SCS/HCS/HBs 205, 323 & 549 - This amends various provisions relating to conservation.

WOOD ENERGY TAX CREDIT - This act will extend the time a wood energy producer can claim a tax credit for use of processed material from five years to ten years.

REINTRODUCTION OF WILD ELK - This act prohibits the reintroduction of wild elk and makes release of wild elk a Class A misdemeanor. Should the prohibition against the release of wild elk be found unconstitutional, the act makes the Department of Conservation liable for all damages resulting from reintroduction of elk. Examples include damages to crops, fences, livestock, and vehicles and personal injuries. It further provides that landowners or lessors may destroy elk if they have damaged the property.

RESTITUTION FOR TROPHY DEER - This act provides restitution amounts for persons convicted of taking, killing, possessing or disposing of deer in violation of methods, seasons and limits defined by Conservation Commission rules and regulations. However, resident landowners will not be required to provide restitution so long as no part of the deer is removed from the property. Moneys collected would be deposited and credited to the Conservation Commission. The Commission may allocate up to 25% of the moneys for grants to promote anti-poaching activities. If a person fails to appear at a hearing or fails to pay the fine imposed the court will notify the Conservation Commission who can consider suspending, revoking or denying the persons hunting privileges.

SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY - The Conservation Commission could administer a cost-share incentive program to promote sustainable forestry on private lands. The program may reimburse the forest landowner for up to 50% of precommercial forestry activities and forestry activities must be carried out in accordance with best management practices. An application must be for a tract of land of at least 40 acres. No one person shall exceed $5,000 in incentives per year.

FERAL HOGS - This act allows landowners to kill any feral hogs on their property or would allow any person to kill a feral hog on public land. However, during firearms deer and turkey hunting season the regulation of the Missouri Wildlife Code will apply. Any person knowingly releasing swine to live in the wild shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor for each such release.

Provisions of this act are similar to SBs 38, 107, 315, 368 and 519.
CINDY KADLEC