The bill amends Section 20-15-7 of the General Laws in Chapter 20-15, which is entitled "Deer Hunting." The amendment changes the title of the section to "Wildlife colliding with vehicles" from "Deer colliding with vehicles." It broadens the scope of the law from just deer to include all wildlife. The bill requires the owner of a vehicle that has been substantially damaged by a collision with wildlife to report the accident to the Department of Environmental Management within 24 hours.

The bill removes the previous requirement for a conservation officer to investigate the collision and issue a certificate for the ownership of the deer carcass. Instead, the Department of Environmental Management is tasked with creating rules and regulations governing the possession and use of any animal carcass resulting from such a collision. Additionally, the driver involved in the collision with a deer is given the right of first refusal to possess and use the deer carcass. The act will take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
2810  as amended: 20-15-7
2810: 20-15-7