Bill
S 2754
Prohibits harassing or taking covered wildlife at competitive events; imposes criminal penalties, license suspensions up to 5 years, and forfeiture to wildlife division.
Status note (important)
- This summary is based on the bill text provided, which is written as an amendment to New Jersey statute (R.S. 23: — Title 23) and repeatedly references the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife. The surrounding metadata (committee names, some dates, and listed sponsors) appear to mix or conflict with other jurisdictional information. Verify the bill’s official source and state legislature docket before taking action.
Purpose
- To prohibit the harassment or taking of defined “covered wildlife” during competitive events (e.g., derbies, contests, tournaments) and to create criminal, administrative, and animal‑care consequences for violations.
Key definitions (selected)
- Competitive event: any organized activity, competition, contest, derby, tournament, or similar event where participants are encouraged and rewarded for taking wildlife.
- Covered wildlife: bobcat, coyote, crow, fox, mink, opossum, rabbit, raccoon, skunk, squirrel, weasel, woodchuck — including their dead bodies or parts.
- Harass: annoy, attack, disrupt normal behavior, or otherwise disturb wildlife without taking it.
- Take: to hunt, capture, kill, trap, catch, net, possess, collect, or attempt any of these.
Main provisions
- Prohibition: Except when part of a licensed field trial/field day authorized under R.S.23:4-26, it is unlawful to:
- Harass or take covered wildlife at a competitive event; and
- Organize, sponsor, promote, conduct, or participate in any competitive event where covered wildlife are harassed or taken.
- Animal care: Any covered wildlife injured during such an event must be taken to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or a state‑licensed veterinarian for treatment; humane euthanasia is permitted only after rehabilitation efforts fail.
- Forfeiture: Remains of covered wildlife killed at unlawful events (or euthanized under the bill) are forfeited to the Division of Fish and Wildlife and become Division property.
- Enforcement: Municipal police, State Police, and law enforcement officers of the Division of Fish and Wildlife and Division of Parks and Forestry may enforce the law.
Penalties and administrative sanctions
- Violations are a disorderly persons offense (in New Jersey law: up to 6 months imprisonment, a fine up to $1,000, or both).
- Additional sanctions include a five‑year suspension of:
- Any license or permit issued by the Division of Fish and Wildlife to the offender; and
- All privileges to take or possess wildlife.
Effective date
- The act takes effect immediately upon enactment.
Who is affected
- Hunters, event organizers, promoters, and participants in wildlife “derbies” or similar competitive events involving the listed species.
- Licensed trappers/hunters may be affected only insofar as the bill restricts competitive events; field trials/field days authorized under R.S.23:4-26 are exempt.
Procedural/timeline notes (from provided metadata)
- Introduced: 2025-09-10 (read twice and referred to committee per provided record).
- Reported from committee and referred to Rules committee: 2025-11-26.
- Companion/related bill: A1142 (companion).
- Verify the official legislative history for accurate chamber, sponsor list, and current status because some provided entries appear inconsistent.
Potential impact
- Seeks to curtail organized contests that incentivize killing or harassing of common meso‑ and small mammals and certain birds, shifting enforcement toward criminal and licensing consequences and emphasizing animal treatment and forfeiture where harm occurs.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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