GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2005

H                                                                                                                                                    1

HOUSE BILL 772

 

 

 

 

Short Title:     Ban Internet Hunting.-AB

(Public)

Sponsors:

Representatives Williams, Steen (Primary Sponsors);  Barnhart, Church, Coates, England, Fisher, Goforth, Harrell, Hill, Hilton, Hollo, Johnson, LaRoque, Martin, McGee, Owens, Pate, Ray, Stam, and Tolson.

Referred to:

Wildlife Resources.

March 17, 2005

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT to prohibit computer-assisted remote hunting.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Article 4 of Chapter 113 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

"§ 113-291.1A.  Computer-assisted remote hunting prohibited.

(a)       It is unlawful for a person to engage in computer-assisted remote hunting or provide or operate a facility that allows others to engage in computer-assisted remote hunting if the wild animal or wild bird being hunted or shot is located in this State.

(b)       For purposes of this section "computer-assisted remote hunting" means the use of a computer or other device, equipment, or software, to remotely control the aiming and discharging of a firearm or other weapon, that allows a person, not physically present at the location of that firearm or other weapon, to hunt or shoot a wild animal or wild bird."

SECTION 2.  G.S. 113-294 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:

"(q)      Any person who violates any provision of G.S. 113-291.1A is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor."

SECTION 3.  G.S. 113-276.3(d) reads as rewritten:

"(d)      Any violation of this Subchapter or of any rule adopted by the Wildlife Resources Commission under the authority of this Subchapter which is subject to a penalty greater than the one provided in G.S. 113-135(a)(1) is a suspension offense. Conviction of any of the following suspension offenses results in a suspension for a period of two years:

(1)       A violation of G.S. 113-294(b).

(2)       A violation of G.S. 113-294(c).

(2a)     A violation of G.S. 113-294(c1).

(3)       A violation of G.S. 113-294(e).

(4)       Repealed by Session Laws 1999-120, s. 2.

(5)       A violation of G.S. 113-291.1A.

A conviction of any other suspension offense results in a suspension for a period of one year."

SECTION 4.  This act becomes effective December 1, 2005, and applies to acts occurring on or after that date.