2022 -- H 7439

========

LC004587

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO FISH AND WILDLIFE - FIELD TRIALS AND SHOOTING PRESERVES –

CAPTIVE HUNTING PROHIBITED

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Slater, Diaz, Bennett, O'Brien, Serpa, Williams, Biah,
Amore, Henries, and Caldwell

     Date Introduced: February 11, 2022

     Referred To: House Environment and Natural Resources

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

1

     SECTION 1. Chapter 20-19 of the General Laws entitled "FIELD TRIALS AND

2

SHOOTING PRESERVES" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

3

     20-19-5. Captive hunting prohibited.

4

     (a) As used in this section, the term "captive hunting" means a hunt that occurs within a

5

structure designed to restrict the free movement of animals created by the use of fences, man-made

6

structures and/or natural barriers, including, but not limited to, private lands set up as hunting or

7

shooting preserves or game ranches, wherein the animal is restricted from escaping or fleeing from

8

the confined area during the hunt.

9

     (b) No species of animal whether domestic or wild, whether exotic to the state or naturally

10

occurring in the state may be imported into the state or released on any property within the state

11

for purposes of conducting captive hunting.

12

     (c) No native or domestic species of the state shall be intentionally or unintentionally

13

captured or restricted of free movement by the use of fences, man-made structures and/or natural

14

barriers for the purpose of conducting captive hunting.

15

     (d) The term captive hunting shall not apply to the release of upland game birds for hunting

16

whether on public property or on private property properly licensed by the department as a shooting

17

preserve.

 

1

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC004587

========

 

LC004587 - Page 2 of 3

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO FISH AND WILDLIFE - FIELD TRIALS AND SHOOTING PRESERVES –

CAPTIVE HUNTING PROHIBITED

***

1

     This act would prohibit captive hunting for domestic or wild animals. This act does not

2

prohibit the release of upland game birds for hunting on licensed shooting preserves.

3

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC004587

========

 

LC004587 - Page 3 of 3