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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T





SPONSOR: Lyons DATE TYPED: 02/28/01 HB
SHORT TITLE: Regulations for Landlord Takings SB 527
ANALYST: Dotson


APPROPRIATION



Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact
Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY01 FY02 FY01 FY02
NFI



(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)



Conflicts with HB 798

Relates to HB 797

SOURCES OF INFORMATION



Game and Fish Department



SUMMARY



Synopsis of Bill



SB 527 modifies regulations which provide for landowner takings of animals. The State Game Commission is provided with the authority to adopt a minimum number of interventions prior to implementing the killing provision. It also adds language that requires the landowner and department to establish a process for salvaging the game meat.



Significant Issues



According to Game and Fish Department, the new language would provide a mechanism for the landowner to implement interventions.



PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS



The new language of this bill would allow department interventions the opportunity to work before being rejected by landowners. It would allow interventions to be taken seriously and increase the overall performance of the department's depredation management program.







ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS



SB 527 requires the State Game Commission to formulate and adopt new regulations that set the minimum number of interventions. It would also require the Game and Fish Department and the landowner to establish a process for salvaging the meat.



OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES



Abuse could occur because "crop damage" is currently an undefine term.



According to the Game and Fish Department, some landowners demand additional licenses and threaten if the additional licenses were not awarded, game would be killed using the existing law. The proposed amendment would alleviate this type of situation and better address animal damage issues.



The Game and Fish Department suggests the following:



Page 3, line 2 insert:

…for good cause and in writing the interventions offered…

Page 3, line 4 insert:

… to demonstrate in writing that the property depredation is…



POSSIBLE QUESTIONS



1. Is pasture considered a crop?



2. Is BLM leased pasture considered a crop?



PD/ar