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HB 382

Enact the Second Amendment Protection Act

136th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Sarah Fowler Arthur and 34 co-sponsors

North Carolina would issue one elk permit by raffle and one by auction for 2026, directing net proceeds to the Wildlife Resources Fund for elk conservation and management.

Referred to committee
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Bill Summary · HB 382

HB 382 — Elk Permit Auction / Raffle (North Carolina, 2025 session)

Status: Introduced; would authorize the Wildlife Resources Commission to issue elk hunting permits by raffle and by auction for the 2026 season and thereafter as described.

Main purpose

To create two alternative mechanisms (a raffle and an auction) for issuing a limited number of elk permits, and to direct the use of net proceeds to the Wildlife Resources Fund for elk conservation and management.

Key provisions

  • Commission authority
    • The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (Commission) shall issue one resident Elk Permit by raffle and one Elk Permit by auction for the 2026 hunting season, under Commission rules. Permits acquired this way are nontransferable and may not be resold or reassigned. Hunters issued permits must report and present any taken elk to Commission staff per permit conditions.
  • Raffle (resident permit)
    • Ticket price: $20 per ticket; purchasers may buy up to 30 tickets for a maximum of $500.
    • Eligibility: purchasers must hold a valid North Carolina hunting license or be license-exempt under G.S. 113‑276 at time of purchase.
    • Administrative costs: Commission may retain actual raffle administration costs up to $25,000.
    • Remaining raffle proceeds are deposited to the Wildlife Resources Fund to support elk conservation and management.
  • Auction (one permit)
    • The Commission shall select one nonprofit wildlife conservation organization (must have been involved in elk reintroduction) to conduct an auction for one Elk Permit.
    • The selected nonprofit may retain up to 25% of auction proceeds; remaining proceeds go to the Wildlife Resources Fund.
    • Selection and contracting for the auction are explicitly permitted notwithstanding state public contracting provisions (i.e., an exemption is provided).
  • Continuing authority (post‑2026)
    • For seasons after 2026 the Commission may continue to raffle and auction permits, subject to program evaluation and Commission judgment.
    • If an auction is held, the Commission must also conduct a raffle.
    • At least 50% of raffle-available permits must be reserved for North Carolina residents.
  • Reporting and fiscal intent
    • By March 1, 2027, and annually thereafter in years the programs occur, the Commission must report to legislative committees and the Fiscal Research Division on program effectiveness, amounts raised, and recommendations (including legislative suggestions).
    • The General Assembly states the intent that receipts from these activities supplement — not replace — other elk-management funding.
  • Conforming statutory edits
    • Minor statutory edits clarify that elk are included among “game animals” and that hunter-orange requirements apply to elk seasons.

Who is affected

  • Hunters: resident and nonresident hunters interested in elk permits (raffle restricted to residents by reservation requirement; auction potentially available to bidders as permitted by the auction rules).
  • Wildlife Resources Commission: new authority and administrative responsibilities (including cost retention and reporting).
  • Selected nonprofit conservation organization: may be engaged to conduct auctions and retain up to 25% of proceeds.
  • Wildlife Resources Fund and elk-management programs: will receive net proceeds for conservation/management.

Fiscal/administrative notes

  • The Commission may retain up to $25,000 from raffle proceeds for administration; nonprofits may retain up to 25% of auction proceeds. Remaining funds directed to the Wildlife Resources Fund.
  • The bill requires annual reporting to the legislature to evaluate program results and finances.

Timing / effective dates

  • Permits authorized under this act are for the 2026 hunting season.
  • Reporting first due by March 1, 2027.
  • The act becomes effective when it becomes law.

For more detail, see the bill text for the exact statutory amendments (G.S. 113 series) and the Commission rulemaking authority for implementation.

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

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