The proposed legislation, General Assembly Raised Bill No. 146, aims to enhance the protection of livestock and agricultural crops from wildlife threats. It amends section 26-47 of the general statutes by allowing the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection to issue permits for the taking of wildlife that threatens or has caused damage to livestock, apiaries, or crops during the preceding growing season, as verified by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. The bill specifies that the property owner or lessee must have made reasonable nonlethal efforts to protect their livestock or crops before a permit can be issued. Additionally, it removes the requirement for notarization of permit applications and clarifies that any wildlife taken must be disposed of as directed by the department.

Furthermore, the bill modifies section 26-80a to allow individuals to use deadly physical force against bears if they reasonably believe the bear is inflicting or about to inflict great bodily harm to a human, injuring or killing a pet or livestock, or entering a building occupied by people. This change expands the circumstances under which lethal force can be used to protect livestock, thereby addressing concerns about wildlife interactions with agricultural operations. Overall, the bill seeks to provide more robust protections for livestock and crops while ensuring that reasonable nonlethal measures are prioritized.