Assembly Bill 117 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 to fund this program, with $1,875,000 allocated for the fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27.

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 includes provisions for issuing hunting permits, conducting a hunter education program, and implementing a cumulative preference system for permit allocation. The bill also raises the wildlife damage surcharge on hunting approvals to fund wildlife damage abatement programs, with the increases contingent on the establishment of a sandhill crane hunting season. Overall, the bill seeks to balance agricultural interests with wildlife management by allowing regulated hunting while providing support to farmers affected by crane damage.

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