An Act relative to beavers

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Paul Frost

Repeals the leghold trap ban for furbearing animals, enabling use of leghold traps under existing rules, affecting beaver management and trapping practices.

Overview

Title: An Act relative to beavers

Bill Number: HD 1597 (House Docket No. 1597)

Introduced: November 29, 2025 (House documents show filing on January 15, 2025 as House No. 940)

Purpose: To repeal a current prohibition related to trapping practices, thereby adjusting how furbearing animals (including beavers) can be captured.

Status: Not specified in the provided materials. The bill is a proposed measure from the 2025-2026 session; there is a related prior filing (House No. 799 in 2023-2024) indicating this topic has been considered before.

Core Provision

Repeal of Section 80A of Chapter 131 of the General Laws: “Section 80A of chapter 131 of the General Laws is hereby repealed.”

Effect of repeal: This would remove the statutory prohibition on the use of leghold traps for capturing furbearing animals. In practical terms, it would allow the use of leghold traps where legal and regulated, altering current wildlife management and trapping practices.

Key Provisions and Changes

Change in Regulation: Elimination of the ban on leghold traps for furbearing animals.

Scope: The repeal impacts the General Laws’ provision governing trapping methods for furbearing animals. While the text does not specify additional safeguards, the change would typically interact with any licensing, penalties, and wildlife management rules already in place for trapping activities.

Focus Species: The bill title references beavers, and the text notes the broader class of furbearing animals. Beavers could be affected insofar as trapping methods applicable to beavers are part of the regulatory framework for furbearing species.

Who and What Would Be Affected

Trappers and Wildlife Control Professionals: May gain the authority to use leghold traps, subject to existing licensing and regulatory requirements (which are not detailed in the provided text).

Beavers and Other Furbearing Species: Management options could change due to altered permissible trapping methods; population and dam-related management could be affected depending on existing beaver control programs.

Massachusetts Environment and Natural Resources stakeholders: Agencies and wildlife groups that regulate trapping practices and animal welfare standards would need to adjust procedures and guidance.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

Legislative History: Similar measure previously filed in 2023-2024 as House No. 799, indicating ongoing interest in the topic.

Next Steps (typical for a bill like this): Committee assignment (likely to Environment and Natural Resources) for public hearings, amendments, and potential passage by both House and Senate, followed by signature or veto by the Governor.

Form of Change: The bill would take effect only if enacted into law; current text establishes the statutory repeal but does not provide effective date specifics.

Notes

The materials provided do not include a status update or detailed fiscal impact.

If enacted, the repeal would shift regulatory dynamics around trapping methods; additional regulations (licensing, humane standards, trapping seasons, and penalties) would typically accompany such a change, though not specified here.

Bill