Bill No.: HB0048                  Drafter:  DKG

LSO No.:  09LSO-0319              Effective Date:  2/26/2009

Enrolled Act No.:  HEA0040

Chapter No.:       54

Prime Sponsor:     Representative Brown

Catch Title:       Game bird farms raising sage grouse.

Subject:  Rearing and release of native sage grouse by private game bird farms.

Summary/Major Elements:

• The budget bill in 2008 required the game and fish commission to develop rules, regulations and procedures to allow private bird farms in this state to raise native sage grouse for release.

· This act follows up on that provision by requiring the commission to report to the travel, recreation, wildlife and cultural resources committee by August 31, 2009 regarding those rules.

· It also prohibits the rearing and release of native sage grouse under a private game bird license until authorized by legislation enacted after April 1, 2009; i.e., until after the next scheduled legislative session.

Comments:

The 2008 budget bill footnote requiring the game and fish commission to develop rules allowing for private bird farms to raise native sage grouse for release was amended in the 2009 budget bill to instead require the game and fish department to report to the travel, recreation, wildlife and cultural resources committee by October 1, 2009 on the latest research regarding artificial propagation of sage grouse and make a recommendation regarding the feasibility of captive breeding of sage grouse.