Five states have bills in committee pertaining to everything from shooting ranges and suppressors to squirrel season and crossbows.
Arkansas
Arkansas’s Senate Bill 270, sponsored by Sen. Stephanie Flowers (D- Pine Bluff), would have required new shooting ranges being built to go through an approval process with local homeowners. If the homeowners in the area did not agree, the facility would move to the courts for approval. The bill also exempted shooting ranges approved by the Fish and Game Commission. SB 270 failed to pass the Senate with a vote of 17-7 against.
Florida
Rep. Jared E. Moskowitz (D- Coral Springs) has introduced House Bill 627,which requires a dog owner to tether or cage his or her dog while transporting them in a truck or trailer. HB 627 does have an exemption for sportsmen transporting them to a hunting or sporting event. Currently the bill is in the House Government Accountability Committee.
Hawaii
House Bill 1589, sponsored by Rep. Ryan I. Yamane (D- Waipahu), will allow sportsmen to use noise suppressors while hunting. Current law does not allow for the use of noise suppressors in the field. HB 1589 passed the Water and Land Committee 8-0 in favor and is now in the House Judiciary Committee.
Iowa
Rep. Andy McKean (R- Anamosa) has introduced House File 360, which would establish an open season to hunt fox squirrels and gray squirrels from the first Saturday in August through January 31 of the succeeding year. Current, law allows for a bag limit of six squirrels. Currently HF 360 is in the House Natural Resources Committee.
Illinois
House Bill 1771, sponsored by Rep. Jerry Costello (D-District 116), would allow any person to use a crossbow to take any animal during the appropriate archery season. This bill broadens the law to go beyond current law, which allows for crossbows to be used during the second Monday following the Thanksgiving holiday through the last day of the archery deer hunting season. Currently, HB 1771 is in the House Agriculture and Conservation Committee.
About the Sportsmen’s Alliance: The Sportsmen’s Alliance protects and defends America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is responsible for public education, legal defense and research. Its mission is accomplished through several distinct programs coordinated to provide the most complete defense capability possible. Stay connected to Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.