Chapter 562 Oregon Laws 2001

AN ACT

HB 3147

Relating to trapping; creating new provisions; and amending ORS 686.445.

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:

SECTION 1. Section 2 of this 2001 Act is added to and made a part of the wildlife laws.

SECTION 2. (1) A person holding a license issued under ORS 497.142 may not set a trap for fur-bearing mammals without checking the trap at least once during each 48-hour period.

(2) A person may not set a trap for a predatory animal, as defined in ORS 610.002, without checking the trap on a regular basis.

SECTION 3. (1) There is created the Trapping Best Management Practices Task Force consisting of five members. Members shall be citizens of this state who are familiar with the trapping of fur-bearing mammals and predatory animals. The five members shall be appointed as follows:

(a) Two public members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(b) Two public members appointed by the President of the Senate; and

(c) The Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, or the dean’s designee.

(2) The task force shall:

(a) Review the trapping management practices of various states.

(b) Review the best management practices program developed by the Furbearer Resources Technical Work Group of the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.

(c) Not later than January 31, 2003, submit a report to the Seventy-second Legislative Assembly, according to the provisions of ORS 192.230 to 192.250, that contains specific legislative recommendations for modifications to trapping regulations in this state.

(3) The State Department of Fish and Wildlife may provide staff as necessary for the performance of the functions of the task force.

(4) All agencies, departments and officers of this state are directed to assist the task force in the performance of its functions and to furnish such information and advice as the members of the task force consider necessary to perform their functions.

(5) Official action by the task force established pursuant to this section shall require the approval of a majority of the members.

SECTION 4. ORS 686.445 is amended to read:

686.445. (1) Licensed veterinarians and veterinary technicians may report to peace officers, animal control officers or officers of private organizations devoted to humane treatment of animals any animal that the veterinarian or veterinary technician knows or reasonably believes to be abandoned, neglected or abused. Any veterinarian or veterinary technician making a report under this section is immune from any civil or criminal liability by reason of making the report.

(2) Veterinarians licensed and practicing in Oregon shall report to the Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, in a form established by the dean, incidences of treating animals purported to have been injured by a trapping device.

Approved by the Governor June 22, 2001

Filed in the office of Secretary of State June 25, 2001

Effective date January 1, 2002

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