Committee approves withdrawal and resubmission of donated-deer processing rule

The committee approved a motion to withdraw and resubmit the Department of Natural Resources regulation implementing Act 149 of 2024 that addresses donated deer processing (Document 53-30).

A presenter explained that Act 149 of 2024 amended section 50 11, 19 10 to allow permitted processors to handle deer donated by hunters or depredation permittees and recover only a processing fee from a person other than the hunter. The presenter said the legislation directed the Department of Natural Resources to promulgate implementing regulations and that the regulation raised questions the committee previously asked about reporting requirements and treatment of uncollected venison at season end.

The presenter described differences between language considered by the Senate and the House: the Senate draft narrowed reporting requirements to an annual count of donated deer and corrected an item label to read “permitted processors.” The House-proposed language sought to define “donated deer” and to treat processed deer not collected within the posted pickup time frame as donated.

Representative Alexander asked for clarification about what donors mean by “donate,” and the presenter explained that hunters who do not want to keep meat can tell a permitted processor they are donating the deer so the processor can recover only processing fees and then distribute or sell the processed product in accordance with the regulation.

After discussion, the clerk called the roll. The clerk recorded a 9-0 vote approving withdrawal and resubmission of Document 53-30 for further editing and alignment between House and Senate language.

Votes at a glance: Document 53-30 — approved for withdrawal and resubmit, 9-0 (members recorded as voting yes: Alexander; Gilliard; Guffey; Hart; Long; Martin; Neese; Taylor; Bradley).

No final regulatory text was adopted at the hearing; the action was procedural to allow additional drafting and review.