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. The amendment includes changes to the classification of certain species and the addition of new species under the protection. Specifically, the bill adds the short-tailed weasel to the genus Mustela, changes the genus for mink to Neovision, updates the genus for river otter to Lontra, and adds the striped skunk under the Family Mephitidae. Additionally, the red squirrel under the genus Tamiasciurus and the porcupine under the Family Erethizontidae are newly included as protected species. The black bear is also added under the Family Ursidae.

The bill stipulates that no person shall hunt, pursue, shoot, or trap these furbearing mammals except in accordance with the rules and regulations regarding seasons, bag limits, and methods of taking as adopted by the director pursuant to § 20-1-12. The act would take effect immediately upon passage, reinforcing the state's commitment to the conservation of wildlife by regulating the hunting and trapping of these species. The explanation by the Legislative Council clarifies that the act aims to add additional species to the list of those protected from hunting, shooting, or trapping, except under the specific rules and regulations set by the department of environmental management.

Statutes affected:
624: 20-16-1