H.F. 175 Section 1. Section 481A.1, subsection 20, Code 2023, is 1 amended to read as follows: 2 20. “Fur-bearing animals” means the following , which 3 are declared to be fur-bearing animals for the purpose of 4 regulation and protection under the Code: black bear, beaver, 5 badger, mink, otter, muskrat, raccoon, skunk, opossum, spotted 6 skunk or civet cat, weasel, coyote, bobcat, wolf, groundhog, 7 red fox, and gray fox. This chapter does not apply to 8 domesticated fur-bearing animals. 9 Sec. 2. Section 481A.130, subsection 1, paragraph a, Code 10 2023, is amended to read as follows: 11 a. For each black bear, elk, antelope, buffalo, or moose, 12 two thousand five hundred dollars. 13 EXPLANATION 14 The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with 15 the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly. 16 This bill relates to the taking of black bears. The bill 17 designates black bears as a fur-bearing animal. The natural 18 resource commission may allow for the hunting or trapping of 19 black bears upon the acquisition of a fur-harvester license and 20 subject to limitations the commission imposes by rule. 21 A person who unlawfully takes a black bear is subject 22 to a scheduled fine dependent on the matter of the offense 23 relating to an unlawful take or attempt to take. Additionally, 24 a person who is convicted of unlawfully taking a black bear 25 shall pay civil damages in the amount of $2,500. A black bear 26 taken unlawfully is subject to seizure by the director of the 27 department of natural resources. 28 -1- LSB 1263HV (2) 90 js/rn 1/ 1