Legislative UPDATE Final Normal Session

Normal Session Ended June 4. Budget Special Session to begin June 16.

Firearms: NO GUN BILLS PASSED. We had mixed feelings on the SB 53 Study - should we attempt to kill it precluding any "Ballistic Fingerprinting" follow-up next year or accept the study if we could get some good legislation passed by amendment. We opted for the amendments knowing that these might just kill the bill anyway - which in fact they did. What we did accomplish by the amendments was to finalize them for submission as bills next year and get some exposure to the legislature on their content.

S. B. 53 AN ACT CONCERNING A FIREARM BALLISTIC IDENTIFICATION DATA BANK.

http://www.cga.state.ct.us/2003/fc/2003SB-00053-R000591-FC.htm

Amendments:

Changing the Indefinite period for listed misdemeanor convictions, precluding application for a pistol permit, to a five year setback - "(3) has been convicted of a violation of subsection (c) of section 21a-279, section 53a-58, 53a-61, 53a-61a, 53a-62, 53a-63, 53a-96, 53a-175, 53a-176, 53a-178 or 53a-181d within the preceding five years," http://www.cga.state.ct.us/2003/lcoamd/2003LCO07068-R00-AMD.htm And

Standardizing Permit requirements and adding new identification criteria:

(b) Applicants for temporary state permits under sec. 29-28 shall provide the following to the issuing authority: (1) a completed and notarized application on the form prescribed by the Commissioner of Public Safety. This form may not be modified or supplemented with additional forms or requirements. (2) Proof of eligibility by means of one of the following: for US Citizens, a Birth Certificate; a Naturalization certificate or valid US passport; for Aliens, a Permanent Resident Card. (3) A certificate of successful completion of a course in the safety and use of pistols and revolvers signed by an instructor certified by the National Rifle Association, the Department of Environmental Protection, any law enforcement agency or branch of the United States Military Service. (4) Two sets of fingerprints to be processed as provided in section 29-29.

http://www.cga.state.ct.us/2003/lcoamd/2003LCO07425-R00-AMD.htm NO ACTION - BILL DIED

Fishing:

Lattins Cove Boat Launch Ramp. Three Amendments were proposed (two filed) on different bills. HB 6699 AN ACT CONCERNING THE REVISOR'S 2003 TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS TO THE GENERAL STATUTES http://www.cga.state.ct.us/2003/lcoamd/2003LCO07062-R00-AMD.htm - ruled NOT Germane. SB 1157 AN ACT CONCERNING MINOR REVISIONS TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PROVISIONS. http://www.cga.state.ct.us/2003/lcoamd/2003LCO07591-R00-AMD.htm -

No Fiscal Note received from OFA without which the amendment could not be called. SB 863 AN ACT CONCERNING BOATING SAFETY http://www.cga.state.ct.us/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=863&which_year=2003 - Not received back from LCO in time for debate. There were no other bills active which could be amended. Further discussion with DEP on this issue to MAINTAIN the launch without legislation will be pressed. NO ACTION.

SB 850 AN ACT CONCERNING MARINE FISHERIES REPORTING REQUIREMENTS AND LICENSES FOR COMMERCIAL FISHING. Died on Senate Calendar - Not Addressed. http://www.cga.state.ct.us/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=850&which_year=2003

HB 5442 AN ACT DESIGNATING THE AMERICAN SHAD AS THE STATE FISH. PASSED. http://www.cga.state.ct.us/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=5442&which_year=2003

Boating: SB 863 AN ACT CONCERNING BOATING SAFETY. Establishes penalties for operating a boat while intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol. PASSED. http://www.cga.state.ct.us/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=863&which_year=2003

H. B. No. 6394 AN ACT CONCERNING THE ENDANGERED SPECIES PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION. PASSED.

http://www.cga.state.ct.us/2003/jnl/h/2003HJL00528-R00-JNL.htm Amendment "A" to the bill is the content of 'AN ACT CONCERNING WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION', to update the wildlife management programs of the Department of Environmental Protection. [Very IMPORTANT Wildlife Bill!] Amendment "B" to the bill is AN ACT CONCERNING FREE PRIVATE LAND DEER PERMITS FOR CERTAIN FARMERS. To augment the status of farms (LLC) permitted to obtain a private land deer permit. Amendment "C" is DEP reporting requirements.

SB 1157 AN ACT CONCERNING MINOR REVISIONS TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PROVISIONS. Changes hunting definitions, licensing. See Sec. 2 & 3 of LCO Amendment 7496 [IMPORTANT Hunting Bill] PASSED. http://www.cga.state.ct.us/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=1157&which_year=2003

S.B. No. 1046 AN ACT CONCERNING INVASIVE SPECIES OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS. PASSED. http://www.cga.state.ct.us/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=1046&which_year=2003

AN ACT CONCERNING EXPENDITURES AND REVENUE FOR THE BIENNIUM ENDING JUNE 30, 2005. [Budget] VETOED.

House Amendment Schedule "B" "Sec. 501. (Effective from passage) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 12-460a of the general statutes, with respect to each of the fiscal years ending on or after June 30, 2004, and June 30, 2005, the Commissioner of Revenue Services, in lieu of the requirements of said section 12-460a, shall deposit into the Conservation Fund established under section 22a-27h of the general statutes two million dollars of the amount of the funds received by the state from the tax imposed under chapter 221 of the general statutes attributable to sales of fuel from distributors to any boat yard, public or private marina or other entity renting or leasing slips, dry storage, mooring or other space for marine vessels provided (1) two hundred fifty thousand dollars shall be credited to the boating account, and (2) one million dollars shall be credited to the fisheries account of which not less than seventy-five thousand dollars shall be allocated to The University of Connecticut for the Long Island Sound councils.