SECTION 1. Section 20-15-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 20-15 entitled "Deer Hunting" is hereby amended to read as follows:

20-15-3. Permit to landowner to protect property. -- (a) Any person owning or occupying any property and any employee of that person, while on that person's premises, may kill any deer found destroying any crops, vegetables, or fruit trees, or otherwise causing damage to that property; provided, however, that this person shall not kill any deer unless he or she has obtained a permit from the director to do so. The director, on application, may issue the permit to any responsible owner or the owner's employee, provided that no such permit shall be issued until the director has determined that actual damage has been done to crops, vegetables, fruit trees, or other property by any deer, and that no practical alternative to the shooting of the deer is available. This permit shall be issued on an annual basis. Any person taking or wounding a deer under the permit shall report the taking or wounding to a conservation officer or other designee of the director within twenty-four (24) hours of the taking or wounding.

(b) Hunting shall only be permitted from one half (1/2) hour before sunrise to one half (1/2) hour after sunset; provided that the director, subject to terms and conditions to be set forth by regulation, may authorize hunting at other times on farmlands; and further provided, that these farms have experienced severe deer damage to a cash crop or crops, and have attempted unsuccessfully other reasonable means of controlling the damage, including daylight hunting; and provided further, that the director determines whether these farmlands are of sufficient size to support night hunting without endangering the public safety.

(c) Any permit granted pursuant to subsection (b) of this section shall be exempt from all fees.

(d) Under the authority of the director, the division of agriculture shall be responsible for administering the provisions of this section as they relate to farmers, and may also be responsible for administering this section as it relates to other landowners.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC01199/SUB B
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO FISH AND WILDLIFE -- DEER HUNTING

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This act would permit the chief of the division of agriculture, rather than the director of the department of environmental management, to authorize hunting at night on farmlands.

This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC01199/SUB B
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