AB397: Bill Text

LRB-2134/1

EHS:eev:ph

2013 - 2014 LEGISLATURE

2013 Assembly BILL 397

October 1, 2013 - Introduced by Representatives Strachota, Born, Nass, Ripp and Vruwink, cosponsored by Senators Grothman, Moulton and L. Taylor. Referred to Committee on Natural Resources and Sporting Heritage.

AB397,1,3 An Act to renumber and amend 29.314 (1) (a); to amend 29.314 (4) (b) 2. and 29.314 (5) (b) 2.; and to create 29.314 (1) (ac) of the statutes; relating to: shining wild animals.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Current law generally prohibits a person from using, or possessing with intent to use, a light for shining wild animals while hunting or while in possession of a firearm, bow and arrow, or crossbow. Current law also generally prohibits a person from using, or possessing with intent to use, a light for shining wild animals between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. from September 15 to December 31. One exception to these prohibitions is that a person may possess a handheld flashlight or use a handheld flashlight at the point of kill while hunting on foot for wolves or for raccoons, foxes, coyotes, or other unprotected animals during the open season for the animals hunted.

This bill specifies that a person may also possess or use at the point of kill a battery operated light designed to be affixed to clothing or a part of the body or mounted to the scope of a firearm while hunting on foot for wolves or for raccoons, foxes, coyotes, or other unprotected animals during the open season for the animals hunted.

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

AB397,1 Section 1. 29.314 (1) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 29.314 (1) (ag) and amended to read:

AB397,2,4 29.314 (1) (ag) "Flashlight" means a battery operated light designed to be carried and held by hand or attached to clothing or a part of the body.

AB397,2 Section 2. 29.314 (1) (ac) of the statutes is created to read:

AB397,2,8 29.314 (1) (ac) "Firearm-mounted light" means a light that is battery operated and designed to be mounted on the scope of a firearm, but does not include a laser sighting device.

AB397,3 Section 3. 29.314 (4) (b) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB397,2,13 29.314 (4) (b) 2. To a person who possesses a flashlight or firearm-mounted light or who uses a flashlight or firearm-mounted light at the point of kill while hunting on foot for wolves or for raccoons, foxes, coyotes, or other unprotected animals during the open season for the animals hunted.

AB397,4 Section 4. 29.314 (5) (b) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB397,2,18 29.314 (5) (b) 2. To a person who possesses a flashlight or firearm-mounted light or who uses a flashlight or firearm-mounted light at the point of kill while hunting on foot for wolves or for raccoons, foxes, coyotes, or other unprotected animals during the open season for the animals hunted.

AB397,2,19 (End)