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HF 195

A bill for an act relating to the taking of black bears, and making penalties applicable.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Dave Jacoby

HF 195 designates black bears as fur-bearing, requiring a fur-harvester license to hunt or trap under NRC rules, with civil damages and seizure for unlawful taking.

Introduced, referred to Natural Resources.
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Bill Summary · HF 195

Summary of HF 195 (Introduced Feb. 3, 2025)

Overview

HF 195 is a bill relating to the taking of black bears by designating black bears as fur-bearing animals and establishing licensing, penalties, and enforcement provisions. The bill would authorize the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) to allow hunting or trapping of black bears through the issuance of a fur-harvester license, subject to rules and limitations. It also creates penalties for unlawful taking, including civil damages and potential seizure by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

  • Primary sponsor: Jacoby
  • Status: Introduced and referred to Natural Resources (as of February 3, 2025)

What the bill would change

  • Designation of fur-bearing animals

    • Black bear is added to the list of fur-bearing animals for regulatory and protective purposes under the Code.
    • The list also includes beaver, badger, mink, otter, muskrat, raccoon, skunk, opossum, spotted skunk or civet cat, weasel, coyote, bobcat, wolf, groundhog, red fox, and gray fox.
    • The provision clarifies that the regulation does not apply to domesticated fur-bearing animals.

  • Licensing and take authority

    • The NRC may permit hunting or trapping of black bears.
    • This authority would be contingent on the acquisition of a fur-harvester license and subject to limitations established by NRC rule.

  • Penalties and enforcement for unlawful taking

    • Unlawful taking or attempting to take a black bear would be subject to a scheduled fine (specific amount determined by the offense schedule).
    • A convicted individual would be liable for civil damages in the amount of $2,500 for unlawfully taking a black bear.
    • A black bear taken unlawfully could be seized by the director of the DNR.

Who is affected

  • Bear hunters and fur-harvesters: would need a fur-harvester license to hunt or trap black bears and would be subject to NRC rules and any limits.
  • Individuals who unlawfully take black bears: would face scheduled fines plus civil damages of $2,500 and potential seizure of the bear.
  • Department of Natural Resources and Natural Resources Commission: responsible for defining licensing rules, taking limits, enforcement, and seizure procedures.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and referral: February 3, 2025, referred to the Natural Resources committee.
  • Implementation path: The bill suggests rulemaking by the NRC to set licensing requirements and any take limitations; no specific dates or effective dates are provided in the bill text excerpt.

Key provisions (in brief)

  • Section 1: Adds black bear to the list of fur-bearing animals; clarifies domesticated fur-bearing animals are excluded from this chapter.
  • Section 2: Establishes civil damages of $2,500 for unlawfully taking a black bear; authorizes seizure of unlawfully taken bears; references scheduled fines for offenses related to unlawful take.

Bottom line

HF 195 would formalize black bears as fur-bearing animals, creating a licensing framework for legal take (hunting or trapping) under NRC rules, while imposing substantial penalties for unlawful taking, including civil damages and seizure authority for the DNR. The bill places enforcement and regulatory control with the NRC and DNR, pending rulemaking and legislative action.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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