Kentucky 2024 2024 Regular Session

Kentucky House Bill HB586 Introduced / Bill

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AN ACT relating to the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. 1 
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: 2 
Section 1.   KRS 15.420 is amended to read as follows: 3 
As used in KRS 15.410 to 15.510, unless the context otherwise requires: 4 
(1) "Cabinet" means the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet; 5 
(2) (a) "Police officer" means: 6 
1. A local officer, limited to: 7 
a. A full-time: 8 
i. Member of a lawfully organized police department of 9 
county, urban-county, or city government; or 10 
ii. Sheriff or full-time deputy sheriff, including any sheriff 11 
providing court security or appointed under KRS 70.030; 12 
b. A school resource officer as defined in KRS 158.441; or 13 
c. One (1) of the following who is otherwise eligible for an annual 14 
supplement established in accordance with KRS 15.460, but who 15 
does not receive one: 16 
i. An officer serving on a joint task force; 17 
ii. A detective employed by a county attorney;  18 
iii. A process server for juvenile courts within a consolidated 19 
local government; and 20 
iv. A local alcoholic beverage control investigator appointed 21 
pursuant to KRS Chapter 241; and 22 
2. A state officer, limited to: 23 
a. A public university police officer; 24 
b. A Kentucky state trooper; 25 
c. A Kentucky State Police arson investigator; 26 
d. A Kentucky State Police hazardous device investigator; 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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e. A Kentucky State Police legislative security specialist; 1 
f. A Kentucky vehicle enforcement officer; 2 
g. A Kentucky Horse Park mounted patrol officer, subject to KRS 3 
15.460(1)(f); 4 
h. A Kentucky state park ranger, subject to KRS 15.460(1)(f); 5 
i. An agriculture investigator; 6 
j. A charitable gaming investigator; 7 
k. An alcoholic beverage control investigator; 8 
l. An insurance fraud investigator; 9 
m. An Attorney General investigator; 10 
n. A Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources game 11 
warden[conservation officer], subject to KRS 15.460(1)(e); and 12 
o. Any detective for a Commonwealth's attorney who would 13 
otherwise be eligible for a supplement established in accordance 14 
with KRS 15.460, but who does not receive one; 15 
 who is responsible for the prevention and detection of crime and the 16 
enforcement of the general criminal laws of the state; 17 
(b) "Police officer" does not include any sheriff who earns the maximum 18 
constitutional salary for this office, any special deputy sheriff appointed under 19 
KRS 70.045, any constable, deputy constable, district detective, deputy 20 
district detective, special local peace officer, auxiliary police officer, or any 21 
other peace officer not specifically authorized in KRS 15.410 to 15.510; 22 
(3) "Police department" means the employer of a police officer; 23 
(4) "Retirement plan" means a defined benefit plan consisting of required employer 24 
contributions pursuant to KRS 61.565, 61.702, or any other provision of law; 25 
(5) "Unit of government" means any city, county, combination of cities and counties, 26 
public university, state agency, local school district, or county sheriff's office of the 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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Commonwealth; and 1 
(6) "Validated job task analysis" means the core job description that describes the 2 
minimum entry level requirements, qualifications, and training requirements for 3 
peace officers in the Commonwealth, and that is based upon an actual survey and 4 
study of police officer duties and responsibilities conducted by an entity recognized 5 
by the council as being competent to conduct such a study. 6 
Section 2.   KRS 15.440 is amended to read as follows: 7 
(1) Each unit of government that meets the following requirements shall be eligible to 8 
share in the distribution of funds from the Law Enforcement Foundation Program 9 
fund: 10 
(a) Employs one (1) or more police officers; 11 
(b) Pays every police officer at least the minimum federal wage; 12 
(c) Requires all police officers to have, at a minimum, a high school degree, or its 13 
equivalent as determined by the council, except that each police officer 14 
employed prior to the date on which the officer's police department was 15 
included as a participant under KRS 15.410 to 15.510 shall be deemed to have 16 
met the requirements of this subsection; 17 
(d) 1. Requires all police officers to successfully complete a basic training 18 
course of nine hundred twenty-eight (928) hours' duration within one (1) 19 
year of the date of employment at a school certified or recognized by the 20 
council, which may provide a different number of hours of instruction as 21 
established in this paragraph, except that each police officer employed 22 
prior to the date on which the officer's police department was included 23 
as a participant under KRS 15.410 to 15.510 shall be deemed to have 24 
met the requirements of this subsection. 25 
2. As the exclusive method by which the number of hours required for 26 
basic training courses shall be modified from that which is specifically 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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established by this paragraph, the council may, by the promulgation of 1 
administrative regulations in accordance with the provisions of KRS 2 
Chapter 13A, explicitly set the exact number of hours for basic training 3 
at a number different from nine hundred twenty-eight (928) hours based 4 
upon a training curriculum approved by the Kentucky Law Enforcement 5 
Council as determined by a validated job task analysis. 6 
3. If the council sets an exact number of hours different from nine hundred 7 
twenty-eight (928) in an administrative regulation as provided by this 8 
paragraph, it shall not further change the number of hours required for 9 
basic training without promulgating administrative regulations in 10 
accordance with the provisions of KRS Chapter 13A. 11 
4. Nothing in this paragraph shall be interpreted to prevent the council, 12 
pursuant to its authority under KRS 15.330, from approving training 13 
schools with a curriculum requiring attendance of a number of hours 14 
that exceeds nine hundred twenty-eight (928) hours or the number of 15 
hours established in an administrative regulation as provided by 16 
subparagraphs 2. and 3. of this paragraph. However, the training 17 
programs and schools for the basic training of law enforcement 18 
personnel conducted by the department pursuant to KRS 15A.070 shall 19 
not contain a curriculum that requires attendance of a number of hours 20 
for basic training that is different from nine hundred twenty-eight (928) 21 
hours or the number of hours established in an administrative regulation 22 
promulgated by the council pursuant to the provisions of KRS Chapter 23 
13A as provided by subparagraphs 2. and 3. of this paragraph. 24 
5. KRS 15.400 and 15.404(1) and subparagraphs 1. to 4. of this paragraph 25 
to the contrary notwithstanding, the council may, through the 26 
promulgation of administrative regulations in accordance with KRS 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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Chapter 13A, approve basic training credit for: 1 
a. Years of service credit as a law enforcement officer with previous 2 
service in another state; and 3 
b. Basic training completed in another state. 4 
6. KRS 15.400 and 15.404(1) and subparagraphs 1. to 4. of this paragraph 5 
to the contrary notwithstanding, the council may, through the 6 
promulgation of administrative regulations in accordance with KRS 7 
Chapter 13A, approve basic training credit for: 8 
a. Completion of eight hundred forty-eight (848) hours of training at 9 
a school established pursuant to KRS 15A.070; 10 
b. A minimum of fifteen (15) years of experience as a certified law 11 
enforcement instructor at a school established pursuant to KRS 12 
15A.070; 13 
c. Completion of an average of forty (40) hours of Kentucky Law 14 
Enforcement Council approved in-service training annually from 15 
January 1, 1997, through January 1, 2020; 16 
d. Three (3) years of active, full-time service as a: 17 
i.  City, county, urban-county, charter county, consolidated 18 
local, or unified local government police officer; 19 
ii. Sheriff's deputy, excluding special deputies appointed under 20 
KRS 70.045; 21 
iii. Department of Kentucky State Police officer; or 22 
iv. Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources game 23 
warden[conservation officer] exercising peace officer 24 
powers under KRS 150.090; and 25 
e. Completion of the: 26 
i. Twenty-four (24) hour legal update Penal Code course; 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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ii. Sixteen (16) hour legal update constitutional procedure 1 
course; and 2 
iii. Forty (40) hour basic officer skills course within one (1) year 3 
prior to applying for certification; 4 
(e) Requires all police officers to successfully complete each calendar year an in-5 
service training course, appropriate to the officer's rank and responsibility and 6 
the size and location of the officer's police department, of forty (40) hours' 7 
duration, at a school certified or recognized by the council which may include 8 
a four (4) hour course which meets the requirements of paragraph (j) of this 9 
subsection. This in-service training requirement shall be waived for the period 10 
of time that a peace officer is serving on active duty in the United States 11 
Armed Forces. This waiver shall be retroactive for peace officers from the 12 
date of September 11, 2001; 13 
(f) Complies with all provisions of law applicable to police officers or police 14 
departments, including transmission of data to the centralized criminal history 15 
record information system as required by KRS 17.150 and transmission of 16 
reports as required by KRS 15.391; 17 
(g) Complies with all rules and regulations, appropriate to the size and location of 18 
the police department issued by the cabinet to facilitate the administration of 19 
the fund and further the purposes of KRS 15.410 to 15.510; 20 
(h) Possesses a written policy and procedures manual related to domestic violence 21 
for law enforcement agencies that has been approved by the cabinet. The 22 
policy shall comply with the provisions of KRS 403.715 to 403.785. The 23 
policy shall include a purpose statement; definitions; supervisory 24 
responsibilities; procedures for twenty-four (24) hour access to protective 25 
orders; procedures for enforcement of court orders or relief when protective 26 
orders are violated; procedures for timely and contemporaneous reporting of 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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adult abuse and domestic violence to the Cabinet for Health and Family 1 
Services, Department for Community Based Services; victim rights, 2 
assistance, and service responsibilities; and duties related to timely 3 
completion of records; 4 
(i) Possesses by January 1, 2023, a written policy and procedures manual related 5 
to sexual assault examinations that meets the standards provided by, and has 6 
been approved by, the cabinet, and which includes: 7 
1. A requirement that evidence collected as a result of an examination 8 
performed under KRS 216B.400 be taken into custody within five (5) 9 
days of notice from the collecting facility that the evidence is available 10 
for retrieval; 11 
2. A requirement that evidence received from a collecting facility relating 12 
to an incident which occurred outside the jurisdiction of the police 13 
department be transmitted to a police department with jurisdiction 14 
within ten (10) days of its receipt by the police department; 15 
3. A requirement that all evidence retrieved from a collecting facility under 16 
this paragraph be transmitted to the Department of Kentucky State 17 
Police forensic laboratory within thirty (30) days of its receipt by the 18 
police department; 19 
4. A requirement that a suspect standard, if available, be transmitted to the 20 
Department of Kentucky State Police forensic laboratory with the 21 
evidence received from a collecting facility;  22 
5. A process for notifying the victim from whom the evidence was 23 
collected of the progress of the testing, whether the testing resulted in a 24 
match to other DNA samples, and if the evidence is to be destroyed. The 25 
policy may include provisions for delaying notice until a suspect is 26 
apprehended or the office of the Commonwealth's attorney consents to 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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the notification, but shall not automatically require the disclosure of the 1 
identity of any person to whom the evidence matched; and 2 
6. A requirement that DNA samples collected as a result of an examination 3 
