HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3557        FILED ON: 1/18/2019

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 773

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Lori A. Ehrlich and Ann-Margaret Ferrante

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act further regulating the enforcement of illegal hunting practices.

_______________

PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3557        FILED ON: 1/18/2019

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 773

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-First General Court
(2019-2020)

_______________

An Act further regulating the enforcement of illegal hunting practices.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1.  Chapter 21A of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out section 10H, as appearing in the 2016 Official Edition, and inserting in place thereof the following section:-

Section 10H. A person notified to appear before the clerk of a district court as provided in section 10G for a violation of the regulations promulgated pursuant to chapter 90B or the rules and regulations of the division of fisheries and wildlife regulating activity on land under the management of the division or for a violation of section 2 to 4, inclusive, 5, 5A, 6, 7, subsection (b) of section 9, section 12, 12A or 13A of chapter 90B or for a violation of section 17A, 33, 34, 36, 39, 40, 51, 69 to 72, inclusive, 81, 82 or 95 of chapter 130 may appear within the time specified and pay a fine of $50.

A person notified to appear before the clerk of a district court as provided in section 10G for a violation of subsection (b), (c) or (e) of section 8 of chapter 90B or for a violation of section 35, 37, 38, 38A, 41, 41A, 44, 67, 68, 80, 92, 100A or 100C of chapter 130 or all other violations of chapter 131, not mentioned below, may appear and pay a fine of $100.

A person notified to appear before the clerk of a district court as provided in section 10G for a violation of any provision of section 21A, 60-65A inclusive, 68, 75A and 77A of chapter 131 may appear and pay a fine of $200.

A person notified to appear before the clerk of a district court as provided in section 10G for a violation of any provision of sections 21 to 24, inclusive, of chapter 90B may appear and pay a fine of $250.

A person notified to appear before the clerk of a district court as provided in section 10G for a violation of section 47 or 75 of chapter 130 or for a violation of section 73 of chapter 131 may appear and pay a fine of $500.

A person notified to appear before the clerk of a district court as provided in section 10G for a violation of section 5C of chapter 90B may appear and pay a fine of $2,000.

For the purposes of this section, “person” shall mean a natural person, corporation, association, partnership or other legal entity or other legal agency or political subdivision of the commonwealth.

SECTION 2. Section 10 of chapter 131 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after the first paragraph the following 2 paragraphs:-

The established borders of a wildlife sanctuary, which shall include any entry path or way, shall be posted to provide conspicuous notice to the public of the designation of the land as a wildlife sanctuary and of the prohibitions under the preceding paragraph.  If the required notice has not been posted, a person shall have an affirmative defense against an alleged violation of a prohibition under this section.

The director shall adopt regulations regarding the posting of wildlife sanctuary land which shall include a requirement that notice shall be posted in a conspicuous manner for the type of terrain, at intervals of not greater than 300 feet in distance along the borders of the land.  

SECTION 3. Said section 21A of said chapter 131, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 17, the word “six” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- 12.

SECTION 4. Said chapter 131 is hereby further amended by striking out section 34, as so appearing, and inserting in place thereof the following section:-

Section 34. A license, permit or certificate issued under this chapter, except a license issued under clause (3), (4) or (6) of section 23, and held by a person found guilty of, convicted of or assessed in any manner after a plea of nolo contendere or penalized for a violation of clause (15) of section 4 or for a violation of section 5, 10, 11 to 13, inclusive, 16, 32, 33, 54, 57, 58, 61 to 65, inclusive, 66 to 68, inclusive, 70, 72, 73, 75, 80 or 85  for which that particular license, permit or certificate was issued, shall be void and shall be immediately surrendered to an officer authorized to enforce this chapter. No such person or a person acting on such person’s behalf shall make application for or be issued a license, permit or certificate that was voided due to: 

(i) a violation of clause (15) of section 4 or section 12, 13, 16, 33, 54, 57, 58, 61, 63, 64, 66, 67, 70, 72 or 80 for 1 year from the date that person was found guilty of or penalized for the violation;

