Legislature(2003 - 2004)
04/16/2004 03:36 PM Senate RES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SB 297-BEAR HUNTING/DISPOSAL OF HIDE/SKULL
CHAIR SCOTT OGAN announced SB 297 to be up for consideration.
SENATOR THOMAS WAGONER moved to adopt CSSB 297(RES), version \X.
CHAIR OGAN objected for discussion purposes. He explained that
on page 2 there's a lot of concern.
There has been testimony from the Department of Law
that allowing non-resident hunters to hunt without a
guide may compromise the safety requirements for
requiring a guide for dangerous game like bears. This
is not a hunt; this is a bear predation management
program. So, it is not a hunt.
CHAIR OGAN said that language on page 2, line 19, added "and has
taken big game in the state during at least one calendar year
and who has obtained a hunter safety certificate issued under
(f) of this section" to require the person has legally hunted
big game already in at least two calendar years. He thought this
went a long way to address safety concerns.
SENATOR WAGONER asked how a person would prove that they have
legally hunted big game in the state during at least two
calendar years.
CHAIR OGAN replied that they would have to sign an affidavit
saying that they have done it. It is a misdemeanor if they lie
about it. "There's a certain amount of trust factor in it...."
He said the next change is on page 3, section (f), that provides
the hunter safety course. He asked Mr. Robus if the department
would have the authority to require a safety course.
MR. MATT ROBUS, Director, Division of Wildlife Conservation,
answered that he has the authority to provide reasonable
training for people who are going to go out and deal with wild
animals, especially big game.
CHAIR OGAN said the next change is on page 3, line 29, which
increases the fee to $250 when the department seals the bear.
"So, there's no money up front, but if you get one, you're going
to pay a couple bucks. That should more than offset the cost of
doing the training."
He indicated that Mr. Robus nodded when he said the fiscal note
is zero.
SENATOR SEEKINS continued explaining the CS saying that all
references to this program are changed to "bear predation
management permit". Military people who want to accompany have
the same requirement to be consistent with the rest of the bill.
SENATOR SEEKINS moved conceptual Amendment 1.
CHAIR OGAN objected to discuss where it would be inserted.
SENATOR WAGONER noted that they hadn't adopted the CS, yet.
SENATOR SEEKINS recognized that and withdrew his motion.
CHAIR OGAN maintained his objection to the CS and then noted
there were no further objections and CSSB 297(RES), version X,
was adopted.
SENATOR SEEKINS moved conceptual Amendment 1. He explained that
it instructs the Board of Game to implement the methods and
means necessary to effectively carry out the purposes of bear
predator management.
MR. ROBUS acknowledged the work that went into this bill in two
days and he thought the CS took care of the issues he brought
forward before. He didn't have a problem with language stating
the department and the board shall apply the appropriate methods
in areas where bear populations are deemed to have to be
decreased.
This does now form something that is analogous to the
wolf control statute and regulations and the findings
that come under those regulations. Now I see the board
being able to rather smoothly incorporate anything
that has to be taken care of in the multi-predator
system can be dealt with through one predator
management plan.
CHAIR OGAN removed his objection to Amendment 1. He left it up
to the drafter to put the language in the appropriate place.
SENATOR SEEKINS asked Mr. Robus if he thought "the board shall
authorize and department shall implement" would be more in line
with what the line of authority should be.
MR. ROBUS replied that is a good point.
In the wolf predation control programs we're doing
now, we are implementing in the sense that we are
managing the permits. Certainly, implementing the
permit part of the program is a departmental function
and perhaps kind of the combination language you just
said is better.
SENATOR SEEKINS moved to amend Amendment 1 to read:
The board shall authorize and the department shall
implement whatever methods and means deemed necessary.
There were no objections and Amendment 1 was amended for the
first time.
SENATOR SEEKINS said that this legislature now sits and observes
what the Board of Game does and still has the right, if the
methods and means are not authorized and implemented, to
effectively reduce the bear populations in identified areas to
give it legislative direction.
CHAIR OGAN noted that there were no further comments.
SENATOR SEEKINS moved to pass CSSB 297(RES), from committee with
attached zero fiscal note. There were no objections and it was
so ordered. There being no further business to come before the
committee, he adjourned the meeting at 4:50 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|