SECTION 1. Sections 20-14-1 and 20-14-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 20-14 entitled "Birds" are hereby amended to read as follows:

20-14-1. Birds protected. --(a) No person shall pursue, hunt with intent to kill, take, destroy, or have in his or her possession any wild bird or birds at any season of the year except during the established open seasons. Possession of any bird during the time when the taking of birds is prohibited shall be evidence that the bird was taken in violation of this section, and each bird possessed in violation of this section shall constitute a separate and distinct offense.

(b) This section shall not be construed to apply to any species of birds for which: (1) a federal depredation permit has been issued in accordance with applicable federal law; or (2) a state depredation permit has been issued in accordance with section 20-14-1.1

20-14-2. Destruction of nest or eggs. -- No person shall willfully disturb or destroy the nest or eggs of any wild bird, except pursuant to a program authorized by the director or for which a federal or state depredation permit has been issued.

SECTION 2. Chapter 20-14 of the General Laws entitled "Birds" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

20-14-1.1. Bird depredation permits. -- (a) A person may petition and be issued a depredation permit from the director or his or her designee, in accordance with applicable federal law, for the taking of birds when found committing depredations upon agricultural crops, livestock, or wildlife, or when concentrated in such numbers and manner as to constitute a health or public safety hazard or other nuisance.

(b) Before any such state depredation permits are issued, the director shall promulgate rules and regulations, in accordance with applicable federal law, establishing standards governing the issuance of said permits and other measures necessary for the control of birds causing depredation or constituting a health or public safety hazard or other nuisance.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.