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:

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

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

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     20-19-5. Canned hunting prohibited.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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state for purposes of conducting canned hunting.

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

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

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used by the hunter to assist in the hunt.

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     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

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

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

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

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

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC002657

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