HCS HB 226 -- WILDLIFE CODE VIOLATIONS

SPONSOR:  Townley (Holand)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Conservation and Natural Resources by a vote of 14 to 5.

In addition to the existing class A misdemeanor charge, this
substitute requires anyone convicted of illegally taking or
possessing an antlered deer with the intent to sell 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.

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.

FISCAL NOTE:  Not available at time of printing.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill will help reduce the
profitability of illegally trafficking in trophy deer antlers.

Testifying for the bill were Representatives Holand and Hampton;
Department of Conservation; 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 July 25, 2003 at 10:11 am