performed under KRS 216B.400 that are voluntarily submitted solely for 4 
elimination purposes shall not be checked against any DNA index, 5 
retained, or included in any DNA index; and 6 
(j) Requires all police officers to successfully complete by December 31, 2022, 7 
and every two (2) years thereafter, a training course certified by the council of 8 
not less than four (4) hours in emergency vehicle operation. 9 
(2) A unit of government which meets the criteria of this section shall be eligible to 10 
continue sharing in the distribution of funds from the Law Enforcement Foundation 11 
Program fund only if the police department of the unit of government remains in 12 
compliance with the requirements of this section. 13 
(3) Deputies employed by a sheriff's office shall be eligible to participate in the 14 
distribution of funds from the Law Enforcement Foundation Program fund 15 
regardless of participation by the sheriff. 16 
(4) Failure to meet a deadline established in a policy adopted pursuant to subsection 17 
(1)(i) of this section for the retrieval or submission of evidence shall not be a basis 18 
for a dismissal of a criminal action or a bar to the admissibility of the evidence in a 19 
criminal action. 20 
Section 3.   KRS 15.460 is amended to read as follows: 21 
(1) (a) Except as provided in subsection (4)(a) of this section, an eligible unit of 22 
government shall be entitled to receive an annual supplement of three 23 
thousand dollars ($3,000) for each qualified police officer it employs. The 24 
supplement amount shall be increased to four thousand dollars ($4,000) 25 
beginning July 1, 2018. 26 
(b) 1. In addition to the supplement, the unit of government shall receive an 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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amount equal to the required employer's contribution on the supplement 1 
to the retirement plan and duty category to which the officer belongs. In 2 
the case of County Employees Retirement System membership, the 3 
retirement plan contribution on the supplement shall be paid whether the 4 
officer enters the system under hazardous duty coverage or 5 
nonhazardous coverage. 6 
2. The unit of government shall pay the amount received for retirement 7 
plan coverage to the appropriate retirement system to cover the required 8 
employer contribution on the pay supplement. 9 
3. If the foundation program funds are insufficient to pay employer 10 
contributions to the system, then the total amount available for 11 
retirement plan payments shall be prorated to each eligible government 12 
so that each receives the same percentage of required retirement plan 13 
costs attributable to the cash salary supplement. 14 
(c) 1. In addition to the payments received under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this 15 
subsection, but only if sufficient funds are available to make all 16 
payments required under paragraph (b) of this subsection, each unit of 17 
government shall receive an administrative expense reimbursement in an 18 
amount equal to seven and sixty-five one-hundredths percent (7.65%) of 19 
the total annual supplement received greater than three thousand one 20 
hundred dollars ($3,100) for each qualified police officer that is a local 21 
officer as defined in KRS 15.420(2)(a)1. that it employs, subject to the 22 
cap established by subparagraph 3. of this paragraph. 23 
 2. The unit of government may use the moneys received under this 24 
paragraph in any manner it deems necessary to partially cover the costs 25 
of administering the payments received under paragraph (a) of this 26 
subsection. 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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3. The total amount distributed under this paragraph shall not exceed the 1 
total sum of five hundred twenty-five thousand dollars ($525,000) for 2 
each fiscal year. If there are insufficient funds to provide for full 3 
reimbursement as provided in subparagraph 1. of this paragraph, then 4 
the amount shall be distributed pro rata to each eligible unit of 5 
government so that each receives the same percentage attributable to its 6 
total receipt of the cash salary supplement. 7 
(d) In addition to the payments received under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this 8 
subsection, each unit of government shall receive the associated fringe 9 
benefits costs for the total supplement of four thousand dollars ($4,000) for 10 
each qualified police officer that is a state officer as defined in KRS 11 
15.420(2)(a)2. that it employs. Fringe benefits shall be limited to retirement 12 
plan contributions and the federal insurance contributions act tax. 13 
(e) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) to (d) of this subsection, a Kentucky 14 
Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources game warden[conservation 15 
officer] appointed pursuant to KRS 150.090(2) and listed in KRS 16 
15.420(2)(a)2.n. shall be a participant in the Kentucky Law Enforcement 17 
Foundation Program fund, but shall not receive an annual supplement from 18 
that fund. A game warden[conservation officer] shall receive an annual 19 
training stipend commensurate to the annual supplement paid to the police 20 
officer as defined in KRS 15.420. The annual training stipend disbursed to a 21 
game warden[conservation officer] shall be paid from the game and fish fund 22 
pursuant to KRS 150.150. 23 
(f) Any peace officer sanctioned by the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet shall 24 
be deemed a police officer solely for the purpose of inclusion in the Law 25 
Enforcement Foundation Program fund. 26 
(2) The supplement provided in subsection (1) of this section shall be paid by the unit 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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of government to each police officer whose qualifications resulted in receipt of a 1 
supplemental payment. The payment shall be in addition to the police officer's 2 
regular salary and, except as provided in subsection (4)(b) of this section, shall 3 
continue to be paid to a police officer who is a member of: 4 
(a) The Kentucky National Guard during any period of activation under Title 10 5 
or 32 of the United States Code or KRS 38.030; or 6 
(b) Any reserve component of the United States Armed Forces during any period 7 
of activation with the United States Armed Forces. 8 
(3) (a) A qualified sheriff who receives the maximum salary allowed by Section 246 9 
of the Kentucky Constitution and KRS 64.527 shall not receive a supplement. 10 
(b) A qualified sheriff who does not receive the maximum salary allowed by 11 
Section 246 of the Kentucky Constitution and KRS 64.527, excluding the 12 
expense allowance provided by KRS 70.170, shall upon annual settlement 13 
with the fiscal court under KRS 134.192, receive that portion of the 14 
supplement that will not cause his or her compensation to exceed the 15 
maximum salary. 16 
(c) A qualified sheriff who seeks to participate in the fund shall forward a copy of 17 
the annual settlement prepared under KRS 134.192 to the fund. The sheriff 18 
shall reimburse the fund if an audit of the annual settlement conducted 19 
pursuant to KRS 134.192 reflects that the sheriff received all or a portion of 20 
the supplement in violation of this section. A sheriff who fails to provide a 21 
copy of the annual settlement to the fund or to reimburse the fund after 22 
correction by audit, if required, shall not be qualified to participate in the fund 23 
for a period of two (2) years. 24 
(d) A qualified deputy sheriff shall receive the supplement from the sheriff if the 25 
sheriff administers his or her own budget or from the county treasurer if the 26 
sheriff pools his or her fees. The failure of a sheriff to comply with the 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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provisions of this section shall not affect the qualification of his or her 1 
deputies to participate in the fund. 2 
(4) (a) Eligible units of government shall receive the salary supplement, excluding 3 
funds applicable to the employer's retirement plan contribution, provided in 4 
subsection (1) of this section for distribution to a police officer who is eligible 5 
under subsection (2) of this section. 6 
(b) A qualified police officer receiving a salary supplement during any period of 7 
military activation, as provided in subsection (2) of this section, shall not be 8 
entitled to receive the employer's retirement plan contribution, and the salary 9 
supplement shall not be subjected to an employee's contribution to a 10 
retirement plan. The salary supplement shall otherwise be taxable for all 11 
purposes. 12 
(5) A unit of government receiving disbursements under this section shall follow all 13 
laws applicable to it that may govern due process disciplinary procedures for its 14 
officers, but this subsection shall not be interpreted to: 15 
(a) Authorize the department, the cabinet, or the council to investigate, judge, or 16 
exercise any control or jurisdiction regarding the compliance of a unit of 17 
government with laws that may govern due process disciplinary procedures 18 
for its officers, except as otherwise provided by laws; 19 
(b) Create a private right of action for any police officer regarding an agency's 20 
participation in this section; 21 
(c) Authorize a termination of an agency's participation as a result of a judgment 22 
that the unit of government failed to follow its procedures in any independent 23 
cause of action brought by the police officer against the unit of government; 24 
or 25 
(d) Prevent the adoption, amendment, or repeal of any laws that may govern the 26 
due process disciplinary procedures of a unit of government's police officers. 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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Section 4.   KRS 15.519 is amended to read as follows: 1 
(1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires: 2 
(a) "Officer" means any local, state, or federal officer who is employed or 3 
contracted by a governmental agency in Kentucky and includes: 4 
1. Law enforcement officer as defined in KRS 15.310; 5 
2. Peace officer as defined in KRS 446.010; and 6 
3. Police officer as defined in KRS 15.420; 7 
(b) "Private open land" means land, including open fields, but excluding any 8 
homes or buildings and the curtilage around them, that is owned, leased, used, 9 
or lawfully occupied by a person or a nongovernmental entity; and 10 
(c) "Search warrant" means a warrant that is supported by individualized 11 
probable cause and issued by a court of competent jurisdiction. 12 
(2) An officer shall not enter or access private open land for any covert surveillance or 13 
installation of surveillance devices without a search warrant unless the officer: 14 
(a) Has received the permission of the property owner, lessee, or lawful occupant; 15 
(b) Upon probable cause, is responding to an exigent circumstance, including a 16 
life-threatening emergency or another immediate threat to public safety that 17 
was either reported to or personally observed by the officer; 18 
(c) Is dispatching crippled, distressed, dangerous, or invasive wildlife that the 19 
officer has personally observed; or 20 
(d) Is unable to reasonably identify the unmarked and unfenced boundaries and 21 
ownership of unimproved, uninhabited rural land. 22 
(3) (a) Upon entering private open land, the officer shall immediately notify the 23 
landowner, lessee, or lawful occupant, if notice can reasonably be made, 24 
unless the officer is in possession of a search warrant allowing surveillance or 25 
surveillance-related activities. 26 
(b) If an officer is equipped with a body-worn camera or other audio-visual or 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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audio recording device while entering private open land, the body-worn 1 
camera or other audio-visual or audio recording device shall be activated and 2 
recording in accordance with the standard policy of the officer's agency. 3 
(4) Subsections (2) and (3) of this section do not apply to a game warden[conservation 4 
officer] executing duties described in KRS 150.090, who shall have the authority to 5 
enter upon, cross over, be upon, or access private open lands for the purpose of 6 
conducting compliance checks or surveillance based upon a reasonable suspicion, 7 
and shall not be required to notify the landowner, lessee, or lawful occupant. 8 
Section 5.   KRS 16.065 is amended to read as follows: 9 
In addition to the performance of all duties relating to the Department of Kentucky State 10 
Police, the department shall perform the following functions: 11 
(1) Security of state facilities located in Frankfort; 12 
(2) Highway enforcement;[ 13 
(3) Water safety enforcement as provided in KRS Chapter 235;] and 14 
(3)[(4)] Personal protection of a Medal of Honor recipient who: 15 
(a) Is a current Kentucky resident; 16 
(b) Is attending any public event or ceremony occurring within the 17 
