Bill Summaries: H 559 OUTDOOR HERITAGE ENHANCED.

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  • Summary date: Jul 25 2017 - View Summary

    AN ACT TO EXPAND THE USE OF FIREARMS FOR HUNTING OF WILD ANIMALS AND UPLAND GAME BIRDS ON SUNDAY AND TO ALLOW HUNTING OF MIGRATORY BIRDS ON SUNDAY. Enacted July 25, 2017. Section 3(a) is effective October 1, 2017. The remainder is effective July 25, 2017.


  • Summary date: Jun 29 2017 - View Summary

    Conference committee makes the following changes to the 5th edition.

    Amends GS 153A-129 (Firearms). Requires a county ordinance to prohibit hunting on Sunday as allowed under GS 103-2 to be approved by a majority of those voting in a county-wide referendum, held under GS 163-287. Effective October 1, 2017.

    Makes a conforming change to SL 2015-144, Section 5(c).


  • Summary date: Jun 20 2017 - View Summary

    Senate committee substitute makes the following changes to the 4th edition.

    Further modifies the proposed changes to GS 103-2 (Method of take when hunting on Sunday). Deletes the proposed elimination of subdivision (a)(1), maintaining the existing limitation prohibiting hunting on Sunday between 9:30 AM and 12:30 PM, except in controlled hunting preserves licensed pursuant to GS 113-273(g), that applies to any landowner or member of the landowner's family, or any person with written permission from the landowner hunting on Sunday on the landowner's property. Adds to the limitations concerning hunting wild animals and upland game birds with firearms on Sunday on public lands of the State managed for hunting that are set out in proposed subsection (a1), to prohibit hunting on Sunday between 9:30 AM and 12:30 PM. Further, adds to the limitations concerning hunting of migratory birds on Sunday when authorized by proclamation or rules of the Wildlife Resource Commission set out in proposed subsection (a2), to prohibit hunting on Sunday between 9:30 AM and 12:30 PM, except on controlled hunting preserves licensed pursuant to GS 113-273(g). Makes organizational changes to proposed subsection (a2).

    Deletes the proposed changes to Section 5(c) of SL 2015-144, which delayed the effective date of Section 5(b) of SL 2015-144 (which amends GS 153A-129, authorizing counties to prohibit hunting on Sunday as allowed in GS 103-2).

    Makes conforming organizational changes.


  • Summary date: Jun 14 2017 - View Summary

    Senate committee substitute makes the following changes to the 3rd edition.

    Amends GS 103-2 (Method of take when hunting on Sunday). Replaces the currently proposed prohibitions on hunting of wild animals and upland game birds on Sunday on private land or on public lands of the State managed for hunting within 500 yards of a place of worship in existence on or before June 1, 2017, or any accessory structure thereof, with a prohibition on hunting on Sunday within 500 yards of a place of religious worship, as defined by GS 14-54.1, or any accessory structure thereof (deleting the requirement that it exist by the particular date). Makes an identical replacement to the prohibition of hunting migratory birds on Sunday within 500 yards of a place of worship.


  • Summary date: Jun 6 2017 - View Summary

    Senate committee substitute makes the following changes to the 2nd edition. 

    Modifies the limitations set forth in GS 103-2, concerning the method of take when hunting on Sunday. Amends subsection (a), allowing any landowner or member of the landowner's family, or any person with written permission from the landowner, to hunt wild animals and upland game birds on Sunday, provided that hunting on Sunday within 500 yards of a place of worship in existence on or before June 1, 2017, or any accessory structure thereof, is prohibited (currently, does not specify a date of existence to which the prohibition applies to places of worship, and also prohibits hunting on Sunday within 500 yards of a residence not owned by the landowner). Similarly, amends proposed subdivision (a1)(2), allowing any person to hunt wild animals and upland game birds on Sunday on public lands of the State managed for hunting, provided that hunting on Sunday within 500 yards of a place of worship in existence on or before June 1, 2017, or any accessory structure thereof, is prohibited (previously, did not specify a date of existence to which the prohibition applies to places of worship, and also prohibited hunting on Sunday within 500 yards of a residence). Further, modifies proposed subsection (a2), allowing the hunting of migratory birds on Sunday if authorized by proclamation or rules of the Wildlife Resources Commission, provided that hunting on Sunday within 500 yards of a place of worship in existence on or before June 1, 2017, or any accessory structure thereof, is prohibited (previously, did not specify a date of existence to which the prohibition applies to places of worship, and also prohibited hunting on Sunday within 500 yards of a residence). Makes organizational changes to subsection (a2).

    Adds a new section amending Section 5(c) of SL 2015-144. Establishes that Section 5(b) of SL 2015-144 is effective October 1, 2020 (currently, October 1, 2017). Section 5(b) of SL 2015-144 amends GS 153A-129, authorizing counties to prohibit hunting on Sunday as allowed in GS 103-2, and sets out requirements that such an ordinance must meet. Makes conforming changes.

    Makes conforming technical changes. 


  • Summary date: Apr 24 2017 - View Summary

    House committee substitute makes the following change to the 1st edition:

    Amends GS 103-2 to prohibit hunting of wild animals, upland game birds, and migratory birds on Sundays within 500 yards of a place of worship, or any accessory structure, or a residence not owned by the landowner (1st edition limits this restriction to the period between 9:30 AM and 12:30 PM on Sundays). Prohibits the hunting of migratory birds on Sunday, except as authorized by Wildlife Resources Commission rule or proclamation. Prohibits the Wildlife Resources Commission from authorizing hunting on Sundays prior to March 1, 2018.

    Deletes the provision directing the Wildlife Resources Commission to adopt permanent rules.

    Directs the Wildlife Resources Commission to study the impact of hunting migratory birds on Sunday, and to submit its findings to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and the chairs of the House Committee on Wildlife Resources by March 1, 2018.

    Makes the act effective when it becomes law.


  • Summary date: Apr 4 2017 - View Summary

    Amends GS 103-2 (Method of take when hunting on Sunday). Authorizes landowners, landowners' family members, and persons with written permission from the landowner, subject to rules established by the Wildlife Resources Commission, to hunt wild animals and upland game birds with firearms on Sunday on the landowner's property, subject to the following limitations: the use of a firearm to take deer that are run or chased by dogs on Sunday is prohibited, and hunting on Sunday within 500 yards of a place of worship or a residence not owned by the landowner is prohibited between 9:30 AM and 12:30 PM. Provides that hunting on Sunday is allowed on licensed controlled hunting reserves at any time. Any current restrictions not listed above are deleted. Authorizes persons, subject to rules established by the Wildlife Resources Commission, to hunt wild animals and upland game birds with firearms on Sunday on public lands of the state managed for hunting, subject to the same provisions listed above. Authorizes the hunting of migratory birds on Sunday on private and public lands, and public waters, subject to rules adopted by the Wildlife Resources Commission. Further subjects persons who hunt in a manner prohibited by Wildlife Resources Commission rules to the Class 3 misdemeanor for hunting in violation of this statute. Exempts military reservations, Wildlife Resources Commission field trials, and self-defense. Authorizes wildlife protectors to enforce this statute. Effective when the rules described below become effective.

    Directs the Wildlife Resources Commission to adopt permanent rules to regulate the time and location of Sunday hunting of migratory birds, using the procedure and time lines for temporary rules, subject to review by the Rules Review Commission, effective as provided by GS 150B-21.3(b).