HCS HB 205, 323 & 549 -- CONSERVATION COMMISSION

SPONSOR:  Relford

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Conservation, State Parks and Mining by a vote of 15 to 0.

This substitute allows the Missouri Conservation Commission to
establish a cost-share incentive program to promote sustainable
forestry practices on tracts of at least 40 acres.  The program
may reimburse landowners for up to 50% of the costs of forest
management activities that do not generate an immediate profit,
protect water quality, and ensure efficient use and continued
availability of forest resources.  No individual may receive
more than $5,000 per year from the program.  Lands designated as
forest croplands are not eligible.

The substitute also 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.  State
wildlife regulations must be followed during the firearms deer
and turkey hunting seasons, and artificial lights may only be
used by landowners on their own land.

In addition to the existing class A misdemeanor charge, the
substitute also requires anyone convicted of illegally taking or
possessing an antlered deer to remit to the Conservation
Commission an amount ranging from $1,500 to $7,500, depending on
the deer's Boone & Crockett score.  Resident landowners on their
own property and individuals guilty of minor tagging or checking
violations are exempt.  The commission may allocate up to 25% of
the funds for grants that promote anti-poaching activities.

Further, the substitute 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.

FISCAL NOTE:  Income to Conservation Commission Fund of $182,500
to $912,500 in FY 2002, $219,000 to $1,095,000 in FY 2003, and
$219,00 to $1095,000 in FY 2003.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill: (1) creates an
important incentive for landowners to develop healthy,
productive forests; (2) helps control feral hogs responsible for
considerable damage to pastures, crops, and wild lands, and with
the potential to spread disease to domestic animals; and (3)
reduces the profitability of illegal trafficking in trophy deer
antlers.

Testifying for the bill were Representatives Relford, Crump,
Hampton, and Holand; Missouri Department of Conservation;
Missouri Forest Products Association; Missouri Pork Producers
Association; and Conservation Federation of Missouri.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Terry Finger, Senior Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated November 26, 2001 at 11:42 am