Senate Bill No. 146 aims to enhance the protection of agricultural crops and livestock from wildlife by revising existing laws regarding the use of deadly force against bears and the issuance of permits for taking nuisance wildlife. The bill allows individuals to use deadly physical force against bears if they reasonably believe the bear is injuring or killing their controlled livestock, expanding the current law that permits such action only in cases of imminent harm to humans or pets. Additionally, the bill modifies the conditions under which the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) can issue permits for taking wildlife that threatens agricultural crops. Specifically, it removes the requirement for property owners or lessees to first attempt reasonable nonlethal measures to protect their crops before obtaining a permit. It also allows permits to be issued for wildlife that caused damage during the previous growing season, as verified by DEEP.

The bill includes several key insertions and deletions to current law. Notably, it inserts provisions that allow for the issuance of permits for wildlife that caused damage in the preceding growing season and specifies that applications for these permits will not require notarization. It also deletes the requirement for property owners to have attempted reasonable nonlethal efforts to protect their crops before obtaining a permit. Furthermore, the bill stipulates that any permit issued must detail the means and methods for taking the wildlife and prohibits the taking of federally protected species. The bill is expected to have fiscal implications, including costs associated with monitoring crop damage and issuing permits, as well as potential revenue increases from permit fees.