan Flynn, Member, Texas Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
Issue Brief: Seniors; Veterans
Summary: Relates to a fee waiver for a combination resident hunting and fishing license for certain military personnel.
Status: To House Committee on Culture, Recreation, and Tourism on February 11
Alaska H 41
Introduced: 01/20/2015
Sponsor: Representative Cathy Tilton
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to sport fishing services, sport fishing operators, and sport fishing guides; provides for an effective date.
Status: Substitute bill to House Committee on Finance on February 13
Alaska S 48
Introduced: 02/11/2015
Sponsor: Senator Bert Stedman
Issue Brief: General License
Summary: Relates to a reduced fee for a nonresident hunting or sport fishing license and a big game tag for qualifying former state residents; relates to the requirements for a nonresident hunting or sport fishing license.
Status: To Senate Committee on Finance on February 11
Hawaii H 50
Introduced: 01/21/2015
Sponsor: Representative Ken Ito
Issue Brief: Range Protection
Summary:Provides for shooting range exemptions regarding retroactive regulation, civil and criminal noise or nuisance violations, and frivolous negligence claims.
Status: To House Committee on Judiciary on February 13
Hawaii H 511
Introduced: 01/23/2015
Sponsor: Representative Cindy Evans
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Prohibits the harassment of persons marine fishing and aquarium fishing; specifically includes the enforcement of harassment as a duty of a conservation and resources enforcement officer.
Status: In House Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, and Hawaiian Affairs: Voted do pass with amendment on February 12
Hawaii H 837
Introduced: 01/26/2015
Sponsor: Representative Karl Rhoads
Issue Brief: Ivory
Summary: Prohibits ivory and rhinoceros horn sales and trade within the State, to be enforced by the Department of Land and Natural Resources; establishes penalties.
Status: To House Committee on Judiciary on February 17
Hawaii H 1041
Introduced: 01/27/2015
Sponsor: Representative Richard Onishi
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Establishes a game commission to serve in an advisory capacity to the Governor and the Board of Land and Natural Resources; makes an appropriation.
Status: To House Committee on Judiciary on February 12
Idaho S 1031
Introduced: 02/03/2015
Sponsor: Senate Resources and Environment Committee
Issue Brief: General License; Seniors; Veterans
Summary: Amends existing law; revises residency requirements; relates to senior resident combination licenses.
Status: Passed Senate. To House on February 17
Nevada A 136
Introduced: 02/11/2015
Sponsor: Assemblyman John Ellison
Issue Brief: Hunter Education
Summary: Makes various changes relating to wildlife.
Status: To Assembly Committee on Natural Resources, Agriculture and Mining on February 11
Nevada BDR 1001
Introduced: 02/10/2015
Sponsor: Senator Scott Hammond, Co-Chair, Nevada Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
Issue Brief: Right to Hunt and Fish
Summary: Proposes to amend the State Constitution to preserve the right to hunt, fish and trap in this State.
Status: Filed on February 10
Oregon H 2050
Introduced: 02/02/2015
Sponsor: Representative Wayne Krieger, Co-Chair, Oregon Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
Issue Brief: Hunting Dogs
Summary: Provides that county is exempt from applicability of statute banning use of dogs to hunt or pursue cougars if voters approve county measure proposed by initiative petition or referred to people by governing body of county.
Status: Public hearing held on February 17
Oregon H 3012
Introduced: 02/13/2015
Sponsor: Representative Wayne Krieger, Co-Chair, Oregon Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Establishes Oregon Hatchery Research Center Fund; requires moneys in fund to be used for research projects by Oregon Hatchery Research Center; requires unexpended and unobligated balance in Oregon Hatchery Research Center Fund as of July 1 of each year to be transferred to Hatchery Construction Fund; establishes Hatchery Construction Fund; designates uses of fund; sunsets January 2, 2026; establishes surcharge on angling licenses and additional commercial ad valorem catch fee on salmon and steelhead.
Status: Introduced on February 13
Washington H 1346
Introduced: 01/16/2015
Sponsor: Representative Brian Blake
Issue Brief: Access to Private Lands
Summary: Allows additional hunting opportunities on state land.
Status: To House Committee on General Government and Information Technology on February 13
Washington H 1838
Introduced: 01/29/2015
Sponsor: Representative Drew MacEvan
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Concerns the baiting of black bears
Status: From House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources: Do pass as substituted on February 17
Washington H 2107
Introduced: 02/11/2015
Sponsor: Representative Joel Kretz
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Requires the department of fish and wildlife to update the 2011 wolf conservation and management plan to ensure the establishment of a self-sustaining population of gray wolves while also ensuring social tolerance of wolf recovery.
Status: Hearing held in House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on February 18
Washington S 5938
Introduced: 02/11/2015
Sponsor: Senator Brian Dansel
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Provides for the partial delisting of gray wolf by the Fish and Wildlife Commission.
