H192 - 2023 Wildlife Resources Changes. (SL 2023-69)

Overview: S.L. 2023-69 makes the following changes to the statutes governing the Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC), as described in further detail below:

• Effective July 1, 2023, allows WRC to expend funds to construct or renovate equipment storage or maintenance buildings with a total project cost of less than $150,000. Also allows the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) to expend funds for these purposes to build equipment structures with a total project cost of less than $150,000.
• Allows WRC to use funds appropriated for removal of high-hazard dams in the mountain region of the State to remove dams that are not categorized as "high-hazard" but are otherwise prioritized for removal by WRC, until June 30, 2025.
• Effective July 1, 2023, exempts WRC from the Department of Administration's architecture and engineering authority for projects within boating access areas, public fishing areas, and WRC game lands with an estimated cost of $750,000 or less and establishes a procedure by which WRC must conduct certain fee negotiations and contract oversight.
• Creates a new license available to a person that either holds a valid big game license or is otherwise exempt from hunting license requirements, to take two deer of either sex in an area identified by WRC as a special management area due to the presence or potential presence of chronic wasting disease (CWD).
• Allows the Executive Director of WRC to issue proclamations creating or modifying CWD surveillance areas, as well as mandatory sampling requirements, for cervids taken in areas where the Executive Director receives notice of a new confirmed case of CWD in that area.
• Eliminates floatation device type designations in statute, consistent with federal law.
• Allows for relocation of an object of remembrance commemorating WRC law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.
• Makes a conforming change to how titles are delivered to WRC for the purposes of titling a vessel that is otherwise titled in another state so that the third-party vendor is allowed to submit these documents to WRC.
• Allows fishing with the aid of an unmanned aircraft or unmanned aircraft system when the unmanned aircraft or unmanned aircraft system is used for purposes of spotting fish; locating fish; recording, broadcasting, or streaming video of fish; or deploying bait. This section became effective July 1, 2023, and applies to activities occurring on or after that date.

Except as otherwise provided, this act became effective June 30, 2023.