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House passes substitute bill allowing local removal of dangerous predators in specified populated and agricultural areas
Summary
First substitute HB 159 passed the House after debate and amendment; it allows local officials to take dangerous wild predators that enter municipalities or specified cultivated agricultural areas without prior Division of Wildlife Resources approval, and it adds penalties for interference.
On Feb. 13 the House passed first substitute House Bill 159, titled "Control of Wild Animals within Municipalities," addressing public-safety concerns when bears, cougars and other dangerous predators enter populated or agricultural communities. Sponsor Representative Thomas Hatch said the measure was prompted by repeated incidents in which wildlife entered towns or farm areas and officials had difficulty obtaining timely Division of Wildlife Resources assistance.
The substitute bill allows local officials to…
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