AB736: Bill Text

AB736, s. 30 Section 30. 29.1085 (2m) (title) of the statutes, as created by 1997 Wisconsin Act 1, is amended to read:

AB736,12,10 29.1085 (2m) (title) Exemption Exemptions.

AB736, s. 31 Section 31. 29.1085 (2m) of the statutes, as created by 1997 Wisconsin Act 1, is renumbered 29.1085 (2m) (a).

AB736, s. 32 Section 32. 29.1085 (2m) (b) of the statutes is created to read:

AB736,12,16 29.1085 (2m) (b) If a disabled person holds either a Class A or a Class B bear license, a person who accompanies and assists the disabled person may engage in the activities authorized under sub. (2) (br) 1. to 3. without holding a Class B bear license.

Note: Under current statutes, a person who holds a Class A bear license may bait bear and may use and train dogs to track bear. A person who holds a Class B bear license may assist a person with a Class A bear license in hunting bear but may not shoot at, shoot or otherwise take a bear. A person who holds a Class B bear license may also bait bear and use and train dogs to track or otherwise locate bear. The current statutes provide one exemption that allows a child under the age of 12 to engage in the activities authorized under a Class B bear license without obtaining a Class B bear license. This bill creates an additional exemption from the requirement to obtain a Class B bear license for a person who accompanies and is assisting a disabled person who holds either a Class A or Class B bear license.

AB736, s. 33 Section 33. 29.117 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB736,13,7 29.117 (2) Authorization. The nonresident archer hunting license authorizes the hunting of all game, except bear, wild turkey and fur-bearing animals, during the open season for the hunting of that game with a bow and arrow. This license authorizes hunting with a bow and arrow only and does not authorize hunting with a crossbow unless hunting with a crossbow is authorized by a Class A, Class B, or Class C permit issued under s. 29.09 (9).

Note: Under the current statutes, a nonresident archer hunting license authorizes hunting with a bow and arrow and does not authorize hunting with a crossbow. This bill amends this provision to permit the use of a crossbow by disabled nonresidents who are determined by the DNR to be qualified for such a permit.

AB736, s. 34 Section 34. 29.174 (2) (f) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB736,13,15 29.174 (2) (f) In addition to the types and manner of hunting authorized under ss. 29.09 (9) and 29.104 (4) for disabled persons and persons who are visually handicapped, as defined in s. 29.09 (9) (a) 5., the The department may modify any requirement of this chapter or rules promulgated under it, establish special hunting seasons, authorize the use of special equipment or take any other action in order to provide additional hunting and fishing opportunities for persons who are physically disabled or visually handicapped and may limit the number of persons involved.

Note: The current statutes authorize the DNR to establish special hunting seasons or opportunities for persons who are physically disabled or visually handicapped and authorizes the DNR to limit the number of persons involved. This bill expands this provision to allow the DNR to modify any statute or rule related to hunting or fishing and to authorize any activity or use of special equipment or take any other action in order to provide additional opportunities for persons who are physically disabled or visually handicapped to hunt or fish.

AB736, s. 35 Section 35. 29.245 (4) (b) 3. of the statutes is created to read:

AB736,14,2 29.245 (4) (b) 3. To a person who possesses or uses a light while using a bow and arrow for taking rough fish on lakes that are not outlying waters.

Note: The current statute prohibits the use of lights for shining wild animals. This bill creates an exception for the use of lights for bow fishing for rough fish on inland lakes only. Counties will continue to have authority to regulate or prohibit shining within the county boundaries, notwithstanding this exemption from the statutory prohibition.

AB736, s. 36 Section 36. 29.27 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB736,14,19 29.27 (3) A blind situated on state-owned property and used in hunting waterfowl must bear the name of the owner affixed permanently to the blind in lettering one-inch square or larger. The blind may be erected not more than 7 days prior to the opening of the waterfowl hunting season, as prescribed by the department, and must be removed within 7 days after the close of the season unless the department approves an extension of the deadline for removal due to compelling personal needs of the owner. A blind situated on state-owned property which does not bear the name of the owner as prescribed by this section is a public nuisance. The department may seize all such nuisances and may destroy or sell the blinds in the name of the state. The department and its deputies are exempt from all liability to the owner for the seizure and destruction or sale of the blind. The owner is responsible for removing the blind within 7 days after the close of the waterfowl hunting season. Any owner who erects a blind more than 7 days prior to the opening of the waterfowl hunting season or who does not remove a blind within 7 days after the close of the waterfowl season, or by a later date approved by the department, shall be subject to a forfeiture of not less than $10 nor more than $200.

Note: The current statute requires the owner of a waterfowl blind that is situated on state property to remove it within 7 days after the close of the waterfowl season. A penalty is provided for failure to remove the blind. This bill amends the current statute to allow the owner of the blind to obtain the permission of the department for an extension of the deadline to remove the blind due to compelling personal needs of the owner. This will allow the property owner to extend the deadline, if the requirement to remove the blind will be a hardship for the owner.

AB736, s. 37 Section 37. 29.45 (2m) of the statutes is created to read:

AB736,15,5 29.45 (2m) Any person may transport an antlerless deer killed under the authority of his or her hunter's choice, bonus or other deer hunting permit on any highway, as defined s. 340.01 (22), in order to register the deer in the deer management area where the dear was killed or in an adjoining management area.

