HB2687: Hunting elk; authorizes Board of GIF to create a special license.


HOUSE BILL NO. 2687
AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE
(Proposed by the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
on January 30, 2019)
(Patron Prior to Substitute--Delegate Morefield)
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 29.1-305.01, relating to special license for hunting elk.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 29.1-305.01 as follows:

§ 29.1-305.01. Special license to hunt elk; authority of Board to create elk license and quota hunts.

A. The Board may create a separate special license to hunt elk in designated areas of the Commonwealth, which shall be in addition to the license required to hunt other game. Any person, whether licensed or exempt from being licensed, shall possess (i) a valid state resident hunting license or state nonresident hunting license pursuant to § 29.1-303 and (ii) a special elk license in order to pursue elk.

B. Upon creation of a special license to hunt elk, the Board may establish quotas and procedures for selection to purchase a special elk license. Application for selection for a special elk license may require a nonrefundable application fee of $15 for residents and $20 for nonresidents. The fee for a special elk license shall be no more than $40 for residents and $400 for nonresidents.

C. The Board may establish guidelines permitting the transfer of special elk licenses to individuals or wildlife conservation organizations whose mission is to ensure the conservation of Virginia's wildlife resources.

D. As funds become available, the Board shall utilize a portion of the fees collected for special elk licenses to compensate an owner or lessee of agricultural land for agricultural damage directly caused by elk.

HOUSE BILL NO. 2687

Offered January 14, 2019
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 29.1-305.01, relating to special license for hunting elk.
Patron-- Morefield

Committee Referral Pending

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 29.1-305.01 as follows:

§ 29.1-305.01. Special license to hunt elk; authority of Board to create elk license and quota hunts.

A. The Board may create a separate special license to hunt elk in designated areas of the Commonwealth, which shall be in addition to the license required to hunt other game. Any person, whether licensed or exempt from being licensed, shall possess (i) a valid state resident hunting license or state nonresident hunting license pursuant to § 29.1-303 and (ii) a special elk license in order to pursue elk.

B. Upon creation of a special license to hunt elk, the Board shall establish quotas and procedures for selection to purchase a special elk license. Application for selection for a special elk license shall require a nonrefundable application fee of $15 for residents and $20 for nonresidents. Any individual submitting an application for a special elk license shall possess a valid Virginia hunting license at the time of application. The fee for a special elk license shall be no more than $40 for residents and $400 for nonresidents.

C. The Board may establish guidelines permitting the transfer of special elk licenses to individuals or wildlife conservation organizations whose mission is to ensure the conservation of Virginia's wildlife resources.