Bill would let motorists salvage fresh roadkill with a permit and expand chronic wasting disease testing

Carson City — Sen. Robin Titus (R., District 17) told the Senate Committee on Natural Resources that Senate Bill 215 would authorize salvage permits allowing people to collect wildlife killed by vehicle collisions (and other incidental fatal events) for noncommercial use, while enabling Nevada Department of Wildlife testing for chronic wasting disease (CWD).

Titus said the measure is intended to prevent waste of edible meat and to increase specimen collection for disease surveillance. The bill would require the Board of Wildlife Commissioners to adopt regulations for NDOW to issue salvage permits, prohibit fees for the permit, and allow the commission to limit permit issuance in areas where CWD has been confirmed.

Why it matters: Supporters said roadkill salvage conserves food and provides additional samples for CWD monitoring; NDOW described potential operational approaches (including e‑tagging/phone permits) and cautioned that testing turnaround can take weeks depending on batching and seasonality.

Key points from testimony - Sponsor and scope: Sen. Robin Titus described SB215 as a long‑requested change for rural Nevada and said the measure covers animals killed by vehicles and other incidental fatal events (for example by trains). The bill would take effect Oct. 1 to allow the wildlife commission time to adopt regulations.

- Regulatory design and checks: Section 1 directs the Board of Wildlife Commissioners to adopt regulations authorizing NDOW to issue salvage permits and prohibits the commission from charging a permit fee. The commission may adopt rules to suspend permit issuance in areas with confirmed CWD. Titus also proposed a department‑sourced amendment to include fatalities beyond vehicle collisions.

- Department view and logistics: Mike Scott, NDOW deputy director, and Chief Kristi Knight testified in a neutral posture about logistics. Scott said the department envisions options including a phone‑based e‑permit; he also cautioned that laboratory testing for CWD is done in batches and “it can take weeks before we actually get a result back.” NDOW said it has not detected CWD in Nevada to date but noted cases exist in neighboring states and near the California border.

- Support and opposition: Conservation and sportsmen groups — including Larry Johnson of the Coalition for Nevada’s Wildlife and Greg Smith of the Great Basin Wildlife Conservancy — endorsed the bill as overdue. No in‑person opposition testimony was recorded; NDOW said it may submit a fiscal note and emphasized that the commission’s regulatory work will determine implementation costs and mechanics.

Selected direct quotes (attributed) - Sen. Robin Titus, sponsor: “This bill is important in my area.”

- Mike Scott, Deputy Director, Nevada Department of Wildlife: “It can take weeks before we actually get a result back.”

Process, status and next steps The committee took testimony and asked technical questions about permit issuance, who would administer permits, and how law enforcement would be involved; no committee vote was recorded at the hearing. Titus and NDOW staff said the commission would write the implementing regulations (including any check‑in or reporting process), and the bill’s effective date was set to allow time for that work.

Clarifications and implementation considerations - Permit issuance: The committee left the specific mechanics to the wildlife commission. Witnesses discussed options including officer‑issued receipts, a phone/e‑permit system or a digital receipt linked to NDOW databases. - Disease testing: NDOW confirmed tests are processed in batches; results vary with season and laboratory load. NDOW staff and the sponsor emphasized that salvaged animals would be fresh kills and that the program is designed to expand sampling for CWD surveillance while protecting public safety. - Fiscal uncertainty: NDOW said the cost to implement salvage permits depends on expected utilization, whether other agencies assist (sheriffs, highway patrol), and whether the commission opts for an electronic solution; NDOW had not produced a definitive cost estimate at the hearing.

Ending Supporters said SB215 would conserve edible resources and aid disease monitoring; NDOW and the commission will shape operational details. The bill remains in committee for further regulatory drafting and potential fiscal analysis.