Commonwealth of Kentucky, to which he or she has received an official 18 
written invitation; 19 
(c) Is representing for no reason other than being a recipient of the Medal of 20 
Honor; and 21 
(d) Has requested protection, in writing and with a copy of the official invitation, 22 
to the department no less than fourteen (14) days prior to the event; 23 
not to exceed six (6) instances of protection per year. 24 
Section 6.   KRS 150.010 is amended to read as follows: 25 
As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires: 26 
(1) "Administrative regulation" means a written regulation promulgated, pursuant to 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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KRS Chapter 13A, by the commissioner with the approval of the commission; 1 
(2) "Angling" means the taking or attempting to take fish by hook and line in hand, rod 2 
in hand, jugging, setline, or sport fishing trotline; 3 
(3) "Buy" includes offering to buy, acquiring, or possessing through purchase, barter, 4 
exchange, or trade; 5 
(4) "Cervid" means a hoofed mammal from the family Cervidae, including but not 6 
limited to white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, moose, and caribou; 7 
(5) "Commercial trotline" means a line to which are attached more than fifty (50) 8 
single or multibarbed baited hooks, which shall not be placed closer than eighteen 9 
(18) inches; 10 
(6) "Commission" means the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Commission; 11 
(7) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of the Department of Fish and Wildlife 12 
Resources; 13 
(8) ["Conservation officer" means any member of the Kentucky Department of Fish 14 
and Wildlife Resources Law Enforcement Division, pursuant to KRS 150.090, who 15 
possesses the powers of a peace officer; 16 
(9) ]"Daylight hours" means the period from one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise to one-17 
half (1/2) hour after sunset; 18 
(9)[(10)] "Device" means any article, instrument, or equipment of whatever nature or 19 
kind which may be used to take wild animals, wild birds, or fishes; 20 
(10)[(11)] "Department" means the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources; 21 
(11) "Dependent child" means any of the following: 22 
(a) A natural or legally adopted child of a landowner, if the child has not 23 
attained the age of nineteen (19) at the close of the license year; or 24 
(b) A child, regardless of age, who has been determined to be eligible for 25 
federal Social Security disability benefits or is being claimed as a qualifying 26 
child for tax purposes due to the child's total and permanent disability; 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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(12) "Fishing" means to take or attempt to take in any manner, whether the fisherman 1 
has fish in possession or not; 2 
(13) "Game warden" means any member of the Kentucky Department of Fish and 3 
Wildlife Resources Law Enforcement Division appointed pursuant to Section 9 of 4 
this Act, who possesses the powers of a peace officer; 5 
(14) "Gigging" means the taking of fish by spearing or impaling on any pronged or 6 
barbed instrument attached to the end of any rigid object; 7 
(15)[(14)] "Grabbing" means the taking of fish, frogs, or turtles directly by hand or with 8 
the aid of a handled hook; 9 
(16) "Guide" means a person who holds a guide's license issued according to the 10 
requirements of this chapter and the administrative regulations promulgated 11 
hereunder; 12 
(17)[(15)] "Hunting" means to take or attempt to take in any manner, whether the hunter 13 
has game in possession or not; 14 
(18)[(16)] "Identification tag" means a marker made of specified material upon which a 15 
name and address or number is placed and attached to unattended gear to designate 16 
ownership or responsible operator; 17 
(19)[(17)] "Impounded waters" means any public waters backed up behind a dam and 18 
includes all water upstream from the dam to the first riffle or shoal; 19 
(20)[(18)] "Jugging" means a means of fishing by which a single baited line is attached 20 
to any floating object; 21 
(21)[(19)] "License" means any document issued by the department authorizing its 22 
holder to perform acts authorized by the license and includes any other form of 23 
authorization in addition to or in lieu of an actual document which may be 24 
authorized by the department by administrative regulation; 25 
(22)[(20)] "Light geese" means snow geese and Ross's geese; 26 
(23)[(21)] "Light geese conservation order" means a wildlife management action needed 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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to control populations of light geese for a period of time established pursuant to 50 1 
C.F.R. sec. 21.60; 2 
(24)[(22)] "Livestock" means cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, alpacas, llamas, 3 
buffaloes, and any other animals of the bovine, ovine, porcine, caprine, equine, or 4 
camelid species; 5 
(25)[(23)] "Migratory shore or upland game birds" means all species of migratory game 6 
birds except waterfowl; 7 
(26)[(24)] "Minnows" means all fish under six (6) inches in length, except basses, either 8 
largemouth, smallmouth or Kentucky; rock bass or goggle-eye; trout; crappie; 9 
walleye; sauger; pike; members of the striped bass family; and muskellunge; 10 
(27)[(25)] "Navigable waters" means any waters within this state under lock and dam; 11 
(28)[(26)] "Nonresident" means a person who has not established a permanent domicile 12 
in this state and has not resided in this state for thirty (30) days immediately prior to 13 
his or her application for a license; 14 
(29) "Outfitter" means a person who holds a resident or nonresident outfitter license 15 
issued according to the requirements of this chapter and the administrative 16 
regulations promulgated hereunder; 17 
(30)[(27)] "Permit" means any document issued by the department authorizing its holder 18 
to perform acts authorized by the permit and includes tags or devices as evidence of 19 
holding a permit and includes any other form of authorization in addition to or in 20 
lieu of an actual document authorized by the department by administrative 21 
regulation; 22 
(31)[(28)] "Possess" means the act of having or taking into control; 23 
(32)[(29)] "Prescribed by the department" means established by an administrative 24 
regulation; 25 
(33)[(30)] "Processed wildlife" means any wildlife specimen or parts thereof that have 26 
been rendered into a permanently preserved state; 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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(34)[(31)] "Protected wildlife" means all wildlife except those species declared 1 
unprotected by administrative regulations promulgated by the department; 2 
(35)[(32)] "Public roadway" includes rural roads, highways, bridges, bridge approaches, 3 
city streets, viaducts, and bridges which are normally traveled by the general public 4 
and are under the jurisdiction of a state, federal, county, or municipal agency; 5 
(36)[(33)] "Public waters" means all waters within the state flowing in a natural stream 6 
channel or impounded on a natural stream; 7 
(37)[(34)] "Raw fur" means a hide, fur, or pelt of a fur-bearing animal which has not 8 
been processed. Skinning, stretching, oiling, or coloring of the pelt of the animal 9 
shall not be considered processing; 10 
(38)[(35)] "Resident" means any person who has established permanent domicile and 11 
legal residence and has resided in this state for thirty (30) days immediately prior to 12 
his or her application for a license. All other persons shall be classed as 13 
nonresidents, except students enrolled for at least six (6) months in an educational 14 
institution as full-time students and military personnel of the United States who are 15 
under permanent assignment, shall be classified as residents while so enrolled or 16 
assigned in this state; 17 
(39)[(36)] "Resist" means to leave the scene, intimidate or attempt to intimidate in any 18 
manner, or further interfere in any manner with any officer in the discharge of his or 19 
her duties; 20 
(40)[(37)] "Rough fish" means all species of fishes other than those species designated 21 
by administrative regulation as sport fishes; 22 
(41)[(38)] "Sell" includes offering to sell, having or possessing for sale, barter, 23 
exchange, or trade; 24 
(42)[(39)] "Setline" means a line to which is attached one (1) single or multibarbed 25 
hook. This line may be attached to a tree limb, tree trunk, bank pole, or other 26 
stationary object, on the bank of a stream or impoundment; 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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(43) "Shooting range" or "range" means a public facility on lands owned or 1 
managed by the department or a facility owned or managed by an affiliated 2 
partner of the department that is designated for the shooting of firearms or 3 
archery equipment; 4 
(44)[(40)] "Snagging" means the taking of fish or other aquatic animals through the use 5 
of a hand-held pole and attached line with single or multiple fish hooks in which the 6 
fish is hooked by a rapid drawing motion rather than enticement by bait; 7 
(45)[(41)] "Sports fishing trotline" means a line to which are attached no more than fifty 8 
(50) single or multibarbed baited hooks which shall not be placed closer together 9 
than eighteen (18) inches; 10 
(46)[(42)] "Take" includes pursue, shoot, hunt, wound, catch, kill, trap, snare, or capture 11 
wildlife in any way and any lesser act designed to lure, attract, or entice for these 12 
purposes; and to place, set, aim, or use any device, animal, substance, or agency 13 
which may reasonably be expected to accomplish these acts; or to attempt to do 14 
these acts or to assist any other person in the doing of or the attempt to do these 15 
acts; 16 
(47)[(43)] "Tenant" means any resident sharecropper, lessee, or any other person 17 
actually engaged in work upon a farm or lands and residing in a dwelling on the 18 
farms or lands including noncontiguous lands, but shall not include any other 19 
employee or tenant unless actually residing on the property and engaged or 20 
employed as above mentioned; 21 
(48)[(44)] "Transport" means to carry, move, or ship wildlife from one (1) place to 22 
another; 23 
(49)[(45)] "Waterfowl" means all species of wild ducks, geese, swans, mergansers, and 24 
coots; and 25 
(50)[(46)] "Wildlife" means any normally undomesticated animal, alive or dead, 26 
including without limitations any wild mammal, bird, fish, reptile, amphibian, or 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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other terrestrial or aquatic life, whether or not possessed in controlled environment, 1 
bred, hatched, or born in captivity and including any part, product, egg, or offspring 2 
thereof, protected or unprotected by this chapter. 3 
Section 7.   KRS 150.021 is amended to read as follows: 4 
(1) The Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources shall constitute an independent 5 
department of state government within the meaning of KRS Chapter 12, and shall 6 
be administratively attached to the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet only for 7 
those limited functions and purposes expressly requested by the department to be 8 
performed by the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet. The department shall have 9 
sole discretion as to which functions shall be deemed necessary for the efficient 10 
operation of the department and the properties in its custody and control. The 11 
department shall consist of a commissioner, a Fish and Wildlife Resources 12 
Commission, the Division of Law Enforcement, and other agents and employees 13 
provided for in this chapter. The department shall enforce the laws and regulations 14 
adopted under this chapter relating to wildlife and shall exercise all powers 15 
necessarily incident thereto. 16 
(2) [(a) The Finance and Administration Cabinet shall assess the Department of Fish 17 
and Wildlife Resources each fiscal year a fee in an amount equal to five percent 18 
(5%) of the debt service associated with all phases and implementation of the 19 
capital project to replace, repair, or maintain the two (2) way radio system utilized 20 
by the Department of Kentucky State Police. 21 
(b) The fee shall be assessed on each phase of the implementation of the two (2) way 22 
radio system and shall continue to be assessed until all debt for the system has been 23 
retired. 24 
(3) On April 13, 2022, copies of any records, files, or documents, including any legal 25 
documents or memoranda, associated with functions of the Department of Fish and 26 
Wildlife Resources that were previously performed by the Tourism, Arts and 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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Heritage Cabinet but for which it is no longer deemed responsible, shall be 1 
transmitted to the department. 2 
