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PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor
H.B. 1125
House Bill No. 1125
AN ACT concerning
Black Bears - Damage to Crops and livestock - Compensation
FOR the purpose of establishing a Black Bear Conservation Fund as a special, nonlapsing
fund in the Department of Natural Resources; providing that the source of funds
shall be from the sale of bear conservation stamps or decals and certain gifts or
contributions to the State; providing that annual contributions to the Fund shall be
used to reimburse farmers for certain damage to certain agricultural products and
that at the end of a year, any remaining funds shall bo transferred in a certain
manner for purposes of black bear research; providing certain limits and conditions
on the uses of the Fund; requiring the Department to adopt certain regulations; and
generally relating to the establishment and administration of a special fund for the
purpose of providing certain reimbursement for crop and livestock damage caused
by black bears.
BY adding to
Article - Natural Resources
Section 10-423.1
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1990 Replacement Volume and 1995 Supplement)
Preamble
WHEREAS, There have been instances beginning in 1987 through 1995 where
black bears were proven to have damaged crops or livestock in Maryland; and
WHEREAS, The Department of Natural Resources has existing programs for other
wildlife species that damage crops under which a farmer can obtain a permit at no cost for
removing the animal if the farmer can justify to the Department that animals have
damaged the farmer's crops; and
WHEREAS, It is the purpose of this Act to set up a system to reimburse farmers for
damage to their crops or livestock caused by black bears; and
WHEREAS, It is also the intent of this Act that, when the Department of Natural
Resources determines that the black bear carrying capacity has been reached, the
Department shall implement all the recommendations of the Black Bear Task Force
presented in September 1995; now, therefore,
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:
Article - Natural Resources
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