SB97: Bill Text

LRB-1252/1

MGG:hmh:pg

2001 - 2002 LEGISLATURE

2001 Senate BILL 97

March 20, 2001 - Introduced by Senators Decker and Schultz, cosponsored by Representatives Albers, Johnsrud and Plouff. Referred to Committee on Environmental Resources.

SB97,1,3 An Act to amend 29.181 (1b) (a) of the statutes; relating to: issuance of bonus deer hunting permits to certain farm owners who are engaged in the production of maple syrup.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current law, the department of natural resources (DNR) may issue bonus deer hunting permits (bonus permits) to residents and nonresidents who hold licenses that authorize the hunting of deer if DNR determines that the size or characteristics of the state's deer population require the hunting of additional or special types of deer. This bonus permit allows the holder to kill an additional deer of the sex or type authorized by DNR. Under current law, an applicant for this bonus permit must pay a fee for the permit. DNR may issue free bonus permits to farm owners who meet certain eligibility requirements. To be eligible, a farm owner must be a state resident and must have already purchased a bonus for a given season. Also the farm owner's land must be located in whole or in part in a deer management area where the number of available bonus permits exceed the number of permit applications or, in whole or in part, in an adjacent deer management area.

For purposes of this exemption from the bonus permit fee, current law defines a farm as being land used on a commercial basis for an agricultural purpose. This bill adds maple syrup production to the listing of agricultural purposes, thereby allowing owners of land used for maple syrup production to be eligible for these free bonus permits.

For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

SB97, s. 1 Section 1. 29.181 (1b) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB97,2,6 29.181 (1b) (a) "Agricultural purpose" means beekeeping, dairying, egg production, maple syrup production, feedlots, grazing, arboriculture, horticulture, floriculture, plant nurseries and green houses, raising of livestock, raising of poultry, aquaculture, fur farming or growing of vegetables, fruits, nuts, berries, grains, grass, sod, mint, or seed crops.

SB97, s. 2 Section 2. Effective date.

SB97,2,9 (1) This act takes effect on first day of the seventh month beginning after publication.

SB97,2,10 (End)