Raised Bill No. 1149 seeks to revise current hunting regulations by removing restrictions on Sunday hunting on both public and private lands. The bill amends Section 26-3 of the general statutes, granting the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection broader authority over fish and wildlife management, including the deletion of the phrase "other than Sundays," which currently limits the commissioner's actions on Sundays. It also modifies Section 26-82 of the general statutes to allow landowners or lessees to obtain up to six damage permits for killing deer that cause income loss, with the insertion of "as amended by this act" indicating further unspecified amendments.

The bill further allows the use of a jacklight for taking deer causing damage on private land at night and prohibits the use of certain devices for taking deer, except for commissioner-approved attractants. It repeals the Sunday hunting prohibition in Section 26-86a, outlines deer management standards, and sets fees and eligibility for various hunting permits. Additionally, the bill permits certified firearms instructors and their students to possess and transport firearms on Sundays and allows the discharge of firearms on Sundays on state and private property with appropriate permissions. The bill repeals Section 26-73, which previously contradicted these provisions, and specifies an effective date of July 1, 2023, with insertions and deletions to clarify the amendments and repeals within the statutes.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 26-3, 26-73