2021 -- H 5058

========

LC000163

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO FISH AND WILDLIFE

     

     Introduced By: Representative Joseph M. McNamara

     Date Introduced: January 22, 2021

     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 Shooting

2

Preserves" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

3

     20-19-5. Canned hunting prohibited.

4

     (a) As used in this section, the term "canned hunting" refers to a trophy hunt in which the

5

hunt occurs in a confined area, including, but not limited to, private lands set up as hunting or

6

shooting preserves or game ranches, wherein the animal cannot escape or flee from the confined

7

area during the hunt, thereby increasing the hunter's chances of success, and the animal is hunted

8

primarily for purposes of entertainment or the collection of all or part of the animal as a trophy.

9

      (b) No wild animal that is not native or domestic to this state may be imported into the

10

state for purposes of conducting canned hunting.

11

     (c) No animal which has been genetically altered or cloned may be used in canned hunting.

12

This prohibition applies both to animals which are used as prey and animals which are used by the

13

hunter to assist in the hunt.

14

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC000163

========

 

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO FISH AND WILDLIFE

***

1

     This act would prohibit the practice of importing a wild animal into the state, which animal

2

is not native or domestic to the state, for the purpose of conducting canned hunting. Canned hunting

3

is when an animal is kept in an enclosed area during the hunt, and the animal is primarily hunted

4

for purposes of entertainment or the collection of a trophy. The act would also prohibit the use of

5

genetically altered or cloned animals in canned hunting.

6

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC000163

========

 

LC000163 - Page 2 of 2