Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation
Updates for the week of
NORTHEASTERN STATES
Maine H 449
Introduced: 02/27/2015
Sponsor: Representative Robert Duchesne
Issue Brief: General
Summary: This bill directs the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to establish a comprehensive marketing program for the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife that is led and coordinated by a dedicated marketing specialist, whose position is required to be created within the department’s Division of Public Information and Education.
Status: Work Session held on May 21
Maine H 479
Introduced: 03/04/2015
Sponsor: Representative Karleton Ward, Member, Maine Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
Issue Brief: Right to Hunt and Fish
Summary: Proposes to amend the Constitution of Maine to provide that the citizens of Maine have the personal right to hunt, fish and harvest wildlife, subject to laws and rules that promote wildlife conservation and preserve the future of hunting and fishing, and to provide that public hunting, fishing and harvesting wildlife are a preferred means of managing and controlling wildlife.
Status: Work Session held on May 21
Maine H 506
Introduced: 03/04/2015
Sponsor: Representative Stephen Wood, Co-Chair, Maine Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
Issue Brief: Right to Hunt and Fish
Summary: Proposes to amend the Constitution of Maine to provide that the right of the people of this State to hunt, fish and harvest game and fish, including by the use of traditional methods, may not be infringed, subject to reasonable laws and rules to promote wildlife conservation and management, to maintain natural resources in trust for public use and to preserve the future of hunting and fishing. It also provides that public hunting and fishing are a preferred means of managing and controlling wild …
Status: Work Session held on May 21
Maine H 526
Introduced: 03/05/2015
Sponsor: Representative Jeffrey Pierce
Issue Brief: Angling Access
Summary: This bill gives the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the Commissioner of Marine Resources the authority to issue a permit to a person to construct a fishway or a passageway through a beaver dam for the passage of anadromous fish.
Status: In Senate. Placed in Legislative File (DEAD) on May 26
Maine H 844
Introduced: 04/02/2015
Sponsor: Representative Michael Shaw, Co-Chair, Maine Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
Issue Brief: General License
Summary: This bill expands the current resident hunting license and nonresident hunting license to encompass and replace all other hunting licenses and hunting permits except the: 1. Junior hunting license; 2. Resident and nonresident apprentice hunting licenses; 3. Antlerless deer and special deer season permits; 4. Moose permit; 5. Pheasant permit; 6. Waterfowl permit; 7. Falconry permit; and 8. Migratory bird permit. It increases the fee for a resident and a nonresident hunting license from $25 to $38.
Status: Work Session held on May 21
Maine S 279
Introduced: 03/06/2015
Sponsor: Senator Tom Saviello, Co-Chair, Maine Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Eliminates wild turkey permit requirements; makes the holder of a small game license also eligible to hold a wild turkey permit; directs the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to establish a November wild turkey hunting season that is in addition to the current fall wild turkey hunting season in October.
Status: In House. Placed on Consent Calendar on May 26
Maine S 423
Introduced: 04/01/2015
Sponsor: Senator Paul Davis, Member, Maine Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
Issue Brief: General License
Summary: This bill makes the following changes to the laws governing fish and wildlife. 1. It eliminates the disabled hunter, trapper and angler advisory committee and a reference to that committee. 2. It provides that a person must hold a valid archery hunting license to hunt with a hand-held bow and arrow during any open season on a bird or animal and that a person must hold a valid big game archery license or big game hunting license and a valid crossbow hunting license to hunt with a crossbow during any …
Status: Work Session held on May 26
New Hampshire H 336
Introduced: 01/08/2015
Sponsor: Representative James Webb, Member, New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
Issue Brief: Crossbows
Summary: Allows the executive director of Fish and Game to adopt rules for taking black bear by crossbow and for taking game animals and game birds during the regular firearms season for the species.
Status: Order Enrolled on May 21
SOUTHEASTERN STATES
Alabama H 130
Introduced: 03/05/2015
Sponsor: Representative Tim Wadsworth
Issue Brief: Seniors; Veterans
Summary: Provides for the annual issuance of hunting licenses to persons with disabilities for a reduced license fee; requires fishing licenses to be issued annually to persons with disabilities and to charge a reduced annual license fee; establishes that an annual resident hunting or freshwater fishing license for a person with a disability shall entitle the license holder to all of the privileges of the wildlife heritage license; relates to any person who is totally and permanently disabled and receiving benefits.
Status: From Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry: Reported favorably on May 26
Alabama H 468
Introduced: 05/12/2015
Sponsor: Senator Jabbo Waggoner
Issue Brief: Dog Tethering
Summary: Establishes prohibitions, restrictions, and limitations regarding the chaining, tethering, and confinement of dogs; provides a definition of adequate outdoor shelter for dogs; establishes penalties for violations.
