SPONSOR: Boggs
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Government Efficiency by a vote of 11 to 5.
This bill prohibits the Department of Conservation from requiring a landowner to register his or her property before receiving any landowner hunting permit or to possess a permit to take wildlife on his or her property.
The Conservation Commission must issue landowner hunting permits requested by any resident or nonresident landowner who owns at least five acres of real property. In addition, once a year, any landowner who qualifies for landowner hunting permits may request a hunting permit for a nonresident immediate family member allowing the taking of wildlife on the landowner's property for a two-day period. The Commission must issue the two-day permit free of charge.
This bill is the same as HB 1787 (2024).
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that having family and friends over to hunt is important to encourage hunting traditions and heritage. The rights of private landowners should be taken into consideration
Testifying in person for the bill were Representative Boggs and Arnie Dienoff.
OPPONENTS: Those who oppose the bill say that the registry keeps individuals honest and fair and doing the right thing is important for the conservation of animals and hunting opportunities.
Testifying in person against the bill was Tyler Schwartze, Conservation Federation of MO.
Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony and witnesses testifying online can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website.
Statutes affected: