ASSEMBLY ENVIRONMENT, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 2016

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: JUNE 12, 1997

      The Assembly Environment, Science and Technology Committee favorably reports Assembly Bill No. 2016 with committee amendments.

      The bill, as amended, would statutorily prohibit certain forms of hunting for black bear. Currently, a prohibition on all forms of hunting for black bear is established by regulation only.

      The committee amendments direct the Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife in the Department of Environmental Protection to issue nuisance permits to persons with proof of damage to crops or property, or threat to the safety and well-being of family members or other persons residing on the person's property, and adopt rules and regulations necessary to implement the issuance and administration of the permits. The committee amendments further specify that a permit holder may shoot weapons at, or otherwise attack, a black bear found on the permit holder's property and may kill the bear if necessary. The nuisance permit expires on the date of the killing of one bear on the permit holder's property or one year from the date of issuance, whichever is earlier.