Note: This bill allows a person who takes an antlerless deer under an antlerless deer hunting permit to transport the deer to be registered in the deer management unit where the deer was killed or an adjoining unit but does not require, as do current rules, that the transportation be by federal or state highways.

AB736, s. 38 Section 38. 167.31 (4) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB736,15,8 167.31 (4) (c) Subsection (2) (b) and (c) does not apply to the holder of a Class A or Class B permit under s. 29.09 (9) (c) who is hunting from a stationary vehicle.

AB736, s. 39 Section 39. 167.31 (4) (cg) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB736,15,13 167.31 (4) (cg) (intro.) A holder of a Class A or Class B permit under s. 29.09 (9) (c) 1. who is hunting from a stationary vehicle may load and discharge a firearm or shoot a bolt or an arrow within 50 feet of the center of a roadway if all of the following apply:

AB736, s. 40 Section 40. 167.31 (4) (cm) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB736,15,17 167.31 (4) (cm) For purposes of pars. (c) and (cg), the exemption from sub. (2) (b) under these paragraphs only applies to the firearm, bow or crossbow being used for hunting by the holder of the Class A or Class B permit under s. 29.09 (9) (c) 1.

Note: Currently, a disabled state resident holding a Class A permit is exempt from certain restrictions on hunting from a roadway. A Class A permit is issued to a person with a permanent disability. This bill expands these exceptions to apply also to the holder of a Class B permit, which is issued to a person with temporary disabilities, if the Class B permit issued by the DNR specifically authorizes the hunting methods covered by the exemption.

AB736, s. 41 Section 41. 167.31 (4) (f) of the statutes is created to read:

AB736,16,3 167.31 (4) (f) Subsection (2) (d) does not prohibit a person from possessing a loaded firearm within 50 feet of the center of a roadway if the person does not violate sub. (2) (b) or (c).

Note: Current s. 167.31 (2) (d) provides that no person may discharge a firearm within 50 feet of the center of a roadway. This bill clarifies that the prohibition on discharging a firearm within 50 feet of the center of a roadway does not prohibit the person from possessing a loaded firearm within 50 feet of the center of a roadway, if the person does not violate the restrictions in s. 167.31 (2) (b) and (c) regarding possession of a firearm in or on a vehicle and loading or discharging a firearm in or from a vehicle.

AB736, s. 42 Section 42. 167.31 (4m) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB736,16,13 167.31 (4m) Rules. The department may further restrict hunting from stationary vehicles on county or town highways by promulgating rules designating certain county and town highways, or portions thereof, upon which a holder of a Class A or Class B permit issued under s. 29.09 (9) (c) 1. may not discharge a firearm or shoot a bolt or an arrow from a bow or crossbow under sub. (4) (cg). For each restriction of hunting from a county or town highway contained in a rule to be promulgated under this subsection, the department shall submit a specific justification for the restriction with the rule submitted to legislative council staff for review under s. 227.15 (1).

AB736, s. 43 Section 43. 941.20 (3) (b) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB736,16,17 941.20 (3) (b) 2. Paragraph (a) does not apply to the holder of a permit under s. 29.09 (9) (c) who is hunting from a standing vehicle, as defined in s. 29.09 (9) (a) 4., in accordance with s. 29.09 (9) (cr) 2.

AB736, s. 44 Section 44. Nonstatutory provisions; natural resources.

AB736,16,19 (1) Revenue sources for fish and wildlife account.

AB736,16,22 (a) The department of natural resources shall study the potential for new or increased sources of revenue for the fish and wildlife account of the conservation fund.

AB736,17,1 (b) The scope of the study shall be limited to the following issues:

AB736,17,4 1. Proposals for the creation of new licenses, permits, approvals or fees for the use of state-owned property under the jurisdiction of the department of natural resources.

AB736,17,7 2. A review of current fees that are paid into the conservation fund to determine if the fees adequately compensate the state for the services provided to those who use state land.

AB736,17,9 3. The potential for using general purpose revenues, including an earmarked sales tax increase, as a supplement to the conservation fund.

AB736,17,10 (c) The study shall include the following provisions:

AB736,17,13 1. An analysis of the activities on state-owned property that do not currently require a fee or for which the current fees do not reflect the costs and benefits of the activity.

AB736,17,16 2. Proposals for new or increased fees, including recommendations regarding reduced fees or exemptions for designated groups, such as persons under the age of 18.

AB736,17,19 3. Proposals for implementing and collecting any new fees, including issues regarding the methods of imposing the fees, costs of collection and enforcement issues.

AB736,17,21 4. The potential for overlap of any proposed new fees with fees that are currently charged to users of public land.

AB736,17,22 5. Projections of the potential income from new or increased fees.

AB736,17,24 6. An analysis of how future changes in licensing technology and procedures, such as computerized licenses, may affect proposals for new or expanded fees.

AB736,18,4 (d) In conducting the study required in this subsection, the department of natural resources shall consult with organizations representing individuals who use state-owned property under the jurisdiction of the department and organizations representing the tourism and hospitality industries.

AB736,18,8 (e) The department of natural resources shall submit a report summarizing its findings and recommendations no later than January 1, 1999, to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature in the manner provided under section 13.172 (3) of the statutes.

AB736, s. 45 Section 45. Effective dates. This act takes effect on the day after publication, except as follows:

AB736,18,12 (1) The repeal and recreation of section 29.09 (1m) of the statutes takes effect on January 1, 1999.

AB736,18,13 (End)