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Bill > A5246


NJ A5246

NJ A5246
Prohibits enforcement of certain trapping violations in areas subject to law enforcement investigation.


summary

Introduced
01/30/2025
In Committee
01/30/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026

Introduced Session

2024-2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill would prohibit the Department of Environmental Protection or any other person authorized to enforce provisions of chapter 4 of Title 23 of the Revised Statutes, or the State Fish and Game Code, from issuing a violation to a trapping licensee for failure to check a trap within the required time period if the trap is located in an area subject to a law enforcement investigation and the licensee has been instructed by a federal, State, or local law enforcement agent to vacate the area. Current State Fish and Game Code regulations, at N.J.A.C. 7:25-5.12(i), require that all traps set or in use must be checked, tended, and maintained at least once per calendar day for the trapping of semi-aquatic species in tidal areas, and at least once in every 24 hours for all other trappings.

AI Summary

This bill provides a specific exemption to existing trap-checking regulations for trapping licensees who are working in an area under active law enforcement investigation. Currently, New Jersey's Fish and Game Code requires traps to be checked at least once per calendar day for semi-aquatic species in tidal areas and at least once every 24 hours for all other trapping activities. Under this proposed legislation, if a trapping licensee is instructed by a federal, state, or local law enforcement agent to leave an area that is part of an ongoing investigation, they will not receive a violation for failing to check their traps within the normally mandated timeframe. This bill offers protection to trappers who might otherwise be penalized for being unable to access and maintain their traps due to law enforcement activities, recognizing that compliance with trap-checking regulations could be impossible or unsafe during an active investigation.

Committee Categories

Business and Industry

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture Committee (on 01/30/2025)

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