Washington, D.C.
- White House and staffers of the House Judiciary Committee to meet early February to examine federal laws to keep guns out of the hands of the mentally ill.
- HR 58 (Steve Scalise, LA) Firearms Interstate Commerce Reform Act, removes certain Federal restrictions on interstate firearms transactions.
- HR 227 (Sheila Jackson Lee, TX) Child Safety and Gun Access Prevention Act replaces juvenile with “individual under 21,”enhances penalty for the use or transfer of firearm to youth.
- S 176 (Barbara Boxer, CA) establishes minimum standards for States that allow the carrying of concealed firearms.
- HR 140 (Steve King, IA) Birthright Citizenship Act of 2011 establishes that only a child born of a parent who is a U.S. citizen, a lawfully resident alien, or an alien performing active service in the armed forces may be given American citizenship.
- HR 96 (Marsha Blackburn, TN) prohibits the Federal Communications Commission from further regulating the Internet
- HJ 22 IH, Preserving Capitalism in America (Michael Turner, VA), proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to prohibit the United States from owning stock in corporations. (house joint resolution)
- HJ Res.2 (Bob Goodlatte, VA )proposes a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the U.S.
- HR 339 (Lynn Jenkins, KS) End the Lame Duck Act
- HR 206 (Randy Neugebauer, TX) amends the Internal Revenue Service code of 1986 to prevent pending tax increases and for other purposes.
- Several bills to revoke or limit ObamaCare, among which HR 144 (Daniel Lungren, CA) to eliminate reporting requirements of $600 or more; HR 21 (Scott Garrett, NJ) repeals the mandate that individuals purchase health insurance, HR 2 (Eric Cantor, VA) to repeal ObamaCare
California
- AB 161 extends it to a misdemeanor the unlawful trespass on the property to a juvenile who has been previously condemned of a crime into said property if refuses to leave the property after he is notified by landowners that is not welcome through a police officer. Current law makes it a misdemeanor only for adults.
- AB 144 makes it an offense to openly carry an unloaded handgun in public places, and it makes it lawful to transport a concealed weapon.
Colorado
- HB 1146 concerns a requirement that a residence be integral to an agricultural operation in determining whether two acres or less associated with the residence satisfies the definition of agricultural land for property taxes purposes.
- HB 1029 states that a person commits cruelty to animals if he or she intentionally, for the purpose of entertainment, sport, or contest, drags a bovine by its tail or lassos or ropes the legs of an equine.
- HB 1066 reinforces a property owner’s right to procedural due process in eminent domain proceedings. Specifically, the bill prohibits governmental takings of livestock, airspace, or water rights without due process of law. The bill also reinforces the requirement that a person with eminent domain powers must follow the applicable court procedures required by statute in such instances.
Connecticut
- HB 5342 Prevents animals from being awarded as prizes at games of chance, carnivals and fairs.
Florida
- S 470 Cites this act as the “Officer Jose Somohano Assault Weapons Act.” Provides that a person commits a felony of the third degree if he or she stores or leaves an assault weapon within the reach or easy access of another person if that person obtains the weapon and uses it to inflict injury or death. Provides criminal penalties.
- S616 Proposes an amendment to the State Constitution to limit the maximum amount of ad valorem taxes that may be collected on a parcel of real property.
Hawaii
- SB 1367 finds that restrictions should be removed on the hunting of wild ungulates to allow for greater control of ungulate populations.
- HB 579/SB 733 prohibits the use of body crushing traps, snares, and non-padded or non-laminated foot or leg hold traps, regulate the use of snares and foot or leg-hold traps to avoid animal cruelty, and establish penalties for violations.
- HB 108/SB 1069 Establishes the offense of cruelty to animals by fighting dogs in the second degree. Increases penalty for cruelty to animals by fighting dogs in the first degree. Excludes dogs for hunting and working livestock.
Indiana
- SB 17 Makes it a Class C misdemeanor to knowingly or intentionally release an exotic or wild animal into the wild without legal authorization or a permit issued by the department of natural resources, and provides that the fine for
unlawfully releasing an exotic or wild animal is at least $500 and not more than $2,500.
HB 1299 allows hunting within high fences until 2018 and to release animals within high fences until 2016. A person who operates a licensed game hunting facilities must follow certain requirements,
Kentucky
- HB 113 Establishes a constitutional right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife.
New Jersey
- S2379/A3497 Requires certain issue advocacy groups to register with Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) and disclose contributions and independent expenditure information.
- A473 Increases penalty for animal cruelty
- A1817/S2253 Prohibits persons violating Animal Cruelty law from owning, keeping, or harboring animals; requires DHSS establish and maintain website list of such persons. (Filed also last session)
New Mexico
- HB 12 states that a landowner owes no duty of care to keep the property safe for entry or use by a person or group for recreational purposes or to give any warning of a dangerous condition, use, structure or activity on the property to a person or group entering for recreational purposes.
- HB 80 Merges the Dept. of Game and Fish with the Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Dept. and transferring the duties of the Game and Fish Dept. to the Game and Fish Division of the Energy Dept. including duties about regulations of wild and exotic animals.
