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HF 4746

Open season for taking wolves prohibited, and criminal penalties increased.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Peter Fischer

Prohibits an open season for wolves and increases criminal penalties for harming or unlawfully taking wolves.

Introduction and first reading, referred to Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
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Bill Summary · HF 4746

Summary of HF 4746 (Minnesota, 2025-2026)

Basic information

  • Bill: HF 4746
  • Session: 2025-2026
  • Jurisdiction: Minnesota
  • Title (as listed): Open season for taking wolves prohibited, and criminal penalties increased
  • Status: Introduced and referred to Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy (as of 2026-03-26)
  • Sponsor: Co-sponsor Peter Fischer

Purpose and intent

HF 4746 seeks to prohibit any open season for taking wolves and to increase criminal penalties related to wolf hunting or harming wolves. The bill aligns with a wildlife protection framework that restricts hunting of gray wolves and enhances punitive measures for violations.

Key provisions (as indicated by title and available action history)

  • Prohibition on open season: The bill would explicitly ban an open hunting season for wolves, meaning wolves could not be hunted during a specified period or under general hunting licenses.
  • Increased penalties: The bill proposes higher criminal penalties for violations involving wolves. While specific penalties (e.g., fines, imprisonment terms, or enhanced penalties for particular acts) are not listed in the provided summary, the intent is to raise the severity of consequences for harming, trapping, taking, or otherwise unlawfully dealing with wolves.
  • Regulatory alignment: By prohibiting open seasons and increasing penalties, the bill likely interacts with existing wildlife, criminal, and enforcement statutes, potentially requiring adjustments to enforcement protocols and regional wildlife management plans.

Who would be affected

  • Wolves and wildlife management outcomes: The primary wildlife affected are gray wolves within Minnesota, particularly those populations currently subject to hunting or trapping under state regulation.
  • Hunters and licensees: Individuals or entities that previously could participate in wolf hunting under an open season or more lenient penalties would be restricted or barred from such activities.
  • Law enforcement and judiciary: Agencies and courts responsible for wildlife enforcement and criminal penalties would implement and adjudicate the heightened penalties and the prohibition on open seasons.
  • Conservation and stakeholder groups: Hunters, rural communities, conservation organizations, and other stakeholders with interests in wolf management and wildlife protection would be impacted in terms of policy direction and enforcement emphasis.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and first reading: 2026-03-26; referred to Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy.
  • Next steps (typical legislative path): If moved forward, the bill would proceed to committee hearings, potential amendments, floor votes in the House, and, if passed, would move to the Senate for consideration, followed by a conference process if there are differences, and ultimately potential signatures by the governor.
  • Effective date: The current summary does not specify an effective date; typical legislation includes an effective date after passage, which would be defined in the final bill text.

Notes

  • The summary is based on the bill title and the provided action history. For a complete understanding, the full text of HF 4746 and fiscal notes, as well as committee analyses, would be required to identify exact statutory changes, enforcement mechanisms, penalty amounts, and any exemptions or transitional provisions.

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

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