The 2025 Senate Bill 112 aims to address issues related to the hunting of sandhill cranes and the damage they cause to agricultural crops, particularly corn. The bill directs the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) to establish a reimbursement program for farmers who purchase seed treatments to deter sandhill cranes from consuming corn seeds. Eligible applicants can receive up to 50% reimbursement for their seed treatment costs, capped at $6,250 per planting season. The bill also mandates that DATCP prioritize reimbursements based on specific criteria, including previous federal depredation permits and the vulnerability of the land to crane damage. Additionally, the bill creates a continuing appropriation of $1,875,000 for the program in the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years.

Furthermore, the bill authorizes the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to establish a hunting season for sandhill cranes, contingent upon approval from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It outlines the issuance of hunting permits, which will be regulated to control the number of hunters and cranes harvested, and includes provisions for a hunter education program. The bill also increases the wildlife damage surcharge on hunting approvals to fund wildlife damage abatement measures and claims, with the new rates contingent on the establishment of a sandhill crane hunting season. The bill includes various amendments and new sections to existing statutes to facilitate these changes, including the creation of specific provisions for sandhill crane hunting permits and the management of associated funds.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 20.370(5)(fq), 20.370, 29.179(4), 29.179