(ii) a first violation of section 5, 10, 11, 32, 62, 65, 68, 73, 75 or 85 for not less than 1 year but not more than 3 years from the date that person was found guilty of or penalized for the violation;

(iii) a second violation of section 5, 11, 32, 62, 65, 68, 73, 75 or 85 for not less than 3 years but not more than 10 years from the date that person was found guilty of or penalized for the violation;

(iv) a second violation of section 10 for not less than 3 years but not more than 5 years from the date that person was found guilty of or penalized for the violation;

(v) a third or subsequent violation of section 5, 11, 32, 62, 65, 68, 73, 75 or 85 for not less than 10 years from the date that person was found guilty of or penalized for the violation; or

(vi) a third or subsequent violation of section 10 for not less than 5 years but not more than 10 years from the date that person was found guilty of or penalized for the violation.

A license, permit or certificate issued in violation of this section shall be void and shall be immediately surrendered to an officer authorized to enforce this chapter.

No fee received for a license, permit or certificate that has become void for a violation of this section shall be refunded to the holder thereof.

SECTION 5. Said chapter 131 is hereby further amended by striking out sections 90 and 90A, as so appearing, and inserting in place thereof the following 3 sections:-

Section 90. Whoever violates section 21A and 68, shall be punished by a fine of not less than $300 but not more than $1,000 or by imprisonment for not more than 1 year or by both such fine and imprisonment. In addition, for each bird or mammal, other than a deer, bear or turkey, unlawfully killed, taken, held or possessed or for each nest or egg unlawfully taken, molested, distributed or destroyed, a person shall be punished by a fine of not less than $200 but not more than $500. For each deer unlawfully killed or possessed, a person shall be punished by a fine of not less than $200 but not more than $500 or by imprisonment for not more than 6 months or by both such fine and imprisonment. For each bear unlawfully killed or possessed, a person shall be punished by a fine of not less than $300 but not more than $1,000 or by imprisonment for not more than 6 months or by both such fine and imprisonment. For each turkey unlawfully killed or possessed, a person shall be punished by a fine of not less than $200 but not more than $500 or by imprisonment for not more than 6 months or by both such fine and imprisonment.

Whoever violates section 5, 10, 11, 32, 62 or 85, shall be punished by a fine of not less than $200 but not more than $500 or by imprisonment for not more than 90 days or by both such fine and imprisonment. In addition, for each bird or mammal, other than a deer, bear or turkey, unlawfully killed, taken, held or possessed or for each nest or egg unlawfully taken, molested, distributed or destroyed, a person shall be punished by a fine of not less than $100 but not more than $500. For each deer unlawfully killed or possessed, a person shall be punished by a fine of not less than $500 but not more than $3,000 or by imprisonment for not more than 6 months or by both such fine and imprisonment.  For each bear unlawfully killed or possessed, a person shall be punished by a fine of not less than $1,000 but not more than $5,000 or by imprisonment for not more than 6 months or by both such fine and imprisonment. For each turkey unlawfully killed or possessed, a person shall be punished by a fine of not less than $500 but not more than $3,000 or by imprisonment for not more than 6 months or by both such fine and imprisonment.

Whoever violates section 73 shall be punished by a fine of not less than $1,000 but not more than $5,000 or by imprisonment for not more than 1 year or by both such fine and imprisonment. Whoever violates section 16, 28, 33, 48, 61, 63, 64 or 70 or of any rule or regulation made under authority thereof shall be punished by a fine of not less than $50 but not more than $100 or by imprisonment for not more than 60 days or by both such fine and imprisonment.

Whoever violates section 18, 19, 19A, 60 or 79 or of any rule or regulation made under authority thereof shall be punished by a fine of not less than $200 but not more than $500 or by imprisonment for not more than 6 months or by both such fine and imprisonment.

