H.B. No. 654, also known as the Asp-Morgan Act, introduces provisions for the dismissal of certain criminal charges related to the illegal hunting of specific deer species, namely mule deer and white-tailed deer. The bill allows courts to defer proceedings for up to 180 days for defendants who meet specific criteria, including reporting the offense to a game warden, not retaining possession of the deer carcass, and successfully completing a hunter education course. If the defendant fulfills these conditions, the court is required to dismiss the charge without entering a guilty adjudication.

Additionally, the bill establishes reimbursement fees for defendants requesting a hunter education course, which may not exceed $10 for administrative costs and another $10 for the course provider's expenses. Importantly, the bill stipulates that these fees are non-refundable, regardless of the outcome of the course. It also ensures that indigent defendants are not required to pay these fees. The changes in law will apply only to offenses committed on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025.

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