Bill
S 577
Allows hunting with bows and crossbows only if gear meets director-set rules on design, weight/draw, and types; shifts technical standards from statute to agency rulemaking.
Note on source material: the text provided appears to be a Massachusetts state bill (Senate Docket No. 418) presented by Senator Peter J. Durant titled “An Act relative to the use of crossbows in hunting.” Other metadata in the packet (a different bill title referencing “born alive abortion survivors’ protection act”, U.S. Senate sponsors, and multiple committee referrals) conflict with the Massachusetts bill text and docket. This summary is based on the actual bill language and docket information for the Massachusetts measure.
Purpose
- To authorize and regulate the use of bows and crossbows while hunting by delegating technical standards for their design and performance to the director (of the responsible state wildlife/park agency), via rulemaking.
Key provisions
- Amends Chapter 131, Section 64 (text change: removes a prior phrase referencing crossbows and substitutes wording ending with “nor”). (Exact effect depends on surrounding statutory language; the bill text changes the phrasing in §64.)
- Replaces existing Section 69 with a new Section 69 that provides:
- A person may not carry or use a bow and arrow or crossbow while hunting unless the bow/crossbow meets requirements established in rules and regulations promulgated by the director.
- Those rules must prescribe general design, weight of pull, and types of bows, arrows, or crossbows and must conform to standards generally accepted for hunting purposes.
- In short: use of bows and crossbows while hunting is conditioned on compliance with director-adopted technical standards.
Who is affected
- Hunters in the Commonwealth who use bows and/or crossbows.
- Bow and crossbow manufacturers, retailers and importers supplying equipment to Massachusetts hunters (products will need to conform to state-adopted standards).
- The director and the relevant state wildlife or natural resources agency, which will have rulemaking and enforcement responsibility.
- Law enforcement/Conservation officers enforcing hunting regulations.
Potential impacts
- Legalizes/clarifies the use of crossbows for hunting (subject to the director’s rules) where prior statutory language may have excluded or left ambiguity about crossbow use.
- Shifts specific technical determinations (design, draw weight, allowable types) from statute into administrative rulemaking, allowing the agency to update standards without additional legislation.
- May require hunters and equipment sellers to modify practices or inventory to meet the new regulatory standards once promulgated.
Procedural status (as provided)
- Filed/introduced: January 13, 2025 (Senate Docket No. 418). Presented by Peter J. Durant.
- Referred to: Committee on Environment and Natural Resources (per docket).
- Later action noted: Reported favorably by committee and referred to Senate Ways & Means (11/13/2025). A committee hearing was scheduled (10/21/2025).
- Because some provided action dates and committee referrals are inconsistent, consult the official Massachusetts legislative website or the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s docket to confirm current status and any subsequent amendments.
Notes and recommendations
- The bill delegates detailed technical standards to agency rulemaking; stakeholders should monitor agency rulemaking dockets for specific draw-weight thresholds, permitted crossbow types, and effective dates.
- Given inconsistencies in the provided packet (mismatched titles, federal sponsors), verify bill identity and status with the official state legislative site before relying on this summary for compliance or advocacy.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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