Whoever violates section 22 shall be punished by a fine of not less than $200 but not more than $500 or by imprisonment for not more than 6 months or by both such fine and imprisonment for each fish, bird or mammal, other than a deer, bear or moose, unlawfully bought, sold, bartered, exchanged, offered or exposed for sale or had in possession for the purpose of sale. In the case of a deer, moose or bear, a person shall be punished by a fine of not less than $1,000 but not more than $5,000 or by imprisonment for not more than 1 year or by both such fine and imprisonment.  A person found guilty of or convicted of a violation of this section who is the holder of a hunting or sporting license issued under this chapter shall lose any rights thereunder and the license shall be surrendered to an officer empowered to enforce this chapter. No other hunting or sporting license shall be granted to that person for at least 1 year.

Whoever violates any provision of section 41 to 43, inclusive, shall be punished by a fine of not less than $100 but not more than $5,000 or by imprisonment for not more than 2 years or by both such fine and imprisonment.

Whoever violates section 66, 67 or 86 shall be punished by a fine of not less than $200 but not more than $500 or by imprisonment for not more than 1 year or by both such fine and imprisonment. Whoever fails to keep open or maintain a fishway as prescribed by the director under clause (14) of section 4 shall be punished by a fine of $50 for each day that such person fails to keep open or maintain that fishway as prescribed.

Whoever violates section 65 shall be punished by a fine of not less than $200 but not more than $500 or by imprisonment for not more than 1 year or by both such fine and imprisonment.

Whoever violates section 74 or 76 shall be punished by a fine of not less than $200 but not more than $500 or by imprisonment for not more than 30 days or by both such fine and imprisonment for each bird or mammal taken, killed or removed and for each nest or egg taken, disturbed, molested or destroyed.

Whoever violates section 77 shall be punished by a fine of not less than $200 but not more than $500 or by imprisonment for not more than 30 days or by both such fine and imprisonment.

Whoever violates section 75 shall be punished by a fine of not less than $200 but not more than $500 or by imprisonment for not more than 6 months or by both such fine and imprisonment for each wild turkey knowingly and unlawfully had in possession and for each nest or egg thereof taken, molested, disturbed, destroyed or unlawfully had in possession.

Whoever violates section 77A shall be punished by a fine of not less than $300 but not more than $1,000.

Whoever violates section 75A shall be punished by a fine of not less than $300 but not more than $1,000 or by imprisonment for not more than 6 months or by both such fine and imprisonment. Such person, subject to section 34, shall not be issued a license, permit or certificate under this chapter  for at least 3 years after the date that such person was found guilty or penalized for violating said section 75A.

Whoever violates clause (14) of section 4 relative to a dam or obstruction for passage of anadromous fish or who refuses or neglects to keep open or maintain a fishway at the time prescribed by the director shall be punished by a fine of $50 for each day that such person fails to keep open or maintain the dam or fishway as prescribed.

Whoever violates section 5C shall be punished by a fine of not less than $100 but not more than $500 or by imprisonment for not more than 14 days or by both such fine and imprisonment.

A violation of this chapter  or a rule or regulation promulgated under this chapter for which no other penalty is provided shall be punished by a fine of not less than $200 but not more than $500 or by imprisonment for not more than 30 days or by both such fine and imprisonment. Upon a conviction for a violation of this chapter, any net, snare, trap, jacklight or other similar device used by a person or any bird or mammal taken in violation of this chapter shall be forfeited to the commonwealth and shall be disposed of by the director of law enforcement.

In addition to the penalties provided in this section , a person convicted of the illegal taking or possession of animals, birds, fur-bearing animals or fish resulting in the injury, death or destruction of the same shall be required to make restitution to the commonwealth for the value of each animal, bird, fur-bearing animal or fish illegally taken or possessed as follows:

(i) a deer, moose or bear, $500 per animal; if the animal taken is deemed to be a trophy standard as categorized by a professional organization such as Northeast Big Buck club, Boone and Crocket or Pope and Young organizations, but not limited to, the restitution shall be $1,000 per animal;

(ii) a raptor or bird of prey, $500 per animal;

(iii) a wild turkey, fisher, bobcat or otter, $300 per animal;

(iv) a fox, coyote or beaver, $100 per animal;

(v) a mink, muskrat, raccoon, wild rabbit, hare or gray squirrel, $50 per animal;

(vi) a ruffed grouse, pheasant, quail, woodcock or migratory waterfowl, $50 per bird;

(vi) a fish, $25 per fish; and

(vii) any other animal or bird, $50 per animal or bird.