Status: From Senate Committee on Judiciary: Reported favorably with amendment on May 21
North Carolina H 640
Introduced: 04/14/2015
Sponsor: Representative Jimmy Dixon, Member, North Carolina Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
Issue Brief: Sunday Hunting
Summary:Preserves North Carolina’s outdoor heritage for future generations and amends various Wildlife Resources Commission laws; provides for the expansion of opportunities for persons age 16 and under to engage in outdoor recreational activities, including, but not limited to, hiking, horseback riding, boating, sport shooting and archery, bird watching and wildlife watching, camping, swimming, hunting, trapping, and fishing in order to pass on North Carolina’s outdoor heritage to future generations.
Status: Passed Senate. To House for concurrence on May 28
North Carolina S 513
Introduced: 03/26/2015
Sponsor: Senator Andrew Brock
Issue Brief: High Fence
Summary:Provides regulatory relief to the agricultural community by providing for various transportation and environmental reforms; revises the Horse Industry Promotion Act; increases caps on duration and amount of an assessment; establishes that the Council may conduct a referendum among horse owners upon the question of whether an assessment shall be levied; conforms compensation paid to an agricultural worker to federal wage withholding standards; modifies oversize vehicle permit restrictions.
Status: Re-referred to House Committee on Agriculture on May 27
South Carolina S 804
Introduced: 05/20/2015
Sponsor: Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Approves regulations of the Department of Natural resources, relates to wildlife management area regulations; turkey hunting rules and seasons; either-sex days and antlerless deer limits for private lands in game zones 1-6/.
Status: Placed on calendar without reference to Senate committee on May 20
UPPER MIDWESTERN STATES
Minnesota S 698
Introduced: 02/06/2015
Sponsor: Senator Kari Dziedzic
Issue Brief: Budget Bills
Summary: Relates to natural resources; appropriates money from environment and natural resources trust fund; modifies provisions for Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources; establishes that the commission shall recommend an annual or biennial legislative bill for appropriations from the environment and natural resources trust fund and shall adopt a strategic plan; ensures that the expenditures and outcomes for appropriations funded by the environment and natural resources trust fund are met.
Status: Signed by Governor. Filed with Secretary of State (Chapter No. 76) on May 22
Wisconsin AJR 28
Introduced: 04/22/2015
Sponsor: Representative Joel Kleefisch, Co-Chair, Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
Issue Brief: Conservation Funding
Summary: Commemorates the economic impacts of sportsmen and women in Wisconsin.
Status: Available for Scheduling on May 21
LOWER MIDWESTERN STATES
Illinois H 3674
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: In House. Motion filed to concur in Amendment No. 3 & 4. Motion referred to House Committee on Rules on May 22
Louisiana H 303
Introduced: 04/13/2015
Sponsor: Representative Jerry Gisclair, Member, Louisiana Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Provides relative to the method of determination of a stock assessment for black drum, sheepshead, and flounder.
Status: Passed Senate. To House for concurrence on May 21
Louisiana S 133
Introduced: 04/13/2015
Sponsor: Senator Barrow Peacock
Issue Brief: Enforcement
Summary: Provides criteria for parish governing authorities to consider when determining a heavily populated area within the unincorporated area of the parish for purposes of prohibiting, restricting, or regulating the shooting of firearms.
Status: Committee amendment adopted on House floor on May 26
Louisiana S 210
Introduced: 04/13/2015
Sponsor: Senator Neil Riser, Member, Louisiana Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
Issue Brief: Game Meat Donation
Summary: Provides for the administration and uses of monies in the Hunters for the Hungry Account.
Status: Committee amendment adopted on House floor on May 26
Louisiana S 212
Introduced: 04/13/2015
Sponsor: Senator Rick Ward
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Authorizes bowhunters to carry any caliber firearm on their person while hunting with a bow.
Status: Legislative Bureau amendments adopted on May 26
Missouri H 92
Introduced: 01/07/2015
Sponsor: Representative Rocky Miller
Issue Brief: Angling Access
Summary: Changes the definition of waters of the State by removing waters of the United States lying within the State from the definition.
Status: To Governor on May 27
Texas H 721
Introduced: 01/14/2015
Sponsor: Representative Joe Farias, Member, Texas Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
Issue Brief: Seniors; Veterans
Summary: Relates to the hunting or fishing license fee waiver for certain disabled veterans.
Status: To Governor on May 22
Texas H 1040
Introduced: 01/29/2015
Sponsor: Representative Chris Paddie, Member, Texas Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
Issue Brief: Seniors; Veterans
Summary: Relates to the liability of certain sports officials and organizations.