(4) ]The department shall not be subject to reorganization under KRS Chapter 12. 3 
Section 8.   KRS 150.025 is amended to read as follows: 4 
(1) In carrying out the provisions of this chapter the department may, by administrative 5 
regulations promulgated under the provisions of KRS Chapter 13A: 6 
(a) Fix, close, terminate, shorten, or divide open season, or make open seasons 7 
conditional; 8 
(b) Regulate bag or creel limits and possession limits; 9 
(c) Regulate buying, selling, or transporting; 10 
(d) Regulate the size or type of any device used for taking, and regulate any 11 
method of taking; 12 
(e) Regulate or restrict the places where taking is permitted; 13 
(f) Regulate taking, or the opening or closing of seasons, in waters in which the 14 
department is conducting experiments or making improvements for the 15 
purpose of promoting the conservation of wildlife and increasing the supply 16 
thereof; 17 
(g) Regulate water safety enforcement as provided in KRS Chapter 235; 18 
(h) Make administrative regulations apply to a limited area or to the entire state; 19 
and 20 
(i)[(h)] Promulgate any other administrative regulations reasonably necessary to 21 
implement or carry out the purposes of this chapter. 22 
(2) The commissioner shall cause the text of every administrative regulation to be made 23 
available electronically on the department's Web site within five (5) working days 24 
of filing. The commissioner shall also cause to be prepared news releases 25 
concerning all new or amended administrative regulations for distribution to radio, 26 
television, and newspaper media. 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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(3) This section shall apply to KRS Chapter 150 and no other KRS chapter pertaining 1 
to this subject shall apply to KRS Chapter 150. 2 
Section 9.   KRS 150.090 is amended to read as follows: 3 
(1) The commissioner shall appoint, promote, or take other employment actions to the 4 
ranks, grades, and positions of the department game wardens[conservation officers] 5 
who are considered by the commissioner to be necessary for the efficient 6 
administration of the department. 7 
(2) Game wardens[Conservation officers] appointed by the commissioner shall have 8 
full powers as peace officers for the enforcement of all of the laws of the 9 
Commonwealth, including the administrative regulations promulgated pursuant to 10 
KRS Chapters 150 and 235 and to serve process. 11 
(3) Each game warden[conservation officer] is individually vested with the powers of a 12 
peace officer and shall have in all parts of the state the same powers with respect to 13 
criminal matters and enforcement of the laws relating thereto as sheriffs, constables, 14 
and police officers in their respective jurisdictions, and shall possess all the 15 
immunities and matters of defense now available or hereafter made available to 16 
sheriffs, constables, and police officers in any suit brought against them in 17 
consequence of acts done in the course of their employment and within the scope of 18 
their duties. Any warrant of arrest may be executed by any officer of the 19 
department. 20 
(4) Game wardens[Conservation officers] charged with the enforcement of this chapter 21 
and the administrative regulations issued thereunder shall have the right to go upon 22 
the land of any person or persons whether private or public for the purpose of the 23 
enforcement of laws or orders of the department relating to game or fish, while in 24 
the normal, lawful and peaceful pursuit of such investigation or work or 25 
enforcement, may enter upon, cross over, be upon, and remain upon privately 26 
owned lands for such purposes, and shall not be subject to arrest for trespass while 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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so engaged or for such cause thereafter. They may arrest on sight, without warrant, 1 
any person detected by them in the act of violating any of the provisions of this 2 
chapter. They shall have the same rights as sheriffs to require aid in arresting with 3 
or without process any person found by them violating any of the provisions of this 4 
chapter and may seize without process anything declared by this chapter to be 5 
contraband. No liability shall be incurred by any person charged or directed in the 6 
enforcement of this chapter. 7 
(5) Game wardens[Conservation officers] and other officers charged with the 8 
enforcement of this chapter, shall have the authority to call for and inspect the 9 
license or tag, bag or creel of any person engaged in any activity for the 10 
performance of which a license is required under this chapter, and shall also have 11 
the authority to take proper identification of any person, or hunter, or fisherman 12 
who is actually engaged in any of these activities, and to call for and inspect any 13 
and all firearms and any other device that may be used in taking wildlife and is in 14 
the possession of any person so engaged. 15 
(6) No person shall resist, obstruct, interfere with or threaten or attempt to intimidate or 16 
in any other manner interfere with any officer in the discharge of his duties under 17 
the provisions of this chapter. This subsection shall not apply to a criminal 18 
homicide or an assault upon such officer. An assault upon such officer shall be 19 
deemed an offense under KRS Chapter 507 or 508, as appropriate. 20 
(7) The commissioner may, as a condition of employment, require a newly appointed 21 
department game warden[conservation officer] to enter into an employment 22 
contract for a period of no longer than five (5) years from the date of appointment. 23 
If a department game warden[conservation officer] who entered into a contract 24 
authorized under this subsection accepts employment as a peace officer with 25 
another law enforcement agency, that law enforcement agency shall reimburse the 26 
department for the actual costs incurred and expended by the department that are 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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associated with the initial hiring of that department game warden[conservation 1 
officer], including but not limited to the application process, training costs, 2 
equipment costs, salary, and fringe benefits. The department shall be reimbursed for 3 
the costs from the time of department game warden[conservation officer] initial 4 
application until appointment. 5 
Section 10.   KRS 150.095 is amended to read as follows: 6 
Game wardens[Conservation officers] are authorized to keep and bear arms upon their 7 
person, concealed or otherwise, in the same manner as all other peace officers, and to 8 
exercise the use of such arms to such extent as the same may be necessary in the 9 
discharge of their duties. 10 
Section 11.   KRS 150.097 is amended to read as follows: 11 
(1) Any game warden[conservation officer] who is sued for any act or omission in the 12 
line of duty and who has a judgment for monetary damages rendered against him or 13 
her in his or her individual capacity, and who personally suffers actual financial 14 
loss, unreimbursed from any source, by the enforcement and satisfaction of the 15 
judgment, including any costs or attorney fees awarded pursuant thereto, shall be 16 
indemnified by the Commonwealth, from funds appropriated to the fish and game 17 
fund for the payment of judgments, to the extent of his or her actual financial loss. 18 
(2) The indemnification shall be contingent upon an express determination by the 19 
commissioner that the act or omission which resulted in liability was within the 20 
scope and course of employment of the game warden[conservation officer], and 21 
occurred during the performance of duty, and was committed or omitted in the good 22 
faith belief that the act or omission was lawful and proper. 23 
(3) The indemnification shall not be construed to abrogate or limit any privilege, 24 
immunity, or matter of defense otherwise available to the game 25 
warden[conservation officer] and shall not constitute a waiver of any privilege, 26 
immunity, or matter of defense, including the sovereign immunity of the 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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Commonwealth. 1 
Section 12.   KRS 150.105 is amended to read as follows: 2 
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, the commissioner may, with the 3 
approval of the commission, authorize game wardens[conservation officers] or any other 4 
persons to destroy or bring under control in such manner as he deems necessary any wild 5 
animal, fish or wild birds, protected or unprotected which are causing damage to persons, 6 
property or other animals, fish or birds or spreading diseases and which in his judgment 7 
should be eliminated or controlled to prevent further damage. 8 
Section 13.   KRS 150.110 is amended to read as follows: 9 
The commissioner and game wardens[conservation officers] may arrest without warrant 10 
anyone violating any of the provisions of KRS 150.520 or any of the rules and 11 
regulations made by the department for the protection of mussels under this chapter. They 12 
may inspect mussels in any warehouse, boat, store, car or receptacle when they have 13 
good cause to believe that any of the provisions of KRS 150.520 or any of the rules or 14 
regulations made thereunder have been or are being violated. This authority does not 15 
include the right to enter any dwelling house without a search warrant. When the officers 16 
find mussels in the possession of anyone in violation of this chapter, the mussels shall be 17 
confiscated and sold in the manner provided by KRS 150.120 for the sale of confiscated 18 
wildlife. 19 
Section 14.   KRS 150.120 is amended to read as follows: 20 
(1) The commissioner, all game wardens[conservation officers], persons appointed by 21 
the commissioner, and all peace officers and their deputies shall seize and take 22 
possession of any and all furs, wildlife, guns, dogs, instruments, boats or devices 23 
which have been taken, used, transported or possessed contrary to any law or 24 
regulation adopted under this chapter. Upon complaint showing probable cause for 25 
believing that any of the wildlife protected by any law or regulation are illegally 26 
kept in any building, car or receptacle, any court having jurisdiction may issue a 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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search warrant and cause the same to be searched. Any wildlife, furs, guns, dogs, 1 
instruments, or devices seized in accordance with this section shall be impounded 2 
by the arresting officer and shall be taken before the court trying the person 3 
arrested. 4 
(2) Upon conviction, the court trying the case shall have the discretion of determining 5 
whether or not any of the things seized under the provisions of subsection (1) of this 6 
section shall be declared contraband. Any wildlife, fur or dog taken, and any device 7 
used or possessed contrary to the provisions of this chapter, or any regulations 8 
adopted hereunder, is subject to being declared contraband. When any such item is 9 
declared contraband, the court shall enter an order accordingly. A copy of the order 10 
shall be forwarded to the commissioner and the contraband shall be placed in the 11 
custody of the arresting officer, to be delivered to the commissioner. 12 
(3) The commissioner may sell to the residents of this state, at the highest market price 13 
obtainable, with the approval of the commission all contraband which comes to his 14 
or her possession under the order of any court, or which has been seized under this 15 
chapter and declared to be contraband under any law relating to fish or wildlife. All 16 
proceeds arising from the sale of contraband articles shall be paid into the game and 17 
fish fund, and shall be subject to audit by the Auditor of Public Accounts under 18 
KRS 150.152. A record of the sale, including the name of the purchaser and the 19 
price paid, shall be kept by the commissioner. 20 
(4) Any device or contrivance, the use of which is not expressly recognized and 21 
sanctioned by the provisions of this chapter for the taking of wildlife, is hereby 22 
declared to be an illegal device. No person shall have in his or her possession any 23 
illegal device or other thing prohibited by law or by any regulation adopted under 24 
this chapter for the taking of wildlife. 25 
Section 15.   KRS 150.170 is amended to read as follows: 26 
(1) Except as provided in the following subsections of this section, and subject to 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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administrative regulations promulgated under this chapter, no person, resident, or 1 
nonresident shall do any act authorized by any kind of license or permit or assist in 2 
any way any person in doing any act provided for in this chapter with respect to 3 
wildlife unless he or she holds the kind of license or permit, resident or nonresident, 4 