Status: Hearing held in Senate Natural Resources and Parks Committee on February 18
Washington S 5940
Introduced: 02/11/2015
Sponsor: Senator Brian Dansel
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Concerns a pilot program for cougar control.
Status: Hearing held in Senate Natural Resources and Parks Committee on February 18
Washington SJM 8007
Introduced: 01/22/2015
Sponsor: Senator Kirk Pearson
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Requests Congress to provide the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration fisheries with sufficient resources to expedite review of Puget Sound hatchery and genetic management plans and that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration fisheries prioritize and conduct immediate review and approval of these plans.
Status: From Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Parks: Do pass as substituted on February 12
WESTERN STATES
Arizona H 2632
Introduced: 02/09/2015
Sponsor: Representative Jay Lawrence
Issue Brief: Dog Tethering
Summary: Relates to dog tethering
Status: From House Committee on Judiciary: Do pass with amendment: Strike Everything, on February 18
Montana H 146
Introduced: 01/05/2015
Sponsor: Representative Kelly Flynn
Issue Brief: General License
Summary: Revises the distribution of block management funding; relates to fish and wildlife; relates to state revenue.
Status: To Senate Committee on Fish and Game on February 14
Montana H 212
Introduced: 01/13/2015
Sponsor: Representative Kirk Wagoner
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Reaffirms that trapping is a form of hunting protected under the state Constitution; relates to fish and wildlife.
Status: From Senate Committee on Fish and Game: do pass, on February 17
Montana H 250
Introduced: 01/19/2015
Sponsor: Representative Kirk Wagoner
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Clarifies that use of suppressed firearms to hunt certain wildlife is allowed under certain conditions; relates to guns and weapons.
Status: From Senate Committee on Fish and Game: do pass, on February 17
Montana H 352
Introduced: 01/29/2015
Sponsor: Representative Tom Jacobson
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Prohibits outfitting on state lands inaccessible to public; relates to property; relates to recreation, parks, sports; relates to state revenue; relates to rule making; relates to state lands.
Status: Tabled on February 13
Montana H 432
Introduced: 02/06/2015
Sponsor: Representative Tom Jacobson
Issue Brief: General License
Summary: Revises nonresident hunting license laws re: Come Home to Hunt; relates to fish and wildlife; relates to state revenue.
Status: Withdrawn from Committee per House Rule: H30-50(3)(b) on February 17
New Mexico S 231
Introduced: 01/26/2015
Sponsor: Senator Benny Shendo
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to game and fish; provides for the state game commission to adopt rules regarding outdoor recreation and wildlife volunteers.
Status: From Senate Commitee on Conservation: do pass, on February 18
New Mexico H 235
Introduced: 01/28/2015
Sponsor: Representative Paul Bandy
Issue Brief: Access to Private Lands; Angling Access
Summary: Relates to public waters; amends and enacts sections of chapter 17 NMSA 1978; defines the scope of easement created by constitutional provisions regarding ownership of public waters, beneficial use of public waters and the right to acquire, own and protect private property; provides for lawful recreational access to public waters; provides for injunctive relief.
Status: From House Committee on Agriculture, Water and Wildlife: With substitute without recommendation on February 16
New Mexico H 291
Introduced: 02/03/2015
Sponsor: Representative Yvette Herrell
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to public lands; creates the New Mexico Federal Land Management Study Commission; makes an appropriation.
Status: From House Committee on Agriculture, Water and Wildlife: Do pass as amended on February 12
New Mexico H 426
Introduced: 02/12/2015
Sponsor: Representative Roberto Gonzales
Issue Brief: Anti; Trapping
Summary: Relates to wildlife; enacts the New Mexico Wildlife Protection and Public Safety Act; provides for restrictions on the use of traps and poisons.
Status: To House Committee on Judiciary on February 12
New Mexico S 253
Introduced: 01/26/2015
Sponsor: Senator Mark Moores
Issue Brief: Anti
Summary: Relates to animals; prohibits coyote-killing contests; defines coyote-killing contest; provides penalties.
Status: To House Committee on Judiciary on February 18
Wyoming H 135
Introduced: 01/19/2015
Sponsor: Representative Theodore Blackburn
Issue Brief: General License
Summary: Provides for resident lifetime archery licenses under hunting provisions; provides for fees; provides for nonresidents; requires verification of residency.
Status: Passed Senate on February 18
Wyoming S 56
Introduced: 01/13/2015
Sponsor: Senate Select Committee on Federal Natural Resource Management
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Relates to public lands; provides that the Office of State Lands and Investments shall commission a study and provide a report addressing the management of specified federally administered public lands in the State by the State that includes an economic analysis regarding the costs of such land management and the revenue to pay such costs, the management of designated wilderness areas, national conservation areas or land; authorizes contracting out to engage the services needed for the study.
Status: To House Committee on Minerals, Business, and Economic Development on February 6
Information re-posted from email from National Sportsmen’s Foundation
