hb1488_LC_25_4323_a_2.html
06 LC 25 4323
House Bill 1488
By: Representatives Burns of the 157th, Lane of the 158th, Roberts of the 154th, Harbin of the 118th, and May of the 111th

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To amend Part 1 of Article 1 of Chapter 3 of Title 27 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to hunting, so as to change certain provisions relating to unlawful use of certain substances and equipment in hunting game animals or game birds; to define a term; to prohibit computer assisted remote hunting; to provide punishments for violations; to provide for forfeiture of certain equipment used in the commission of crime; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.
Part 1 of Article 1 of Chapter 3 of Title 27 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to hunting, is amended by striking Code Section 27-3-12, relating to unlawful use of certain substances and equipment in hunting game animals or game birds, and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
"27-3-12.
(a) It shall be unlawful to hunt any wild animal, game animal, or game bird by means of drugs, poisons, chemicals, smoke, gas, explosives, recorded calls or sounds, or recorded and electronically imitated or amplified sounds or imitations of calls or sounds calls. It shall also be unlawful to use electronic communications equipment for the purpose of facilitating pursuit of any wild animal, game bird, or game animal.
(b)(1) As used in this subsection, the term 'computer assisted remote hunting' means the use of a computer or other device, equipment, hardware, or software to control remotely the aiming and discharge of a firearm or other weapon so as to allow a person not holding that firearm or other weapon to hunt or shoot a wild animal or any wildlife.
(2) It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, partnership, or association to engage in computer assisted remote hunting or provide or operate a facility that allows others to engage in computer assisted remote hunting if the wild animal or wildlife being hunted or shot is located in this state.
(3)(A) Any person violating the provisions of this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not less than $1,000.00 and not more than $5,000.00, imprisonment for a term not to exceed 12 months, or both such fine and imprisonment.
(B) Any equipment used or intended for use in a violation of this Code section, excluding motor vehicles, is declared to be contraband and shall be forfeited to the state.
(C) The hunting and fishing privileges of any person convicted of violating this subsection shall be suspended for three years."

SECTION 2.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.