Bill > H747

This bill makes several key changes to wildlife and boating regulations in North Carolina. First, it modifies confidentiality provisions for wildlife information, making records containing site-specific details about rare species and sensitive habitats exempt from public disclosure if their release could harm those species or locations. The bill also creates two new special vehicle registration plates: a Lifetime Conservationist plate and a Wildlife Resources plate, with fees from these plates being distributed to various wildlife and conservation funds. In the boating safety domain, the bill reduces the reciprocity period for out-of-state vessels from 90 to 60 days and updates personal watercraft operation rules, such as modifying requirements for engine cut-off switches. Most significantly, the bill authorizes the Wildlife Resources Commission to issue elk hunting permits through a raffle and an auction for the 2026 hunting season, with one resident permit available by raffle and another permit to be auctioned through a selected nonprofit wildlife conservation organization. The bill requires the Commission to report on the effectiveness of these permit programs and specifies that the funds generated should supplement, not replace, existing elk management budgets. The legislation will take effect when signed into law, with some specific provisions becoming effective on July 1, 2025, and October 1, 2025.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H747