Anti

H.B. No. 6755 (RAISED) AN ACT CONCERNING THE AUTHORITY OF CONSERVATION OFFICERS was a NEW Proposal (Substitute Language) which would have affected ALL hunters in the state. The JFS (Joint Favorable Substitute)-Floor recommendation by the leadership of the Environment Committee, Wednesday, April 4th would:

1. NOT ALLOW the carrying of an UNLOADED Rifle/Shotgun INTO a hunting area PRIOR to the opening hunting time except for the statutory provision for Turkey/Deer [see sec (j) below] which would also be affected.
2. Similarly, an UNLOADED Rifle/Shotgun Must be taken OUT of a hunting area BEFORE the hunting time expires.
3. ANY UNLOADED Rifle/Shotgun would be subject to the "reasonable person" criteria which is adequate for a loaded firearm, but not for unloaded.
4. Subject you to a year in jail, $250 fine, and lose your hunting rights for a year!!!

This proposal would seriously affect DEP wildlife management, and all hunters. Whoever wrote this missed the point when the same issue was discussed for the last two years before finalizing passage last year of AN ACT CONCERNING HUNTING SAFETY, which is proving beneficial - WE DON'T NEED CHANGES!

The underlying original bill HB 6755, AN ACT CONCERNING THE MURDER OF A CONSERVATION OFFICER. To make it a capital felony to murder a conservation officer who is acting within the scope of the officer's duties - was one of the highest priorities for the Commissioner DEP.

We were informed this proposal is the product of Sen. Williams (Co-Chair of Environment Committee) and told the Substitute will be turned into an amendment (NEW Language only) to the original bill HB 6755, An Act Concerning the Murder of a Conservation Officer - each would be voted on separately. That was not to be the case. The Agenda called for the Substitute and that was presented.

Much discussion ensued about seasons, an amendment to revert back to the CO original bill (Piscipo), the impact of elimination of night Raccoon hunting (Mordasky), and attempts by (Davis) to extend the hours before/after hunting to allow some reasonable time. CCS was asked to provide a solution and we refused based upon last years negotiations which are reasonable. In the end, both the Substitute and the underlying CO bill died based on a move by Sen. Cook to amend Proposed Bill 873, AAC Staff Levels in Indian Affairs and to change the title. The bill number remains the same.

Thanks to your e-mail, letters & other input, the bill died, but not easily. We used two of your letters as handouts to the committee which had significant impact. Will the proposal be back? Doubtful.

http://www.cga.state.ct.us/default.asp

Proposed Substitute Bill No. 6755
LCO No. 5171 [ 6 pages - essentially a copy of last year's bill with the following changes (underlined)]