2019 -- S 0880

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LC002657

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO FISH AND WILDLIFE

     Introduced By: Senator Maryellen Goodwin

     Date Introduced: May 16, 2019

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 20-19 of the General Laws entitled "Field Trials and Shooting

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

     20-19-5. Canned hunting prohibited.

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

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

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

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

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

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

state for purposes of conducting canned hunting.

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

hunting. This prohibition applies both to animals which are used as prey and animals which are

used by the hunter to assist in the hunt.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC002657

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO FISH AND WILDLIFE

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

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

Canned hunting is when an animal is kept in an enclosed area during the hunt, and the animal is

primarily hunted for purposes of entertainment or the collection of a trophy. The act would also

prohibit the use of genetically altered or cloned animals in canned hunting.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC002657

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