The bill amends Section 20-16-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 20-16, entitled "Furbearing Animals," to update the list of protected furbearing mammals in the state. It specifies that no person shall hunt, pursue, shoot, or trap these mammals except in accordance with the rules and regulations set by the director pursuant to § 20-1-12. The bill includes insertions and deletions to the list of protected species. Notably, it adds the short-tailed weasel (Mustela erminea) to the genus Mustela, changes the genus of mink from Mustela to Neovision (N. vison), and updates the genus of the river otter from Lutra to Lontra. Additionally, it adds the striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) to the Family Mephitidae, the red squirrel (genus Tamiascurus) to the Family Sciuridae, the porcupine (genus Erethizon) to the Family Erethizontidae, and the black bear (genus Ursus) to the Family Ursidae.

The bill also provides an explanation by the Legislative Council, stating that the act would add additional species to the prohibition of hunting, shooting, or trapping, except as regulated by the Department of Environmental Management regarding hunting seasons and limits. The act is set to take effect upon passage, indicating that the changes to the law will be immediate once the bill is enacted.

Statutes affected:
5742: 20-16-1