HCS HB 1342 -- WILDLIFE

SPONSOR:  McBride (Hampton)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on State
Parks, Natural Resources and Mining by a vote of 10 to 1.

In addition to the existing class A misdemeanor charge, this
substitute requires anyone illegally taking or possessing an
antlered deer to remit to the Conservation Commission an amount
ranging from $500 to $7,500, depending on the deer's Boone &
Crockett score.  The commission may allocate up to 25% of the
funds for grants that promote anti-poaching activities.

The substitute also requires courts to notify the commission if
anyone fails to appear at a hearing or pay a fine for taking
wildlife illegally.  The commission may consider this
information in permit suspension, revocation, or denial actions.

Further, the substitute makes it a class A misdemeanor to
knowingly release swine to live in a wild state on public or
unfenced private land.  Free-roaming hogs not conspicuously
identified by ear tags may be killed without liability on public
lands or on private lands with the permission of the landowner.

FISCAL NOTE:  Income to Conservation Commission Fund of $60,833
to $912,500 in FY 2001, $73,000 to $1,095,000 in FY 2002, and
$73,000 to $1,095,000 in FY 2003.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that illegal trafficking in trophy
deer antlers is widespread, and existing penalties are much less
than the value of the antlers.  Requiring restitution will
reduce the profitability of the illegal trade.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Holand; Missouri
Department of Conservation; and Conservation Federation of
Missouri.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Terry Finger, Senior Legislative Analyst

HB 1342 -- Deer Hunting

Co-Sponsors:  Holand, Hampton

In addition to the existing class A misdemeanor charge, this
bill requires anyone illegally taking or possessing deer to
remit $200 to the state general revenue fund for each antlerless
deer, and, for each antlered deer, an amount ranging from $500
to $7,500, depending on the deer's Boone & Crockett score.