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House approves misdemeanor penalty for obstructing legal hunting access (H.B. 128)
Summary
Lawmakers passed H.B. 128 to make willfully impeding lawful hunting a class C misdemeanor, citing incidents of blocked access and persons chaining themselves to gates; the bill was forwarded to the Senate.
The House passed H.B. 128 on Feb. 1, a measure creating a class C misdemeanor for intentionally interfering with lawful hunting access, sponsor readings said. The sponsor described recent incidents where individuals blocked access roads or chained themselves to gates to prevent hunters from entering fields and said law enforcement needs clear authority to penalize that conduct.
Under the bill as read, a class C misdemeanor carries fines up to $750 and up to 90 days in jail. During floor questions, members asked whether the bill applies on private property when the property owner denies access; the sponsor responded that the provision is intended to address third-party interference where a hunter has permission to be on the land.
The House recorded the bill’s favorable vote and referred H.B. 128 to the Senate.
