HB 66 Summary

• Requires hunters in Mississippi with valid licenses to donate all unwanted wild game meat to local food banks or nonprofit charitable organizations.

• Allows hunters to donate directly to organizations of their choice or express intent to donate when depositing game animals at licensed processing establishments; meat unclaimed after two months is presumed abandoned and must be donated.

• Establishes Class II violation and penalty for improper disposal of edible portions or carcasses of wild game animals in unsuitable areas.

• Requires licensed processing establishments that accept donated or unclaimed wild game to register with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.

• Amends Mississippi Code sections related to meat inspection to include wild game animals in definitions and regulatory requirements; expands "apparently wholesome food" definition to include wild game products for food donation liability protections; effective July 1, 2013.