Bill > H3872

This bill establishes the "Hunting Heritage Protection Act" for South Carolina, which requires the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to maintain hunting opportunities on state-managed lands. Specifically, the bill defines department-managed lands as state-owned lands under the DNR's Wildlife Management Area program and mandates that these lands must remain open for hunting, with only limited exceptions for wildlife management or statutory restrictions. The bill introduces a key provision that prevents any net loss of hunting land acreage as of January 1, 2026, requiring the department to find replacement acreage if any existing hunting lands are closed. To ensure transparency, the DNR director must submit an annual report to legislative committees detailing any lands closed to hunting and the compensatory lands opened during the previous fiscal year. The first such report will be due by July 1, 2026. The bill emphasizes that the department must exercise its authority in a way that supports, promotes, and enhances hunting opportunities to the extent permitted by law. The legislation will take effect upon receiving the Governor's approval, and it aims to protect and preserve hunting access on state-managed lands.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=3872&session=126&summary=B