A person convicted of the illegal taking or possession of endangered, threatened and special concern species included on the official list of endangered, threatened and special concern species established pursuant to section 4 of chapter 131A may be required to make restitution to the commonwealth for the value of each such species illegally taken or possessed as follows:

(i) endangered species, $2,000;

(ii) threatened species, $1,000; and

(iii) special concern species, $500.

No fine imposed for a violation of this chapter shall be suspended or waived.

For a conviction involving the illegal taking or possession of animals, birds, fur-bearing animals and fish, the court may order the defendant to reimburse the commonwealth in a sum that exceeds the amounts established in this section. Such reimbursement shall be paid directly to the court.  If 2 or more defendants are convicted of the illegal taking or possession of an animal, bird, fur-bearing animal or fish, the reimbursement shall be declared against the defendants jointly and severally. The court ordering such reimbursement shall remit the funds as prescribed in section 3.

Any person failing to make a damage assessment payment ordered by the court shall be guilty of contempt and such person shall not be eligible for a license issued by the division until all assessments are paid in full.

Section 90A. A person whose privilege to hunt, trap or fish has been suspended or revoked in any jurisdiction in the United States or Canada shall not be issued a license for such activity in the commonwealth or if licensed in the commonwealth at the time of a suspension or revocation in another jurisdiction, the license issued in the commonwealth shall be suspended during the period of that suspension or revocation if, after notice and hearing, the director determines that the offense carrying the suspension or revocation would constitute a violation of section 5, 10, 13, 21A, 22, 61, 62, 64, 65, 68, 69, 73, to 75A, inclusive, 79, to  80A, inclusive, or 82. The licensee shall immediately return the license to the division of fisheries and wildlife.

A person who hunts, traps or fishes in the commonwealth when that person’s privilege to conduct such activity has been suspended or revoked in any jurisdiction of the United States or Canada for an offense that would constitute a violation of section 5, 10, 13, 21A, 22, 61, 62, 64, 65, 68, 69, 73 to 75A, inclusive, 79, to 80A, inclusive, or 82 shall be punished in accordance with the penalties assessed for hunting, trapping or fishing without a license in violation of section 11. A person who fails to immediately return a license in violation of this section shall be punished by a fine of not less than $200 but not more than $500.

Section 90B. Whoever is convicted of a third or subsequent violation of section 5, 22, 65 or 68 within a 10-year period shall be punished by a fine of not less than $1,000 but not more than $15,000 or by imprisonment for not more than 5 years in a state prison or by both such fine and imprisonment.

The penalties in this section shall apply to persons whose total violations within the 10-year period involve 3 or more animals and shall also apply to each violation thereafter.

The species covered by this section shall include deer, turkey, moose, fisher, bobcat, bear, any bird of prey as defined in section 75A and any endangered, threatened or special concern species included on the official list of endangered, threatened and special concern species established pursuant to section 4 of chapter 131A.

A person penalized under this section shall immediately surrender any license, permit or certificate issued under this chapter to an environmental police officer, deputy or other officer authorized to enforce this chapter, except a license issued under clause (3), (4) or (6) of section 23. The surrendered license, permit or certificate shall be void. No person or a person acting on that person’s behalf shall be given or apply for a license, permit or certificate that was voided due to a violation of this section for at least 10 years from the date that such person was found guilty or penalized and any license, permit or certificate wrongfully issued shall be void and shall be surrendered to an officer authorized to enforce this chapter.

