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Committee previews H.230 changes on reptiles, penalties and a small farmer reimbursement program
Summary
The committee reviewed H.230 proposals that would increase some big‑game penalties, convert many hunting violations to civil penalties, restrict commercial trade in certain reptiles and amphibians and propose ending a little‑used farmer damage reimbursement program.
The Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee received a preview May 7 of proposed Fish and Wildlife changes in H.230, including expanded protections for reptiles and amphibians, adjusted penalties for some wildlife violations and a proposal to end a small farmer crop‑damage reimbursement program.
The bill would move many minor wildlife violations from criminal to civil enforcement, raise fines for certain major game violations, add a new prohibition against taking many reptiles and amphibians (with a delayed implementation date to allow the Fish & Wildlife Department to write rules), and ban the sale of pond‑slider turtles. The bill also would allow the commissioner to keep location data for especially sensitive endangered species confidential.
Why it matters: the changes touch hunters, commercial collections and pet trade…
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