that authorizes the act. It shall be the specific purpose of this chapter to prohibit the 5 
taking or pursuing of any wildlife, protected or unprotected, or the fishing in any 6 
stream or body of water whether public or private, without first procuring the 7 
license provided for in KRS 150.175, except to the extent as may be otherwise 8 
provided in this section. 9 
(2) A person under sixteen (16) years of age may, without a sport fishing license, take 10 
fish by angling, or take minnows by the use of a minnow seine, minnow trap, or dip 11 
net. 12 
(3) A person under twelve (12) years of age shall be exempt from being required to 13 
obtain a sport hunting or sport trapping license as required by this chapter. 14 
(4) The resident owner of farmlands of five (5) or more acres or his or her spouse or 15 
dependent children shall, without procuring any sport hunting or sport fishing 16 
licenses, have the right to take fish or hunt during the open season, except trapping, 17 
on farmlands of five (5) or more acres of which they are bona fide owners. Tenants 18 
or their dependent children residing upon these farmlands shall have the same 19 
privilege. 20 
(5) Residents or nonresidents observing and participating in field trials, training 21 
exercises, or other competitions as authorized by the department may observe and 22 
participate without obtaining a hunting or guide's license so long as game is not 23 
taken. 24 
(6) Any resident serviceman on furlough of more than three (3) days in this state may, 25 
without any Kentucky sport hunting or sport fishing licenses, do any act authorized 26 
by the licenses, but while so doing he or she shall carry on his or her person proper 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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identification and papers showing his or her furlough status. 1 
(7) Landowners, their spouses or dependent children, or their designee who must be 2 
approved by the commissioner, who kill or trap on their lands any wildlife causing 3 
damage to the lands or any personal property situated thereon shall not be required 4 
to have a hunting or trapping license and may do so during periods other than the 5 
open season for the particular species without a tag and dispose of the carcass on-6 
site. Tenants, their spouses, their dependent children, or other persons approved by 7 
the commissioner, shall also have the same privilege. Upon destruction of any 8 
wildlife by the above-specified individuals, the act shall be reported to a game 9 
warden[conservation officer] within twenty-four (24) hours of the kill. Individuals 10 
wishing to transport the carcass from the property upon which it was killed shall 11 
contact personnel of the department to request a disposal tag or other authorization. 12 
Inedible parts from wildlife taken under the authorization of this section shall not be 13 
utilized for any purpose and shall be destroyed or left afield. The department shall 14 
promulgate administrative regulations establishing procedures for the designee 15 
appointment process, including request and approval deadlines. 16 
(8) If a reciprocal agreement is entered into by the commissioner, with the approval of 17 
the commission, and promulgated as an administrative regulation by the department 18 
and similar action is taken by the appropriate authority in Missouri, Tennessee, 19 
Virginia, West Virginia, Indiana, Ohio, or Illinois, persons holding a resident or 20 
nonresident fishing or a resident or nonresident hunting license issued in these 21 
states shall be permitted to perform the acts authorized by the license upon certain 22 
contiguous waters and land areas adjacent to the common boundaries of the above-23 
mentioned states and the State of Kentucky. A resident of the State of Kentucky 24 
shall purchase a proper Kentucky license to conform with the reciprocal agreement. 25 
(9) Any member of the Kentucky Army or Air National Guard, active duty or Reserve 26 
Component, in any branch in the United States Armed Forces that is based in the 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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Commonwealth of Kentucky, shall have the right to take fish or hunt on any 1 
military property belonging to the Commonwealth without procuring any sport 2 
hunting or sport fishing license. 3 
(10) A person not otherwise exempted from hunter safety education or from procuring 4 
any sport hunting or sport fishing license shall be exempt from the department-5 
sanctioned live-fire exercise component of the hunter education course requirement 6 
if he or she: 7 
(a) Is a current member of the Armed Forces of the United States; 8 
(b) Has served in the Armed Forces of the United States and was discharged or 9 
released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable; or 10 
(c) Is a peace officer certified pursuant to KRS 15.380 to 15.404. 11 
Section 16.   KRS 150.172 is amended to read as follows: 12 
(1) Any person who is not prohibited by state or federal law from possessing a firearm 13 
may carry a firearm and ammunition for that firearm for purposes of self-defense 14 
and defense of others while hunting, fishing, trapping, or engaging in any other 15 
activity not constituting a crime under KRS Chapter 218A or Chapters 500 to 534, 16 
and may do so on any public lands under the control of the department and on any 17 
private land under the control of the department, unless the owner of the private 18 
land has posted notice that concealed deadly weapons are not allowed in a building 19 
where they may be prohibited pursuant to KRS 237.110 or 237.115. 20 
(2) (a) A person may use a firearm, if he or she is not prohibited by state or federal 21 
law from possessing a firearm, or may use any other deadly weapon, at any 22 
time and during any season to: 23 
1. Kill or attempt to kill an animal, whether protected or unprotected, in 24 
self-defense or defense of another person; or 25 
2. Kill or attempt to kill an injured animal for humane purposes; and 26 
 in either event, reports the kill or attempted kill to a game 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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warden[conservation officer] before midnight of the same day as the kill or 1 
attempted kill. 2 
(b) An investigation by the department shall be authorized to substantiate and 3 
provide evidence on whether the kill or attempted kill of the animal is in 4 
violation of paragraph (a) of this subsection or if the animal presents a threat 5 
to public health and safety. If no violation is shown to exist, and if there is no 6 
threat to public health and safety, then the animal or parts thereof shall: 7 
1. Remain the property and in the possession of the person taking the 8 
animal; or 9 
2. If the animal or parts thereof were surrendered to the department, be 10 
immediately returned to the person. 11 
(c) An arrest shall not be made, except upon a warrant issued by a judge of a 12 
court of competent jurisdiction, and a citation shall not be issued by a peace 13 
officer if an animal is killed under circumstances described in paragraph (a) of 14 
this subsection. 15 
(d) A citation may be issued by a peace officer who witnesses the killing of an 16 
animal in violation of a statute or federal regulation under circumstances 17 
different from those described in paragraph (a) of this subsection. 18 
(e) An arrest warrant or a summons may be issued by a judge of a court of 19 
competent jurisdiction, upon application of the appropriate county attorney, if 20 
the court believes that there is sufficient cause to doubt the claim that the 21 
animal was killed under circumstances described in paragraph (a) of this 22 
subsection. 23 
(3) In cases where an animal is killed and there is a claim that the animal was killed 24 
under circumstances described in paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of this section, the 25 
department shall provide competent evidence as to how the animal was killed and 26 
the circumstances surrounding the event. 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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(4) The department shall not promulgate administrative regulations restricting any right 1 
provided by this section or the spirit thereof. 2 
(5) This section shall not apply to the killing, wounding, or other prohibited act relating 3 
to specific wildlife which are protected by the federal Endangered Species Act, 16 4 
U.S.C. secs. 1531 to 1544; federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, 16 U.S.C. secs. 703 5 
to 712; or federal Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, 16 U.S.C. secs. 668 to 6 
668d. 7 
(6) The principles contained in KRS Chapter 503 relating to the use of force and deadly 8 
force against human beings shall apply to acts where wildlife is involved. 9 
Section 17.   KRS 150.175 is amended to read as follows: 10 
The kinds of licenses and tags authorized by this chapter, and the acts authorized to be 11 
performed under the licenses and tags, subject to the other provisions of this chapter and 12 
subject to administrative regulations promulgated under this chapter, shall be as follows: 13 
(1) Statewide resident sport fishing license, which authorizes the holder to take fishes 14 
by angling, or take crayfish by a minnow seine, or by hand, to take minnows by the 15 
use of a minnow seine, minnow trap, or dip net, or to take fishes by grabbing, 16 
gigging, snagging, snaring, jugging, and bow and arrow, and to take frogs and 17 
turtles from any waters in any county of this state open for such purposes and 18 
subject to the limitations in this chapter and additional limitations that the 19 
department may from time to time prescribe. This license shall not authorize the 20 
holder to sell fish; 21 
(2) A short-term sport fishing license, which authorizes the holder to perform all acts 22 
authorized by a statewide sport fishing license and subject to the same limitations or 23 
prescribed administrative regulations. This license shall not authorize the holder to 24 
sell fish; 25 
(3) A resident commercial fishing license and a nonresident commercial fishing 26 
license, which authorize a holder to perform any act authorized by a sport fishing 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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license and to take rough fishes from the waters of the state by the use of 1 
commercial fishing gear as prescribed by administrative regulation. The license 2 
shall also authorize the holder to sell rough fishes, other than those protected by 3 
administrative regulation; 4 
(4) A commercial fishing gear tag, which shall be attached to each piece of commercial 5 
fishing gear including hoop nets, slat traps, trotline, wing nets, and to each one 6 
hundred (100) feet of linear gear or portion thereof in use, including commercial 7 
seines, gill nets, or trammel nets. Commercial gear tags may be issued only to a 8 
person holding a resident or nonresident commercial fishing license; 9 
(5) Live fish and bait dealer's licenses, resident and nonresident, which authorize the 10 
holder to sell bait and live fish as may be prescribed by administrative regulation; 11 
(6) Musseling licenses, resident and nonresident, which authorize the holder to take 12 
mussels for commercial purposes as may be prescribed by administrative 13 
regulation; 14 
(7) A statewide resident hunting license, which authorizes the holder to take or pursue 15 
wild animals, wild birds, frogs, and turtles with gun, bow and arrow, dog, or falcon, 16 
or to participate in a fox-hunting party engaged in the hunting or pursuing of foxes 17 
with dogs for sport, according to the provisions of the laws and administrative 18 
regulations of the department; 19 
(8) A youth statewide hunting license, which may be issued to a person before he or 20 
she has reached his or her sixteenth birthday, and which authorizes the holder to 21 
exercise all the privileges authorized by a statewide hunting license; 22 
(9) Trapping licenses, resident and nonresident, which authorize the holder to take wild 23 
animals by trapping upon his or her own lands or upon the lands of another person, 24 
if the holder of the license has first obtained oral or written consent as provided in 25 
KRS 150.092 and administrative regulation; 26 
(10) A taxidermist license, which authorizes the holder to engage in the act of preparing, 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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stuffing, and mounting the skins of wildlife; 1 
(11) A[ commercial] guide's license, which authorizes the holder to assist an outfitter 2 
license holder's client in taking or attempting to take fish or wildlife and is 3 
employed by or contracted with an outfitter license holder as prescribed by 4 
the[guide hunting and fishing parties according to the provisions of the laws and] 5 
administrative regulations of the department; 6 
(12) Fur buyer's licenses, resident and nonresident, which authorize the holder to buy 7 
raw furs from licensed trappers and hunters and to sell raw furs so purchased. 8 
