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SB 2283

CWD testing; make third violation a felony with an increased penalty.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Ben Suber

Bill elevates third CWD testing violations to felonies with increased penalties to enforce mandatory deer testing for disease control.

Died In Committee
#wildlife #fisheriesandparks
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Bill Summary · SB 2283

Legislative bill overview

SB 2283 would elevate chronic wasting disease (CWD) testing violations to a felony offense on a third violation, with increased criminal penalties. The bill targets hunters or wildlife processors who fail to comply with mandatory CWD testing requirements for harvested deer.

Why is this important

CWD is a fatal, transmissible neurological disease affecting deer and elk populations. Mandatory testing helps wildlife agencies track disease spread and prevent infected animals from entering the human food supply. Strengthening penalties aims to ensure compliance with public health and wildlife conservation protocols.

Potential points of contention

  • Proportionality concern: Making a third testing violation a felony—potentially resulting in jail time and permanent criminal record—may be considered excessive for a regulatory non-compliance issue, especially compared to typical hunting violations
  • Enforcement burden: Increased criminal penalties require greater enforcement resources and court involvement; unclear if benefits justify administrative costs
  • Clarity on violations: The bill's definition of what constitutes separate violations and how they're counted/tracked during a hunter's lifetime needs specification to avoid unfair application

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

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