SB37: Black vultures; control of those that pose danger to agricultural animals, etc.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That § 3.2-5904 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§ 3.2-5904. Authority of the Commissioner; coyotes; black vultures.
The Commissioner may enter into agreements with local and
state agencies, or other persons for the control of coyotes, black vultures
(Coragyps atratus), and other wildlife that pose a danger to agricultural
animals. The Commissioner shall enter into an agreement with the federal
government to reestablish establish and maintain the Virginia
Cooperative Coyote Damage Control Wildlife Damage Management
Program.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That § 3.2-5904 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§ 3.2-5904. Authority of the Commissioner; coyotes; black vultures.
The Commissioner may enter into agreements with local and
state agencies, or other persons for the control of coyotes, black vultures
(Coragyps atratus), and other wildlife that pose a danger to agricultural
animals. The Commissioner shall enter into an agreement with the federal
government to reestablish establish and maintain the Virginia
Cooperative Coyote Damage Control Wildlife Damage Management
Program.
SENATE BILL NO. 37
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 29.1-502.1 as follows:
§ 29.1-502.1. Black vultures.
A. The Board shall adopt regulations exempting the black vulture (Coragyps atratus) from any state regulatory prohibition against taking or possessing wildlife species not classified as game, furbearer, or nuisance.
B. The Department shall devote no state resources to the enforcement of provisions of the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act or regulations adopted thereunder by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) that protect the black vulture.
C. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections A and B, the Department shall continue to kill black vultures as permitted by USFWS; participate in all elements of the federal migratory bird depredation permit program and support the issuance in the Commonwealth of permits thereunder; participate in black vulture studies and management programs; and work with other state and federal agencies and organizations to document and reduce the damage to agricultural resources and property and the threat to public safety caused by black vultures in the Commonwealth.