Applicants for the license shall state the number of premises to be used and shall 9 
display at each a copy of the license as furnished by the department, except that the 10 
commissioner may limit the number of copies furnished and may revoke the license 11 
for violation; 12 
(13) A fur processor's license, which may be issued only to a resident, a partnership, 13 
firm, or corporation of this state and which authorizes the holder to buy raw furs 14 
when in legal possession for processing, manufacture, or retention in cold storage or 15 
for resale; 16 
(14) A nonresident sport fishing license, which authorizes the holder to perform any act 17 
authorized by a resident statewide sport fishing license. This license shall not 18 
authorize the holder to sell fish; 19 
(15) A nonresident annual hunting license, which authorizes the holder to perform any 20 
act authorized by a resident statewide hunting license; 21 
(16) Shoot-to-retrieve field trial permits, four (4) day and single day, which authorize a 22 
permit holder to conduct a shoot-to-retrieve field trial on private or government-23 
owned lands. With a four (4) day permit, all participants, whether residents or 24 
nonresidents, shall not be required to possess any other license to participate in the 25 
permitted field trial, and the permit shall expire four (4) days after the date on 26 
which the field trial began. With the single day permit, the permit is valid for one 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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(1) day and all participants shall have a valid resident or nonresident annual 1 
Kentucky hunting license. A permit is not required to conduct a shoot-to-retrieve 2 
field trial on a licensed shooting preserve; however, all participants that take or 3 
attempt to take game shall have in their possession a resident or nonresident annual 4 
Kentucky hunting license; 5 
(17) Game permits and youth game permits, which, in combination with a valid 6 
statewide hunting license or a valid youth statewide hunting license, authorize the 7 
holder to take or pursue the specified game species in any designated open area of 8 
this state, during the open season and according to the provisions of the laws and 9 
administrative regulations governing the hunting; 10 
(18) A combination hunting and fishing license, which authorizes only resident holders 11 
to perform all acts valid under either a sport fishing or hunting license; 12 
(19) A trout permit, which in combination with a valid statewide fishing license, 13 
authorizes the holder to take trout by angling or as may be prescribed by 14 
administrative regulation; 15 
(20) A commercial waterfowl permit, which authorizes the holder to establish and 16 
operate a commercial waterfowl hunting preserve; 17 
(21) A short-term hunting license, which authorizes the holder to perform all acts 18 
authorized by a statewide hunting license according to the provisions of the laws 19 
and administrative regulations of the department; 20 
(22) A joint statewide resident sport fishing license issued to a husband and wife which 21 
authorizes them to take fish as provided in subsection (1) of this section. The 22 
license fee for this joint license shall be ten percent (10%) less than the license fee 23 
set by the commission for two (2) statewide resident sport fishing licenses; 24 
(23) A Kentucky migratory bird permit, which in combination with a valid statewide 25 
hunting license and compliance with applicable federal law, authorizes the holder to 26 
take or pursue waterfowl and migratory shore or upland game birds; 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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(24) A pay lake license which authorizes the holder to operate privately owned 1 
impounded waters for fishing purposes for which a fee is charged; 2 
(25) A senior sportsman's hunting and fishing license, which authorizes the holder to 3 
perform all acts valid under a sport fishing license, a sport hunting license, or a state 4 
permit to take deer, turkey, trout, waterfowl, or migratory shore or upland game 5 
birds, and which shall be available to a Kentucky resident who is sixty-five (65) 6 
years of age or older. The senior sportsman's hunting and fishing license shall not 7 
be valid unless the holder carries proof of residency and proof of age, as the 8 
department may require by administrative regulation, on his or her person while 9 
performing an act authorized by the license; 10 
(26) A senior lifetime sportsman's hunting and fishing license, which remains valid until 11 
the death of the holder and authorizes the holder to perform all acts valid under a 12 
sport fishing license, a sport hunting license, and a state permit to take deer, turkey, 13 
trout, waterfowl, and migratory shore and upland game birds, and which shall be 14 
available to a Kentucky resident who is sixty-five (65) years of age or older; 15 
(27) A disabled sportsman's hunting and fishing license, which authorizes the holder to 16 
perform all acts valid under a sport fishing license, a sport hunting license, and a 17 
state permit to take deer, turkey, trout, waterfowl, and migratory shore and upland 18 
game birds, and which shall be available to a Kentucky resident who is: 19 
(a) An American veteran at least fifty percent (50%) disabled as a result of a 20 
service-connected disability; or 21 
(b) Declared permanently and totally disabled by the federal Social Security 22 
Administration, the United States Office of Personnel Management, the 23 
Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System, the Department of Workers' Claims 24 
or its equivalent from another state, or the United States Railroad Retirement 25 
Board. 26 
 The disabled sportsman's hunting and fishing license shall not be valid unless the 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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holder carries proof of residency, as the department may require by administrative 1 
regulation, on his or her person while performing an act authorized by the license; 2 
(28) A sportsman's license and youth sportsman's license for residents that include 3 
annual hunting and fishing licenses and such permits as allowed by administrative 4 
regulations promulgated by the department;[ and] 5 
(29) A special license for residents and nonresidents for the purpose of hunting on 6 
licensed shooting areas. This license shall be valid only for the shooting areas for 7 
which it was issued and shall remain in effect for one (1) year. If the hunter holds 8 
either a nonresident or resident statewide hunting license for the current year, the 9 
special license shall not be required; 10 
(30) A resident outfitter license and a nonresident outfitter license, each of which 11 
authorizes the holder to solicit for guiding services or provide guiding services for 12 
clients in taking or attempting to take fish or wildlife and which may have a guide 13 
authorized to assist clients on behalf of the license holder as prescribed by the 14 
administrative regulations of the department; and 15 
(31) A shooting range permit, which authorizes the holder to use both department-16 
owned or managed shooting ranges and affiliated partner shooting ranges. 17 
The department may offer multiyear licenses or permits for any of the annual licenses or 18 
permits authorized in subsections (1), (7), (9), (14), (15), (17), (18), (19), (23), and (28) 19 
of this section. A multiyear license or permit shall authorize the holder to perform all acts 20 
authorized by the same license or permit if purchased annually and shall be issued in 21 
accordance with the provisions of this chapter and the administrative regulations 22 
promulgated hereunder. Any multiyear licenses or permits offered by the department 23 
relating to the annual licenses or permits authorized in subsections (1), (7), (9), (14), (15), 24 
(17), (18), (19), (23), and (28) of this section shall be implemented by administrative 25 
regulation and may be discontinued at any time. 26 
Section 18.   KRS 150.190 is amended to read as follows: 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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(1) Any applicant for an outfitter license or[a commercial] guide's license shall be 1 
required to present proof to the satisfaction of the commissioner[, in accordance 2 
with regulations the commissioner may prescribe with the approval of the 3 
commission,] that he is qualified to act as a[ commercial] guide or outfitter, as 4 
prescribed by administrative regulations of the department. 5 
(2) Any applicant for a fur processor's license shall be required to present proof to the 6 
satisfaction of the commissioner, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the 7 
department[the commissioner may prescribe with the approval of the commission,] 8 
that he has sufficient equipment and facilities to engage in the business of 9 
processing, manufacture, and storage of raw furs. 10 
(3) A[ commercial] guide's license or an outfitter license is[ shall] not[ be] required of 11 
residents or nonresidents who are participating in field trials, training exercises, or 12 
other competitions where no game is harvested. 13 
Section 19.   KRS 150.390 is amended to read as follows: 14 
(1) No person shall possess, take, pursue, or attempt to take or pursue or otherwise 15 
molest any wild elk, deer, wild turkey, or bear in any manner contrary to any 16 
provisions of this chapter or its regulations. 17 
(2) No person shall use a dog to chase or molest wild elk or deer in any manner, at any 18 
time, or at any place. Any game warden[conservation officer], peace officer, 19 
sheriff, or constable may take necessary steps to stop, prevent, or bring under 20 
control any dog or dogs found chasing or molesting wild elk or deer at any time. 21 
(3) The department shall establish by administrative regulation the conditions under 22 
which depredation permits may be issued without cost to persons suffering damage 23 
from wild elk to allow the taking of wild elk. 24 
(4) If Kentucky's wild elk population reaches a level that will sustain limited hunting, 25 
the department may establish by administrative regulations the conditions and 26 
permits that would allow the controlled taking of wild elk. 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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(5) The department shall identify areas where deer and elk pose a significant threat to 1 
agriculture or to health and human safety from automobile accidents and may take 2 
necessary steps to reduce the deer and elk population in those areas. Methods to 3 
reduce the deer and elk population may include but are not limited to the following: 4 
(a) Special hunts; 5 
(b) Increasing the doe harvest; and  6 
(c) Working with the Transportation Cabinet to make vegetation along highways 7 
unpalatable to deer and elk. 8 
Section 20.   KRS 150.411 is amended to read as follows: 9 
(1) Every licensed taxidermist shall keep a suitable record for five (5) years in which 10 
shall be entered the species of each wildlife mounted by him and the name and 11 
address of the person for whom the mounting was done. 12 
(2) Any legally taken wildlife may be mounted, provided the wildlife bears 13 
identification with the name and address of the owner and date and place taken until 14 
such time as it is mounted. 15 
(3) A fish and wildlife disposal permit, signed by a game warden[conservation officer], 16 
must be attached to wildlife taken other than during a legally open hunting season. 17 
Such permit will substitute for the identification required in subsection (2) of this 18 
section. 19 
Section 21.   KRS 150.425 is amended to read as follows: 20 
(1) Upon adoption of a resolution by the fiscal court that beaver exist within the county 21 
in such quantities that they present a threat to the preservation of farmland, trees, 22 
and other property, the fiscal court may request the department to pay a bounty on 23 
beaver. Upon receipt of the resolution, a bounty on beaver of ten dollars ($10) for 24 
each beaver shall be paid in the following manner. Upon the presentation of the tail 25 
of any beaver, any game warden[conservation officer] of the department shall issue 26 
a receipt, in the form as prescribed by the commission, to the person presenting the 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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tail. The department shall redeem the receipts by paying to such person the sum of 1 
ten dollars ($10) for each receipt as bounty. The redemption of receipts shall be 2 
paid only from funds especially appropriated for this purpose and it is expressly 3 
provided that no bounty shall be paid from any regular receipts, funds, or 4 
appropriations of the department. However, the department may charge a maximum 5 
of one dollar ($1) against the appropriation for bounties for each bounty paid as 6 
reimbursement for the expense of administering the bounty program. 7 
(2) No bounty shall be paid when funds, personnel, or equipment of any governmental 8 