Status: To Governor on May 22
Texas S 1181
Introduced: 03/10/2015
Sponsor: Senator Don Huffines, Member, Texas Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
Issue Brief: General License
Summary: Relates to an interim study concerning this state’s noncommercial hunting and fishing license systems.
Status: Committee report sent to local and consent calendar on May 21
Texas S 1978
Introduced: 03/13/2015
Sponsor: Senator Ed Lucio, Member, Texas Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
Issue Brief: Game Meat Donation
Summary: Relates to a voluntary contribution to help feed hungry Texans when a person applies for a hunting license.
Status: Placed on Local, Consent, and Resolution Calendar on May 27
Texas SJR 22
Introduced: 03/13/2015
Sponsor: Senator Brandon Creighton, Member, Texas Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
Issue Brief: Right to Hunt and Fish
Summary: Proposes a constitutional amendment relating to the right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife.
Status: Filed with Secretary of State on May 21
PACIFIC-NORTHWESTERN STATES
Nevada S 163
Introduced: 02/16/2015
Sponsor: Senator Scott Hammond, Co-Chair, Nevada Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Creates the Advisory Council on Nevada Wildlife Conservation and Education.
Status: Passed Senate. To Assembly Committee on Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Mining on May 27
Oregon S 175
Introduced: 02/02/2015
Sponsor: Senator Brian Boquist, Member, Oregon Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
Issue Brief: Enforcement
Summary: Modifies certain penalties for wildlife law violations; declares emergency, effective on passage.
Status: From House Committee on Judiciary (Do Pass) on May 26
Oregon S 779
Introduced: 02/26/2015
Sponsor: Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
Issue Brief: General License; Seniors; Veterans
Summary: Requires State Department of Fish and Wildlife to study expanding application of laws that consider members of uniformed services residents for licensing purposes and present report to interim committees of Legislative Assembly related to environment and natural resources on or before September 15, 2016; sunsets January 2, 2016.
Status: Work Session held May 26
Oregon S 913
Introduced: 03/04/2015
Sponsor: Senate Judiciary Committee
Issue Brief: Ivory
Summary: Creates offense of trafficking in animal parts; provides that knowing purchase, sale, offering for sale, possession with intent to sell or importation for purchase or sale in this state of ivory, rhinoceros horn, ivory products or rhinoceros horn products is offense; creates exceptions; makes first offense punishable by a maximum number of days’ imprisonment and by maximum fine or twice fair market value of ivory, rhinoceros horn, ivory product or rhinoceros horn product, whichever is greater.
Status: Work session scheduled in House Judiciary Committee on June 1
WESTERN STATES
California S 234
Introduced: 02/13/2015
Sponsor: Senator Lois Wolk
Issue Brief: Budget Bills
Summary: Appropriates funds from the General Fund to the Department of Fish and Wildlife to make payments to counties for unpaid amounts when income is derived directly from real property acquired and operated by the state as a wildlife management area.
Status: Hearing to be held on May 28
California S 345
Introduced: 02/24/2015
Sponsor: Senator Tom Berryhill, Member, California Outdoor Sporting Caucus
Issue Brief: Angling Access; General License; Recruitment
Summary: Authorizes a charitable organization or nonprofit organization to possess fish taken under a sport fishing license in excess of a possession limit when such organizations were given the fish as donations an can provide documentation to that effect and the entities retain any tag required to be fixed to a fish in a prescribed manner. Authorizes the donor to possess fish under a license in excess of limits if the donor complies with the same requirements. Relates to junior licenses and one-day licenses.
Status: Hearing to be held on May 28
California S 499
Introduced: 02/23/2015
Sponsor: Assembly Member Ken Cooley, Member, California Outdoor Sporting Caucus
Issue Brief: General
Summary: Authorizes a person with a valid license to carry a firearm capable of being concealed on the person, consistent with the terms of that license, while engaged in the taking of deer with bow and arrow as long as he or she does not take or attempt to take deer with the firearm.
Status: Hearing to be held on June 9
Colorado S 226
Introduced: 03/20/2015
Sponsor: Senator Jerry Sonnenberg
Issue Brief: Apprentice Hunting License; Recruitment
Summary: Concerns the education requirements necessary to qualify for a license to take wildlife; requires a person to obtain a hunter education certificate in order to be issued a license to hunt in Colorado; requires the person to have a specified number of hours in a hunter education course; creates an apprentice program that allows a person who is at least 10 years of age to be issued a temporary certificate without hunter education if he or she is accompanied by a mentor who is at least 18 years of age.
Status: Session Law Chaptered (Chapter No. 220) on May 26
North AmericanGamebird Association
