Bans wildlife killing contests on both public and private lands in the state.
Impact
Should this bill be enacted, it would directly impact existing state laws regarding hunting regulations by introducing specific clauses that disallow contests aimed at killing wildlife. The legislation will amend Chapter 20-13 of the General Laws, which pertains to hunting and hunting safety. This could bring about a significant shift in the hunting culture within the state, particularly affecting organizations that have historically promoted wildlife killing contests as recreational activities.
Summary
House Bill 5606 aims to prohibit wildlife killing contests on both public and private lands within the state. The bill is framed as a measure to enhance wildlife conservation and hunting safety by outlawing organized events that incentivize the killing of furbearers for prizes or cash rewards. Such contests have faced criticism for promoting inhumane treatment of animals and for their negative impact on wildlife populations, and this bill seeks to address those concerns directly.
Contention
While supporters of the bill argue that banning wildlife killing contests is a necessary step for ethical hunting practices and wildlife preservation, opponents may contend that such legislation infringes upon personal freedoms and traditional hunting practices. Discussions around the bill may also reveal varying opinions on whether it significantly addresses the core issues of wildlife protection or if it merely serves as a symbolic gesture against practices considered unethical. The penalties for violators of the bill range from fines for individuals starting at $500 to significantly higher fines for organizations, which might generate debate on the fairness and effectiveness of these penalties.
Allows social gaming in private residences and in public taverns or private clubs as long as the gambling is incidental to a bona fide social relationship between the participants and no person other than the participants receive anything of value.
Makes it a misdemeanor to harass another person by following them and using an electronic device to record their movements in any public or private place.
Establishes, as an affirmative defense to the crimes of circulating obscene publications or shows and selling or exhibiting obscene publications to minors, the person's employment status as an employee of a school, museum, or library.
Establishes, as an affirmative defense to the crimes of circulating obscene publications or shows and selling or exhibiting obscene publications to minors, the person’s employment status as an employee of a school, museum, or library.
Exempts from taxation the real and tangible personal property of Wildlife Rehabilitators Association of Rhode Island (Wildlife Clinic of Rhode Island), a Rhode Island domestic nonprofit corporation, located in North Kingstown, Rhode Island.
Exempts from taxation the real and tangible personal property of Wildlife Rehabilitators Association of Rhode Island (Wildlife Clinic of Rhode Island), a Rhode Island domestic nonprofit corporation, located in North Kingstown, Rhode Island.
Prohibits the sale/offer of sale/trade/distribution of fur products. Makes 3 violations of this chapter civil infractions punishable by civil penalty and the 4th violation a misdemeanor punishable by fine up to $500 or imprisonment for 30 days or both.