HB 1636 Summary

• Defines feral hogs as a public nuisance and imminent threat to public health and safety, allowing capture or killing on private land with owner/lessee permission or on public land with valid hunting license and landowning entity approval.

• Requires feral hogs captured under the law to be immediately killed, except when captured on private property that is not moved, or when authorized by the commission for tracking or research purposes (in which case they must be euthanized upon project completion).

• Establishes criminal penalties of $1,000-$5,000 per hog and up to 90 days imprisonment for knowingly releasing live hogs, and $1,000 per hog or up to 30 days imprisonment for purchasing, selling, or transporting live feral hogs.

• Grants the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission authority to establish permit rules and fees, collect reasonable administrative fees, and impose penalties up to $1,000 per feral hog for violations.

• Transfers management of the Feral Hog Eradication Fund from the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission to the Department of Agriculture for expenses associated with feral hog eradication efforts.