Committee approves exception allowing taxidermists to receive carcasses across state lines under conditions
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Summary
Senate Bill 1077 was reported as due passed. The bill adds an exception permitting transport of whole deer carcasses into the state to taxidermists in good standing, clarifying an existing disease-prevention rule; committee members cited chronic wasting disease concerns and cross-border hunting patterns.
Representative Strom presented Senate Bill 1077 and said the bill amends laws restricting the movement of wildlife carcasses across state lines to add an exception for taxidermists in good standing with the wildlife commission.
“We have a system of laws of bringing wildlife dead carcasses in and out of the state... we're fixing a problem,” Strom said, explaining that the bill would allow hunters to bring carcasses to taxidermists who are in good standing with the secretary of state (as described in the presentation).
Members discussed chronic wasting disease (CWD) and prion transmission as background for the existing restrictions. Representative Cornwell said the alternative to allowing trusted taxidermists to handle carcasses might be hunters discarding parts of carcasses in ditches; he argued permitting whole carcasses to go to reputable taxidermists could be a safer outcome.
A motion to report the bill as due passed was made and seconded. The roll call recorded unanimous support; the clerk announced 6 yeas and 0 nays. The chair declared the motion passed and then adjourned the committee.
The sponsor said the bill adds a section clarifying that transportation into the state to a taxidermist who is in good standing is permitted; the committee discussion emphasized CWD concerns and the balance between disease prevention and practical disposal of carcass material.