Bill
H 3945
The bill creates a regulated Aerial Management Program authorizing permits to use drones to count, photograph, relocate, capture, or hunt feral hogs or coyotes on land with owner c
Note on source material
- The provided materials contain two different bills intermingled: (A) a Massachusetts bill (HD 2330 / House No. 3945) concerning urban agriculture in environmental justice communities, and (B) a South Carolina draft amending Title 50 to allow aerial management of feral hogs and coyotes. The title you supplied (“Aerial management of wild animals”) and the listed legislative actions align with the South Carolina draft. This summary focuses on the aerial management bill (South Carolina) and then briefly notes the unrelated Massachusetts urban agriculture language included in the file.
Purpose and intent
- To create a regulated permit program authorizing the use of unmanned aircraft (drones) to count, photograph, relocate, capture, hunt, or otherwise take feral hogs or coyotes in certain circumstances, while restricting misuse and establishing reporting, authorization, and enforcement rules.
Key provisions
- New statutory section: adds S.C. Code § 50-9-580 (Article 5, Chapter 9, Title 50).
- Definitions:
- “Aerial Management Program” (AMP): a department-issued permit authorizing specified aerial activities (count, photograph, relocate, capture, hunt, take) of feral hogs or coyotes using unmanned aircraft.
- “Landowner’s Authorization” (LOA): signed consent by the landowner/agent to manage a specified number of animals on specified property.
- Permit and authorization:
- AMPs authorize aerial management only on tracts listed in the LOA.
- Operators must carry the AMP while conducting authorized unmanned aircraft activities.
- Operators must be specifically named as authorized operators in the AMP.
- Recordkeeping and oversight:
- Unmanned aircraft operators must maintain a daily flight log/report, kept current and available for inspection by game wardens during reasonable times.
- AMP holders and operators must comply with all regulations applicable to the specific unmanned aircraft listed on the AMP.
- Prohibited acts (illustrative highlights):
- Using an unmanned aircraft to target any wildlife other than feral hogs or coyotes not authorized by the AMP/LOA.
- Harassing non-authorized wildlife with unmanned aircraft.
- Participating in hunts under an AMP/LOA without a valid department hunting license.
- Taking animals for sport hunting or for purposes unrelated to protection or land/wildlife administration.
- Operating outside the property designated in the LOA.
- Penalties:
- Violation is a misdemeanor: up to $200 fine and/or up to 30 days imprisonment.
- Effective date:
- The act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
Who is affected
- Landowners/agents who may authorize aerial management on their property (LOA).
- Drone/unmanned aircraft operators seeking to manage feral hogs/coyotes (must obtain AMP and be named as authorized operators).
- Departmental wildlife officials and game wardens (enforcement, inspection, and permitting roles).
- Hunters and wildlife control operators (must hold valid hunting license when participating).
- General public and non-target wildlife (protected from unauthorized harassment/taking).
Implementation and timeline / legislative status (as provided)
- Introduced and read first time: 02/11/2025
- Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs: 02/11/2025
- Committee report: Favorable with amendment: 02/26/2025
- Member(s) request name added as sponsor (Caskey, Luck): 02/27/2025
- Recommitted to Committee: 03/04/2025
- Scrivener’s error corrected: 03/05/2025
- Senate concurred: 04/03/2025
- Hearing scheduled: 09/02/2025 (1:00 PM–5:00 PM in A-1)
- Reporting date extended to: 12/31/2025
Potential impacts and considerations
- Provides a legal pathway for using drones in targeted wildlife management (could help control feral hog populations and coyote impacts on livestock/crops).
- Raises operational, safety, privacy, and animal welfare questions—e.g., standards for safe capture/relocation, training and certification of operators, oversight of lethal vs. non-lethal methods.
- Enforcement mechanisms are modest (misdemeanor with relatively low maximum fine); practical enforcement will depend on departmental capacity and regulatory detail.
- May require accompanying departmental regulations to define application procedures, technical standards, training, recordkeeping formats, and humane handling requirements.
Note on the Massachusetts material
- The file also includes a Massachusetts bill (House No. 3945 / HD 2330) titled “An Act to promote urban agriculture in environmental justice communities” that amends definitions and grant preference language. That is a separate measure and not part of the South Carolina aerial management draft. Confirm the jurisdiction and final bill text before relying on this summary for legal or policy work.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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