AB59

Under existing law, the Board of Wildlife Commissioners is required to classify all wildlife by regulation. (NRS 501.110) Existing law also, with certain exceptions, prohibits a person from intentionally feeding a big game mammal without written authorization from the Department. For the purpose of this prohibition, “big game mammal” is defined to include a pronghorn antelope, black bear, mule deer, mountain goat, mountain lion, Rocky Mountain elk and certain subspecies of bighorn sheep. The penalties for violating this prohibition are: (1) a written warning for a first offense; (2) a fine of not more than $250 for a second offense; and (3) a fine of not more than $500 for a third or subsequent offense. (NRS 501.382) Section 7 of this bill expands this prohibition to apply to: (1) the intentional feeding of any wildlife that is classified as a wild mammal by regulations adopted by the Board of Wildlife Commissioners; and (2) the taking of any bird that is classified as a game bird by regulations adopted by the Board of Wildlife Commissioners by baiting such a game bird or on or above an area that was baited which the person knows or reasonably should have known was baited. Section 1 of this bill makes a conforming change as a result of the expansion of the prohibition to additional animals. With certain exceptions, existing law prohibits a person or the person's agent or employee from knowingly bringing into or possessing in this State the carcass or part of the carcass o