Senate Bill No. 1523 aims to amend existing laws regarding the management of wildlife that damages agricultural crops and livestock, particularly focusing on black bears. The bill allows individuals to use deadly force against bears if they reasonably believe the bear is injuring or killing their controlled livestock, expanding the current law that permits lethal action only under specific circumstances, such as when a bear poses a threat to human safety or pets. Additionally, the bill modifies the conditions under which the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) can issue permits for taking nuisance wildlife. It removes the requirement for property owners or lessees to first attempt reasonable nonlethal measures to protect their crops or livestock, and it allows permits to be issued for wildlife that caused damage in the previous growing season, as verified by DEEP.

The bill also includes several procedural changes, such as eliminating the notarization requirement for permit applications and specifying that permits must detail the means and methods for taking wildlife. The provisions ensure that permits can only be issued to property owners, their agents, or lessees with written permission from the owner, and they mandate that any wildlife taken must be disposed of according to DEEP's directives. Violations of permit conditions remain classified as a class D misdemeanor, with penalties including potential imprisonment and fines. Overall, the bill seeks to streamline the process for managing wildlife threats to agriculture while ensuring that the necessary oversight and regulations remain in place.