Panel advances bill prohibiting waste of big-game remains

Chair Anderson presiding over the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources on the work-session agenda advanced Senate Bill 101, a measure that would apply prohibitions related to wasting certain portions of big-game mammals and require the Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners to adopt implementing regulations.

Becky Peratt, Legislative Counsel Bureau policy analyst, summarized the measure for the record, saying, “Senate bill 101 applies certain prohibitions related to, wasting certain portions of certain wildlife, specifically to big game mammals, which is defined in the bill and requires the Board of Wildlife Commissioners to adopt related regulations.” The bill was sponsored in the Senate by Senator Daley, Peratt told the committee.

The committee moved to pass the bill after a motion by Assembly member Watts and a second from Assembly member Considine. During consideration, Assembly member Jackson said, “Chair, I'll be a no with reservations.” Assembly member Hansen elaborated on his opposition: “I still am not I am going to be a no and trying to understand how this is going to help. … Then I worry about the impact to our neighborhoods when they end up in a trash bin…they're gonna throw them out in the wild. And now if they do that, they've now set themselves up for 12 demerits and the loss of their hunting, fishing, and trapping license for 5 years.” Vice Chair LaRue Hatch said she shared concerns about public health and disposal.

Chair Anderson asked members opposed to identify themselves; the transcript records the following members as voting nay or raising objections during the roll call on the motion: Assembly member Bridal, Assembly member Hanson, Assembly member Jackson, Vice Chair LaRue Hatch and Assembly member Marzola. The chair announced that, despite those no votes, “The motion has passed,” and asked Assembly member Watts to prepare a floor statement.

The measure directs the Board of Wildlife Commissioners to adopt regulations implementing the prohibitions. Committee discussion focused on implementation and public-health concerns rather than changes to the bill text. There were no amendments offered during the work session, Peratt said, and no written amendments were adopted on the record.

The committee’s action advances the bill to the next legislative step; the committee record shows debate but not further statutory language changes. A floor statement was requested to accompany the bill on the Assembly floor.

Less central details from the work session included reminders about public-comment procedures and that the committee does not customarily take live testimony during work sessions. The meeting adjourned after a brief recess later on the agenda.