- HB 73 Allows a landowner, lessee or any other person to take or kill a predator that presents an immediate threat to human life, livestock (including farmed cervidae) or family pets, reporting the killing within twenty-four hours. A landowner or lessee also may request assistance from the department in remedying current damage or preventing reasonably anticipated damage to property caused by ungulates.
New York
Several animal cruelty bills have been filed, among which
- A 1835 re-codifies animal cruelty laws from the agricultural code to the penal code
- A 2118 extends animal cruelty to farm animals. The bill requires that farmed animals be raised and bred under humane treatment standards and have enough room to move during the majority of the day, food, medical care, and other obligations. Fine is up to $1,000 and imprisonment up to 6 months. 12 other bills on animal cruelty have been filed in the Assembly.
- AB 1479 changes the definition of “assault weapon” by classifying semiautomatic shotguns that have a thumbhole stock or a pistol grip as assault weapons.
North Dakota
- SB 2332 Requires a person hunting in a game preserve not to have a hunting license. A killed animal must be accompanied by a manifest/bill of sale. Requires reasonable cover for the fenced animal to elude the hunter. Game preserve must pay annual fee of $300 to the Dept. of Health. Defines cervidae livestock operations as a form of agriculture. Game hunting preserves must be of 160 acres minimum.
- SB 2352 – (Sens. Oehlke, Cook, Nelson; Reps. Delzer, D. Johnson) – Prohibits a person from hunting through the Internet; hosting a hunt through the Internet;
- SB 2227 – (Sens. Wanzek, Klein, Warner; Reps. Brandenburg, DeKrey, Weisz) – Authorizes individuals with valid antlerless deer licenses to take deer on private lands determined by the Game and Fish director to be severely impacted by deer. The director may authorize this from December 1 through March 15. Also provides for construction cost-share assistance for deer proof hay yards. SNRC recommended do-not-pass 5-2.
- HB 1209 – (Rep. DeKrey) – The definition of firearm or weapon does not include muzzleloader.
- HB 1180 – (Reps. Drovdal, Schatz; Sen. Nodland) – Landowner preferential elk licenses will be issued by weighted lottery if the number of applicants exceeds the number of licenses available. Landowner preferential elk licenses are established by Governor’s proclamation. HENRC recommended do-pass 12-0. Passed House 90-0.
- HB 1393 – (Reps. Kilichowski, Porter, Hanson; Sens. Lyson, Uglem, Schneider) – Establishes that a crossbow is considered a legal weapon that may be used during the duration of any gun hunting season. HENRC heard 2/3.
Utah
- HB 210 Removes pests from definition of animal and provides that “torture” does not include shooting an animal with the intent to humanely kill the animal; provides a defense to prosecution for animal cruelty if an actor shoots an animal to protect human life. The author of this bill, Rep. Curtis Oda, has received several death threats via email for filing HB 210.
- SB36 Requires a nonresident applicant for a concealed firearm permit to hold a current concealed firearm or concealed weapon permit from the applicant’s state of residency that recognizes the validity of the Utah permit in that state or has reciprocity with the Utah concealed firearm permit law; and requires a nonresident applicant to pay an additional $5 processing fee for issuance of the permit. (Current law allows nonresidents to obtain a Utah CHL, causing other states to not recognize Utah CHL for retaliation.)
Texas
- HB 334 Establishes the Texas Livestock Care Standards Advisory Committee composed of 15 members, among whom two representatives of state-wide ag organizations, three family ranchers, a local humane society representative, a food safety expert, and two veterinarians. The bill is not expected to move.
- HB 323 includes pets and other companion animals in protective orders; providing a penalty.
- SB18/SB 180/HB 279 relates to the use of eminent domain authority
- SB174 Prohibits eminent domain for recreational purposes
- SB 148 Limits eminent domain use for certain groundwater districts
- HB 134 relates to the acquisition and compensation of private property through eminent domain for public purposes
- HB 86/SB 354 allows concealed handgun carry on campus of institutions of higher education
- HB 681/SB321 allows employees to store a firearm in the vehicle in the employer’s parking lot.
- HJR 37 amends our Texas Constitution to say that a 2/3 vote of the Legislature is required before the state could raise taxes or create a new tax. Fifteen states have similar protections
- 23 groundwater bills have been filed (that we are tracking) SB332 establishes groundwater ownership to the landowner
- SB 667 gives ownership of groundwater to the state and citizenry
- SB 252 Relates to the review, notice, and hearing requirements associated with certain deer permits.
- HB 716 allows shooting of feral hogs from a helicopter (filed also in 2009)
- HB 1201/SB 565 repeal the Texas Trans Corridor
- HB 1546 regulates dangerous wild animals giving the right of anyone to sue an owner of wild animals even if he does not feel threatened.
- SB 479 limiting liability of certain persons for farm animals in show
- SB 478 to protect stray bison
- SB449 TNC bill on water stewardship/ag valuation
Vermont
- H 89 bans the hunting of black bears and dogs
Virginia
- HB 1716 allows owners of commercial ag operations to notify authorities of the damage caused by bear or deer and authorizes the killing of the bear or deer.