Public Act No. 23-77 Summary

• Permits the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection to issue permits for taking wildlife causing unreasonable nighttime damage to agricultural crops when daytime control is impracticable, using methods including lights between sunset and sunrise, but does not apply to deer.

• Requires nuisance wildlife control operators (other than those controlling rats or mice) to obtain a two-year license costing $250, complete approved training in lethal and nonlethal methods, and comply with 1993 American Veterinary Medical Association euthanasia standards.

• Municipal animal control officers are exempt from licensing fees and receive free training but must meet the same requirements as private operators; emergency rabies control is exempt from licensing.

• Establishes penalties for moose or bear taking violations: first offense up to $500 fine and 30 days imprisonment with hunting license suspension of at least one year; third offense results in permanent license revocation.

• Prohibits intentional feeding of potentially dangerous animals (felidae, canidae, ursidae including black bears, bobcats, coyotes, and foxes) on non-state-owned land; violations are infractions enforceable by conservation officers and allow municipal ordinances more restrictive than state law.