Bill > HB1087

Introduced Session

Section 1 of the bill amends a legislative declaration to clarify that any person, not just hunters, may be prosecuted for violations of parks and wildlife statutes. Section 2 amends the definition of "take" to clarify that the term includes the killing of wildlife with certain exceptions. Section 3 states that licenses issued by the division of parks and wildlife (division) are not subject to the "Secure and Verifiable Identity Document Act". Sections 4 and 11 clarify that a person who is convicted of a violation of a parks and wildlife statute that does not list a specific penalty is subject to a fine of $100. Section 4 also provides that a person convicted of such a violation of the wildlife statutes is subject to a penalty assessment of 5 license suspension points. Section 4 extends the period of time within which an alleged offender may pay fines and surcharges identified in a penalty assessment notice issued to the alleged offender from 15 days to 20 days. Section 4 also authorizes personal service or service by certified mail of a summons and complaint or a penalty assessment notice. Section 5 authorizes the parks and wildlife commission or a hearing officer to suspend a person's license issued by the division for a failure to comply with an official notice of an alleged violation of the parks and wildlife statutes. The suspension is lifted once the person furnishes or causes to be furnished to the division satisfactory evidence of compliance with the official notice of an alleged violation. Section 6 makes the imposition of additional penalties regarding the unlawful taking of trophy animals permissive instead of mandatory. Section 7 amends the definition of "careless" regarding the violation of hunting in a careless manner and authorizes a lesser fine for a person who commits the violation while hunting under a big game license for a different type of animal than the type of animal killed and who immediately field dresses the killed animal and reports the killing to the division. Sections 8, 9, and 12 amend the definition of "vessel" to include all types of stand-up paddleboards. Section 12 also excludes from the definition of "river outfitter" a person whose only service is providing instruction in rafting or stand-up paddleboarding. Section 10 authorizes a person to possess a loaded pistol or revolver while snowmobiling and clarifies that the division mayauthorize certain conduct while operating a snowmobile that is otherwise unlawful. Section 13 prohibits a river outfitter, guide, trip leader, or guide instructor from allowing another person to operate a vessel without due regard for river conditions or other attending circumstances or in a manner that endangers any person, property, or wildlife. Section 14 makes a conforming amendment.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Jennifer Arndt (D)*,  Kerry Donovan (D)*,  Robert Rankin (R)*,  Perry Will (R)*, 

Governor Signed (on 03/20/2020)

Official Document