unit are used in capturing and killing beaver. 9 
(3) Upon receipt of an adopted resolution from a fiscal court stating that beaver no 10 
longer present a threat to property within the county, the department shall cease 11 
paying the bounty. 12 
Section 22.   KRS 150.990 is amended to read as follows: 13 
(1) Each bird, fish, or animal taken, possessed, bought, sold, or transported and each 14 
device used or possessed contrary to the provisions of this chapter or any 15 
administrative regulation promulgated by the commission thereunder shall 16 
constitute a separate offense. The penalties prescribed in this section shall be for 17 
each offense. 18 
(2) (a) Any person who fails to appear pursuant to a citation or summons issued by a 19 
game warden[conservation officer] or peace officer of this Commonwealth 20 
for violation of this chapter or any administrative regulation promulgated 21 
thereunder shall forfeit his or her license or, if that person is license-exempt, 22 
shall forfeit the privilege to perform the acts authorized by the license. The 23 
individual shall not be permitted to purchase another license or exercise the 24 
privileges granted by a license until the citation or summons is resolved. The 25 
court shall notify the department whenever a person has failed to appear 26 
pursuant to a citation or summons for a violation of this chapter or any 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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administrative regulation promulgated thereunder. 1 
(b) Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter or any 2 
administrative regulations promulgated by the commission thereunder may, in 3 
addition to the penalties provided in subsections (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), and (8) 4 
of this section, forfeit his or her license or, if that person is license-exempt, 5 
may forfeit the privilege to perform the acts authorized by the license and 6 
shall not be permitted to purchase another license or exercise the privileges 7 
granted by a license during the same license year. No fines, penalty, or 8 
judgment assessed or rendered under this chapter shall be suspended, reduced, 9 
or remitted otherwise than expressly provided by law. Any person who 10 
violates any administrative regulation which has been or may be promulgated 11 
by the commission under any provisions of this chapter shall be subject to the 12 
same penalty as is provided for the violation of any provisions of this chapter 13 
under which the administrative regulation is promulgated. 14 
(3) Any person who violates any of the provisions of KRS 150.120, 150.170, 15 
150.235(1), 150.280, 150.320, 150.330(2), 150.355, 150.362, 150.400, 150.410, 16 
150.415, 150.416, 150.445, 150.450, 150.470, 150.603, or 150.722(2), or any of the 17 
provisions of this chapter or any administrative regulation promulgated by the 18 
commission for which no definite fine or imprisonment is fixed shall be fined not 19 
less than fifty dollars ($50) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500). 20 
(4) Any person who violates any of the provisions of KRS 150.195(5) to (8), 150.290, 21 
150.300, 150.340, 150.360, 150.362(1), 150.485, 150.600, 150.630, or 150.660 22 
shall be fined not less than fifty dollars ($50) nor more than five hundred dollars 23 
($500) or be imprisoned for not more than six (6) months, or both. Also, any person 24 
violating the provisions of KRS 150.300 shall be assessed treble damages as 25 
provided in KRS 150.690 or 150.700. Damages assessed under this subsection shall 26 
be ordered to be paid directly to the department. The court shall not direct that the 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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damages be paid through the circuit clerk. 1 
(5) Any person who violates any of the provisions of KRS 150.411, 150.412, or 2 
150.417 shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than five 3 
hundred dollars ($500). 4 
(6) Any person who violates any of the provisions of KRS 150.183, 150.305, 150.365, 5 
150.370, 150.330(1), 150.235(2), (3), or (4), or 150.363 shall be fined not less than 6 
one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500) or 7 
imprisoned for not more than six (6) months, or both. 8 
(7) Any person who violates any of the provisions of KRS 150.460 shall be fined not 9 
less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500) or 10 
imprisoned for not more than six (6) months, or both, and in addition to these 11 
penalties shall be liable to the department in an amount not to exceed the 12 
replacement value of the fish and wildlife which has been killed or destroyed. Costs 13 
assessed for the restoration of wildlife under this subsection shall be ordered to be 14 
paid directly to the department. The court shall not direct that the costs be paid 15 
through the circuit clerk. 16 
(8) Any person who violates the provisions of KRS 150.180, 150.520, 150.525, or 17 
administrative regulations issued thereunder shall for the first offense be fined not 18 
less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000); 19 
and shall for a second offense be fined not less than five hundred dollars ($500) nor 20 
more than one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500); and for any subsequent 21 
offense, be fined two thousand dollars ($2,000). 22 
(9) Any person who violates the provisions of KRS 150.520 or administrative 23 
regulations issued thereunder shall, if the violation relates to methods of taking 24 
mussels, for a first offense be imprisoned in the county jail for no more than thirty 25 
(30) days; for a second offense be imprisoned in the county jail for no more than six 26 
(6) months; and for any subsequent offense be imprisoned in the county jail for no 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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more than one (1) year. The penalties for violation of this subsection shall be in 1 
addition to the penalties for violation of subsection (8). 2 
(10) Any person who violates any of the provisions of KRS 150.4111, 150.640, or KRS 3 
150.450(2) or (3) shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more 4 
than one thousand dollars ($1,000). 5 
(11) Any person who violates any of the provisions of KRS 150.390 or KRS 150.092(4) 6 
shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than one thousand 7 
dollars ($1,000) or imprisoned for not less than thirty (30) days nor more than one 8 
(1) year, or both. In addition to the penalties prescribed above, he or she shall forfeit 9 
his or her license or, if license-exempt, the privilege to perform the acts authorized 10 
by the license for a period of one (1) to three (3) years and shall be liable to the 11 
department in an amount reasonably necessary to replace any deer, wild turkey, or 12 
bear taken in violation of KRS 150.390 and for violations of KRS 150.092(4) shall 13 
be liable to the landowner or occupant for reasonable compensation for damages. 14 
Wildlife replacement costs assessed under this subsection shall be ordered to be 15 
paid directly to the department. The court shall not direct that the damages be paid 16 
through the circuit clerk. Damages assessed under this subsection shall be ordered 17 
to be paid directly to the landowner or occupant. The court shall not direct that the 18 
damages be paid through the circuit clerk. Any person who possesses, takes, or 19 
molests a wild elk in violation of KRS 150.390 or administrative regulations 20 
promulgated under authority of that section shall be fined not less than one 21 
thousand dollars ($1,000) nor more than five thousand dollars ($5,000) or 22 
imprisoned for up to six (6) months, or both. In addition to these penalties, the 23 
person shall pay to the department an amount not to exceed the greater of the 24 
replacement cost of the wild elk or double any monetary gain realized from the 25 
illegal activity and shall forfeit his or her license or, if license-exempt, the privilege 26 
to perform the acts authorized by the license for a period of one (1) to three (3) 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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years. 1 
(12) Any person who violates any of the provisions of KRS 150.090 other than a 2 
criminal homicide or an assault against an officer enforcing the provisions of this 3 
chapter, KRS Chapter 235, or the administrative regulations issued thereunder shall 4 
be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. 5 
(13) Any person who commits a criminal homicide or an assault against an officer 6 
enforcing the provisions of this chapter, KRS Chapter 235, or the administrative 7 
regulations issued thereunder shall be subject to the penalties specified for the 8 
offense under KRS Chapter 507 or 508, as appropriate. 9 
(14) A person shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor upon the first conviction for a 10 
violation of KRS 150.710. A subsequent conviction shall be a Class A 11 
misdemeanor. 12 
(15) Any person who violates the provisions of KRS 150.092 or the administrative 13 
regulations promulgated thereunder for which no other penalty is specified 14 
elsewhere in this section shall for the first offense be fined not less than one 15 
hundred dollars ($100) nor more than three hundred dollars ($300); for the second 16 
offense, be fined not less than three hundred dollars ($300) nor more than one 17 
thousand dollars ($1,000); and for subsequent offenses, shall forfeit the license or, 18 
if license-exempt, the privilege to perform the acts authorized by the license, for 19 
one (1) year and shall be fined not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) or be 20 
imprisoned in the county jail for up to one (1) year, or both. In addition to the 21 
penalties prescribed in this subsection, the violator shall be liable to the landowner 22 
or tenant for the replacement cost of any property which was damaged or destroyed 23 
by his or her actions. Damages assessed under this subsection shall be ordered to be 24 
paid directly to the landowner or the tenant. The court shall not direct that the 25 
damages be paid through the circuit clerk. 26 
(16) (a) Any person who knowingly violates KRS 150.361 shall for a first offense be 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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fined not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than one thousand 1 
dollars ($1,000) or be imprisoned in the county jail for not more than six (6) 2 
months, or both. 3 
(b) Any person who knowingly violates KRS 150.361 shall for a second or 4 
subsequent offense be fined not less than five hundred dollars ($500) nor 5 
more than one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) or be imprisoned in the 6 
county jail for not more than six (6) months, or both. 7 
(c) In addition to the penalties specified in paragraphs (a), (b), and (d) of this 8 
subsection, a person knowingly violating KRS 150.361 shall forfeit his or her 9 
hunting license or, if license-exempt, the privilege to perform the acts 10 
authorized by the license for a period of not less than one (1) nor more than 11 
three (3) years. 12 
(d) In addition to the penalties specified in paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this 13 
subsection any person knowingly violating KRS 150.361 shall be liable to the 14 
department in an amount not to exceed the greater of the replacement value of 15 
any wildlife killed or wounded in violation of KRS 150.361 or double the 16 
amount of the monetary gain from knowingly violating KRS 150.361. 17 
(e) Wildlife replacement costs or other costs specified in paragraph (d) of this 18 
subsection shall be ordered paid directly to the department. The court shall not 19 
direct that the replacement costs be paid through the circuit clerk. 20 
(17) Any person convicted of violating KRS 150.186 shall be guilty of a Class A 21 
misdemeanor and shall, whether licensed or license-exempt, forfeit his or her right 22 
to hunt, fish, trap, or be licensed as a commercial guide for a period of ten (10) 23 
years. 24 
Section 23.   KRS 186.675 is amended to read as follows: 25 
(1) The annual registration fee for trailers and semitrailers which are drawn by motor 26 
vehicles required to be licensed under KRS 186.050(1) shall be four dollars and 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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fifty cents ($4.50). The annual registration fee for trailers and semitrailers which are 1 
drawn by motor vehicles required to be licensed under KRS 186.050(3) to (13) shall 2 
be nineteen dollars and fifty cents ($19.50). 3 
(2) The provisions of KRS 186.650 to 186.700 shall not apply to privately owned and 4 
operated trailers used for the transportation of: 5 
(a) Boats; 6 
(b) Luggage; 7 
(c) Personal effects; 8 
(d) Farm products, farm supplies, or farm equipment; 9 
(e) All-terrain vehicles as defined in KRS 189.010(24); 10 
(f) Wildlife as defined in KRS 150.010[(46)] that the owner or operator of the 11 
trailer has obtained while hunting; and 12 
