HCS HB 424 & 534 -- DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION

Under current law, violations of wildlife statutes and rules
with unspecified penalties are a misdemeanor, with maximum
punishment of 3 months in the county jail and a $500 fine.  This
bill makes it a class A misdemeanor to violate wildlife statutes
with unspecified penalties and their associated rules.  Other
rule violations are a class B misdemeanor.

The bill also allows conservation agents to arrest suspects
anywhere in the state if probable cause is established
incidental to the agent's authorized duties.  All certified
peace officers, including conservation agents, may arrest anyone
who uses physical force to create a substantial risk of serious
injury or death.

Further, the bill authorizes the Department of Conservation to
establish a volunteer program.  Volunteers are considered unpaid
employees and are provided legal expense and liability
protection.  They may use state vehicles when specifically
authorized and may also be reimbursed for travel and other
expenses.

HCS HB 424 & 534 -- DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION (Crump)

Under current law, violations of wildlife statutes and rules
with unspecified penalties are a misdemeanor, with maximum
punishment of 3 months in the county jail and a $500 fine.  This
substitute makes it a class A misdemeanor to violate most
wildlife statutes with unspecified penalties and their
associated rules.  Other rule violations are a class B
misdemeanor.

The substitute also allows conservation agents to arrest
suspects anywhere in the state if probable cause is established
incidental to the agent's authorized duties.  All certified
peace officers, including conservation agents, may make an
arrest anywhere in the state if anyone is seen using physical
force to create a substantial risk of serious injury or death.
This portion of the substitute has an emergency clause.

Further, the substitute authorizes the Department of
Conservation to establish a volunteer program.  Volunteers are
considered unpaid employees.  They are provided legal expense
and liability protection and may also be reimbursed for travel
and other expenses.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

HCS HB 424 & 534 -- DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION

CO-SPONSORS:  McBride (Crump)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on State
Parks, Natural Resources and Mining by a vote of 14 to 2.

Under current law, wildlife code violations with unspecified
penalties are a misdemeanor, with maximum punishment of 3 months
in the county jail and a $500 fine.  This substitute makes these
violations a class A misdemeanor.

The substitute also allows conservation agents to arrest
suspects anywhere in the state if probable cause is established
incidental to the agent's authorized duties or if a suspect is
seen using physical force to create a substantial risk of
serious injury or death.  This portion of the substitute has an
emergency clause.

Further, the substitute authorizes the Department of
Conservation to establish a volunteer program.  Volunteers are
considered unpaid employees.  They are provided legal expense
and liability protection and may also be reimbursed for travel
and other expenses.

FISCAL NOTE:  Not available at time of printing.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters of HB 424 say that current penalties are
not a sufficient deterrent for serious, repeat offenders of
wildlife laws.

Testifying for HB 424 were Representative Crump; Department of
Conservation; and Conservation Federation of Missouri.

Supporters of HB 534 say that conservation agents are peace
officers with as much training as the Highway Patrol, and they
often encounter other crimes while enforcing wildlife law.
Granting agents arrest powers in these situations would be
helpful to local law enforcement officials and citizens.

Testifying for HB 534 were Representative McBride; Department of
Conservation; Colonel Fred Mills, Missouri Highway Patrol; and
Conservation Federation of Missouri.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition to HB 424 or HB 534 voiced
to the committee.

Terry Finger, Research Analyst

HB 424 -- Wildlife Code Violations

Sponsor:  Crump

Under current law, wildlife code violations with unspecified
penalties are a misdemeanor, with maximum punishment of 3 months
in the county jail and a $500 fine.  This bill makes these
violations a class A misdemeanor.