Stricken language would be deleted from and underlined language would be added to present law.
1 State of Arkansas
2 94th General Assembly A Bill
3 Regular Session, 2023 HOUSE BILL 1808
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5 By: Representatives Unger, Pearce
6 By: Senator K. Hammer
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8 For An Act To Be Entitled
9 AN ACT TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING HUNTING AND
10 FISHING REGULATIONS; TO MAKE VARIOUS VIOLATIONS OF
11 WILDLIFE REGULATIONS CRIMINAL AND PUNISHABLE AS
12 FELONIES; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
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15 Subtitle
16 TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING HUNTING AND
17 FISHING REGULATIONS; AND TO MAKE VARIOUS
18 VIOLATIONS OF WILDLIFE REGULATIONS
19 CRIMINAL AND PUNISHABLE AS FELONIES.
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22 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS:
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24 SECTION 1. Arkansas Code Title 15, Chapter 43, Subchapter 1, is
25 amended to add an additional section to read as follows:
26 15-43-101. Criminal violation of wildlife regulations punishable as
27 felonies.
28 (a) Upon conviction, a person is guilty of a Class D felony if he or
29 she:
30 (1) While knowingly hunting wildlife in a manner that creates a
31 substantial danger of serious physical injury to another person, causes
32 physical injury to a person;
33 (2) While hunting wildlife with a firearm or archery tackle,
34 negligently shoots another person with the firearm or archery tackle and the
35 actor is under the influence of:
36 (A) Alcohol;
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 HB1808
1 (B) A controlled substance; or
2 (C) A combination of alcohol or a controlled substance;
3 (3) Purchases, sells, offers for sale, barters, or trades any
4 species of wildlife or a portion of wildlife:
5 (A) That is taken out of season;
6 (B) That is over the bag limit; or
7 (C) When the aggregate value of the wildlife or portion of
8 the wildlife is five hundred dollars ($500) or more;
9 (4) Imports, exports, transports, sells, purchases, hunts,
10 harasses, takes, or attempts to take any bald or golden eagle;
11 (5) Imports, exports, transports, sells, purchases, hunts,
12 harasses, takes, or attempts to take any part, nest, or egg of a bald or
13 golden eagle;
14 (6) Violates the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, 16 U.S.C.
15 § 668 - 668d, as it existed on January 1, 2023;
16 (7) Exploits wildlife within five (5) years of a second or
17 subsequent conviction for any of the following:
18 (A) Hunting or taking big game during the nighttime;
19 (B) Hunting during a closed season;
20 (C) Hunting without a license; or
21 (D) Hunting at night while using sound-suppressor,
22 infrared, thermal, laser-optical, or night-vision equipment; or
23 (8) Exploits wildlife through a violation of any wildlife
24 regulation after having been convicted previously of seven (7) or more
25 wildlife regulation violations within a period of five (5) years.
26 (b) The Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission has exclusive
27 authority to enforce this section.
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