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 stipulates that a charge dismissed under this section will not be considered a conviction for disqualifications or licensing purposes.

The legislation also authorizes the imposition of fees related to the hunter education course, including a reimbursement fee of up to $10 to cover administrative costs and an additional $10 fee for the course provider. Importantly, the bill exempts indigent defendants from paying 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.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: ()
House Committee Report: ()
Engrossed: ()
Senate Committee Report: ()
Enrolled: ()