ASSEMBLY AGRICULTURE AND WASTE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 1271

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: FEBRUARY 22, 1996

      The Assembly Agriculture and Waste Management Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 1271 with committee amendments.

      As amended, this bill would amend R.S.23:4-24, a statute that prohibits hunting on Sundays, to permit persons licensed to trap fur-bearing animals pursuant to the provisions of R.S.23:3-1, to use a .22 caliber rifle and .22 caliber short rimfire cartridges to humanely shoot and kill legally trapped animals on Sundays.

      Under current law, trapping is permitted every day of the week and the use of firearms in the field every day except Sundays. Consequently, trappers are unable to dispatch trapped animals on Sundays with a firearm. Under the provisions of the bill, trappers would be able to use firearms and ammunition of limited power on Sundays only for that purpose.

      The committee amendments provide that the licensed person also must possess a valid and proper rifle permit. The committee also amended the bill to clarify that the .22 caliber short rimfire cartridges must be used with a .22 caliber rifle. The amendments also clarify that the animal must have been trapped legally.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 1996-1997 session pending technical review. As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.