SB 1745

Abstract

Amends the Wildlife Code. Repeals provisions authorizing, under certain conditions, drainage districts to control beaver populations. Provides that a drainage district, road district or similar body, landowner, tenant, or the designee of a drainage district, road district, landowner, or tenant shall be exempt from the requirement to obtain a permit to control nuisance raccoons, opossums, muskrats, skunks, coyotes, or beavers if all applicable provisions for licenses are complied with and any trap types and sizes used are in compliance with the Act, including marking or identification. Provides that landowners, tenants, or their designees may remove cottontail rabbits or grey or fox squirrels from their property, but only by means of a live trap, if the cottontail rabbits and grey or fox squirrels are released alive and unharmed in suitable habitat that is not within any city or town and not within any park. Provides that the designee of a drainage district, road district, landowner, or tenant must have a signed and dated written authorization from the drainage district, landowner, or tenant in possession at all times when conducting animal control activities. Provides that the exemption from obtaining a permit shall be valid only upon property owned, leased, or controlled by the drainage district, road district, landowner, or tenant. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes provision that landowners, tenants, or their designees may remove cottontail rabbits or grey or fox squirrels from their property, but only by means of a live trap, if the cottontail rabbits and grey or fox squirrels are released alive and unharmed in suitable habitat that is not within any city or town and not within any park. Deletes references to designees of road districts, landowners, and tenants. Provides that the exemption from obtaining a permit to control nuisance raccoons, opossums, muskrats, skunks, coyotes, or beavers shall be valid only upon property owned, leased, or controlled by the drainage district (rather than property owned, leased, or controlled by the drainage district, road district, landowner, or tenant). Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes provision that landowners, tenants, or their designees may remove cottontail rabbits or grey or fox squirrels from their property, but only by means of a live trap, if the cottontail rabbits and grey or fox squirrels are released alive and unharmed in suitable habitat that is not within any city or town and not within any park. Deletes references to landowners and tenants. Provides that for purposes of the provisions concerning the authority to kill wildlife causing damage, provides that a "road district" includes a township road district.