(g) Firearms or other supplies used in conjunction with hunting wildlife. 13 
(3) The registration fee for mobile homes and recreational vehicles shall be nine dollars 14 
and fifty cents ($9.50) except the registration fee for camping trailers, travel trailers, 15 
and truck campers shall be four dollars and fifty cents ($4.50). The clerk shall issue 16 
the registration plate furnished by the cabinet and shall be paid for this service the 17 
sum of one dollar ($1). 18 
(4) Beginning April 1, 1993, at the request of the owner, trailers and semitrailers which 19 
are drawn by motor vehicles required to be licensed under KRS 186.050(3) to (13) 20 
may be permanently registered, except the registration shall expire when the trailer 21 
or semitrailer is sold or when it is otherwise permanently removed from service by 22 
the owner. The registration fee for the period shall be ninety-eight dollars ($98). 23 
The clerk shall issue the registration plate furnished by the cabinet and shall be paid 24 
for this service the sum of three dollars ($3). 25 
Section 24.   KRS 189.910 is amended to read as follows: 26 
(1) As used in KRS 189.920 to 189.950, "emergency vehicle" means any vehicle used 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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for emergency purposes by: 1 
(a) The Department of Kentucky State Police; 2 
(b) A public police department; 3 
(c) The Department of Corrections; 4 
(d) A sheriff's office; 5 
(e) A rescue squad; 6 
(f) An emergency management agency if it is a publicly owned vehicle; 7 
(g) A licensed ambulance service, mobile integrated healthcare program, or 8 
medical first response provider licensed by the Kentucky Board of Emergency 9 
Medical Services, for any vehicle used to respond to emergencies or to 10 
transport a patient with a critical medical condition; 11 
(h) Any vehicle commandeered by a police officer; 12 
(i) Any vehicle with the emergency lights required under KRS 189.920 used by a 13 
paid or volunteer fireman or paid or volunteer ambulance personnel, or a paid 14 
or local emergency management director while responding to an emergency 15 
or to a location where an emergency vehicle is on emergency call; 16 
(j) An elected coroner granted permission to equip a publicly or privately owned 17 
motor vehicle with lights and siren pursuant to KRS 189.920; 18 
(k) A deputy coroner granted permission to equip a publicly or privately owned 19 
motor vehicle with lights and siren pursuant to KRS 189.920; 20 
(l) Any vehicle used by an organ procurement organization while transporting a 21 
human organ or tissue for the purpose of organ recovery or transplantation in 22 
an emergency situation involving an imminent health risk; or 23 
(m) A game warden[conservation officer] of the Kentucky Department of Fish 24 
and Wildlife Resources. 25 
(2) As used in KRS 189.920 to 189.950, "public safety vehicle" means public utility 26 
repair vehicle; wreckers; state, county, or municipal service vehicles and 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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equipment; highway equipment which performs work that requires stopping and 1 
standing or moving at slow speeds within the traveled portions of highways; and 2 
vehicles which are escorting wide-load or slow-moving trailers or trucks. 3 
Section 25.   KRS 527.020 is amended to read as follows: 4 
(1) A person is guilty of carrying a concealed weapon when he or she carries concealed 5 
a firearm or other deadly weapon on or about his or her person in violation of this 6 
section. 7 
(2) Peace officers and certified court security officers, when necessary for their 8 
protection in the discharge of their official duties; United States mail carriers when 9 
actually engaged in their duties; and agents and messengers of express companies, 10 
when necessary for their protection in the discharge of their official duties, may 11 
carry concealed weapons on or about their person. 12 
(3) The director of the Division of Law Enforcement in the Department of Fish and 13 
Wildlife Resources, game wardens[conservation officers] of the Department of 14 
Fish and Wildlife Resources, and policemen directly employed by state, county, 15 
city, or urban-county governments may carry concealed deadly weapons on or 16 
about their person at all times within the Commonwealth of Kentucky, when 17 
expressly authorized to do so by law or by the government employing the officer. 18 
(4) Persons carrying concealed weapons in accordance with KRS 237.109 or licensed 19 
to carry a concealed deadly weapon pursuant to KRS 237.110 may carry a 20 
concealed firearm or other concealed deadly weapon on or about their persons at all 21 
times within the Commonwealth of Kentucky, if the firearm or concealed deadly 22 
weapon is carried in conformity with the requirements of KRS 237.109 or 237.110. 23 
Unless otherwise specifically provided by the Kentucky Revised Statutes or 24 
applicable federal law, no criminal penalty shall attach to carrying a concealed 25 
firearm or other deadly weapon at any location at which an unconcealed firearm or 26 
other deadly weapon may be constitutionally carried. No person or organization, 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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public or private, shall prohibit a person from possessing a firearm, ammunition, or 1 
both, or other deadly weapon in his or her vehicle in compliance with the provisions 2 
of KRS 237.109, 237.110, and 237.115. Any attempt by a person or organization, 3 
public or private, to violate the provisions of this subsection may be the subject of 4 
an action for appropriate relief or for damages in a Circuit Court or District Court of 5 
competent jurisdiction. 6 
(5) (a) The following persons, if they hold a license to carry a concealed deadly 7 
weapon pursuant to KRS 237.110 or 237.138 to 237.142, may carry a firearm 8 
or other concealed deadly weapon on or about their persons at all times and at 9 
all locations within the Commonwealth of Kentucky, without any limitation 10 
other than as provided in this subsection: 11 
1. A Commonwealth's attorney or assistant Commonwealth's attorney; 12 
2. A retired Commonwealth's attorney or retired assistant Commonwealth's 13 
attorney; 14 
3. A county attorney or assistant county attorney; 15 
4. A retired county attorney or retired assistant county attorney; 16 
5. A justice or judge of the Court of Justice; 17 
6. A retired or senior status justice or judge of the Court of Justice; and 18 
7. A retired peace officer who holds a concealed deadly weapon license 19 
issued pursuant to the federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act, 18 20 
U.S.C. sec. 926C, and KRS 237.138 to 237.142. 21 
(b) The provisions of this subsection shall not authorize a person specified in this 22 
subsection to carry a concealed deadly weapon in a detention facility as 23 
defined in KRS 520.010 or on the premises of a detention facility without the 24 
permission of the warden, jailer, or other person in charge of the facility, or 25 
the permission of a person authorized by the warden, jailer, or other person in 26 
charge of the detention facility to give such permission. As used in this 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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section, "detention facility" does not include courtrooms, facilities, or other 1 
premises used by the Court of Justice or administered by the Administrative 2 
Office of the Courts. 3 
(c) A person specified in this section who is issued a concealed deadly weapon 4 
license shall be issued a license which bears on its face the statement that it is 5 
valid at all locations within the Commonwealth of Kentucky and may have 6 
such other identifying characteristics as determined by the Department of 7 
Kentucky State Police. 8 
(6) (a) Except as provided in this subsection, the following persons may carry 9 
concealed deadly weapons on or about their person at all times and at all 10 
locations within the Commonwealth of Kentucky: 11 
1. An elected sheriff and full-time and part-time deputy sheriffs certified 12 
pursuant to KRS 15.380 to 15.404 when expressly authorized to do so 13 
by the unit of government employing the officer; 14 
2. An elected jailer and a deputy jailer who has successfully completed 15 
Department of Corrections basic training and maintains his or her 16 
current in-service training when expressly authorized to do so by the 17 
jailer; and 18 
3. The department head or any employee of a corrections department in 19 
any jurisdiction where the office of elected jailer has been merged with 20 
the office of sheriff who has successfully completed Department of 21 
Corrections basic training and maintains his or her current in-service 22 
training when expressly authorized to do so by the unit of government 23 
by which he or she is employed. 24 
(b) The provisions of this subsection shall not authorize a person specified in this 25 
subsection to carry a concealed deadly weapon in a detention facility as 26 
defined in KRS 520.010 or on the premises of a detention facility without the 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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permission of the warden, jailer, or other person in charge of the facility, or 1 
the permission of a person authorized by the warden, jailer, or other person in 2 
charge of the detention facility to give such permission. As used in this 3 
section, "detention facility" does not include courtrooms, facilities, or other 4 
premises used by the Court of Justice or administered by the Administrative 5 
Office of the Courts. 6 
(7) (a) A full-time paid peace officer of a government agency from another state or 7 
territory of the United States or an elected sheriff from another territory of the 8 
United States may carry a concealed deadly weapon in Kentucky, on or off 9 
duty, if the other state or territory accords a Kentucky full-time paid peace 10 
officer and a Kentucky elected sheriff the same rights by law. If the other state 11 
or territory limits a Kentucky full-time paid peace officer or elected sheriff to 12 
carrying a concealed deadly weapon while on duty, then that same restriction 13 
shall apply to a full-time paid peace officer or elected sheriff from that state or 14 
territory. 15 
(b) The provisions of this subsection shall not authorize a person specified in this 16 
subsection to carry a concealed deadly weapon in a detention facility as 17 
defined in KRS 520.010 or on the premises of a detention facility without the 18 
permission of the warden, jailer, or other person in charge of the facility, or 19 
the permission of a person authorized by the warden, jailer, or other person in 20 
charge of the detention facility to give such permission. As used in this 21 
section, "detention facility" does not include courtrooms, facilities, or other 22 
premises used by the Court of Justice or administered by the Administrative 23 
Office of the Courts. 24 
(8) A loaded or unloaded firearm or other deadly weapon shall not be deemed 25 
concealed on or about the person if it is located in any enclosed container, 26 
compartment, or storage space installed as original equipment in a motor vehicle by 27  UNOFFICIAL COPY  	24 RS BR 1992 
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its manufacturer, including but not limited to a glove compartment, center console, 1 
or seat pocket, regardless of whether said enclosed container, storage space, or 2 
compartment is locked, unlocked, or does not have a locking mechanism. No 3 
person or organization, public or private, shall prohibit a person from keeping a 4 
loaded or unloaded firearm or ammunition, or both, or other deadly weapon in a 5 
vehicle in accordance with the provisions of this subsection. Any attempt by a 6 
person or organization, public or private, to violate the provisions of this subsection 7 
may be the subject of an action for appropriate relief or for damages in a Circuit 8 
Court or District Court of competent jurisdiction. This subsection shall not apply to 9 
any person prohibited from possessing a firearm pursuant to KRS 527.040. 10 
(9) The provisions of this section shall not apply to a person who carries a concealed 11 
deadly weapon on or about his or her person: 12 
(a) If he or she is the owner of the property or has the permission of the owner of 13 
the property, on real property which he or she or his or her spouse, parent, 14 
grandparent, or child owns; 15 
(b) If he or she is the lessee of the property or has the permission of the lessee of 16 
the property, on real property which he or she or his or her spouse, parent, 17 
grandparent, or child occupies pursuant to a lease; or 18 
(c) If he or she is the sole proprietor of the business, on real property owned or 19 
leased by the business. 20 
(10) Carrying a concealed weapon is a Class A misdemeanor, unless the defendant has 21 
been previously convicted of a felony in which a deadly weapon was possessed, 22 
used, or displayed, in which case it is a Class D felony. 23