HB 576 Summary

• Prohibits feeding or permitting food placement that would reasonably result in 25 or more feral birds lingering, roosting, or congregating within a 20-foot radius.

• Exempts feeding of carrier pigeons, racing pigeons, show pigeons with valid permits; migratory birds with federal permits; caged birds; pest control operations; farm poultry; and birds used by government employees in official duties.

• Establishes escalating minimum fines for violations within 5 years: second violation ($100), third ($250), fourth ($500), fifth ($1,000), sixth ($2,500), and sixth or subsequent ($5,000), with maximum fine of $10,000 per offense.

• Creates temporary feral bird control task force with representatives from state and county agencies to develop comprehensive enforcement plan and submit recommendations to legislature by 2020.

• Takes effect July 1, 2050.