SECTION 9. The General Laws are hereby amended by inserting after chapter 131A the following chapter:-

CHAPTER 131B

WILDLIFE VIOLATOR COMPACT

The director of the division of fisheries and wildlife shall enter into a compact on behalf of the commonwealth with any other jurisdiction legally joining therein in the form substantially as follows; provided, however, that notwithstanding any provision of chapter 131B or the compact manual to the contrary, a violation resulting in a citation, conviction or suspension by another participating state pursuant to Article III, Article IV or Article V, as applicable, shall be a violation of chapter 130, 131 or chapter 131A as determined by the division of fisheries and wildlife or the division of marine fisheries.

ARTICLE I. Findings and Purpose

(a) The participating states find that:

(1) wildlife resources are managed in trust by the respective states for the benefit of all residents and visitors;

(2) the protection of the wildlife resources of a state is materially affected by the degree of compliance with state laws, regulations, ordinances and administrative rules relating to the management of those resources;

(3) the preservation, protection, management and restoration of wildlife contributes immeasurably to the aesthetic, recreational and economic aspects of such natural resources;

(4) wildlife resources are valuable without regard to political boundaries, therefore every person should be required to comply with wildlife preservation, protection, management and restoration laws, ordinances and administrative rules and regulations of the participating states as a condition precedent to the continuance or issuance of a license to hunt, fish, trap or possess wildlife;

(5) violations of wildlife laws interfere with the management of wildlife resources and may endanger the safety of people and property;

(6) the mobility of many wildlife law violators necessitates the maintenance of channels of communication among the various states;

(7) in most instances, a person who is cited for a wildlife violation in a state other than that person’s home state is:

(i) required to post collateral or a bond to secure appearance for a trial at a later date;

(ii) taken into custody until the collateral or bond is posted; or

(iii) taken directly to court for an immediate appearance;

(8) the purpose of the enforcement practices set forth in clause (7) is to ensure compliance with the terms of a wildlife citation by the cited person who, if permitted to continue on after receiving the citation, could return to that person’s home state and disregard the duty established by the terms of the citation;

(9) in most instances, a person receiving a wildlife citation in that person’s home state may accept the citation from the officer at the scene of the violation and immediately continue on after agreeing or being instructed to comply with the terms of the citation;

(10) the practices described in clause (7) cause unnecessary inconvenience and, at times, a hardship for the person who is unable to post collateral at the time of the violation, furnish a bond, stand trial or pay a fine and thus is compelled to remain in custody until some alternative arrangement is made; and

(11) the enforcement practices described in clause (7) consume an undue amount of time of law enforcement agencies.

(b) It is the policy of the participating states to:

(1) promote compliance with the laws, ordinances, regulations and administrative rules relating to the management of wildlife resources in their respective states;

(2) recognize a suspension of the wildlife license privileges of a person whose license privileges have been suspended by a participating state and treat that suspension as if it had occurred in each respective state;

(3) allow a violator, if that violator’s home state is a party to this compact, to continue on, without delay, after receiving a wildlife citation in another member state, except as provided in subsection (b) of Article III;

(4) report to the appropriate participating state, as provided in the compact manual, any conviction recorded against a person whose home state was not the issuing state;

(5) allow the home state to recognize and treat convictions recorded against its residents, when a conviction occurs in another participating state, as though that conviction had occurred in the violator’s home state;

(6) extend cooperation to its fullest extent among the participating states for enforcing compliance with the terms of a wildlife citation issued in 1 participating state to a resident of another participating state;

(7) maximize the effective use of law enforcement personnel and information; and

(8) assist court systems in the efficient disposition of wildlife violations.

(c) The purpose of this compact is to:

(1) provide a means through which participating states may join in a reciprocal program to effectuate the policies enumerated in subsection (b) in a uniform and orderly manner; and

(2) provide for the fair and impartial treatment of wildlife violators operating within participating states in recognition of a violator's right to due process and the sovereign status of a participating state.

ARTICLE II. Definitions

As used in this compact, the following words shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

"Citation", a summons, complaint, ticket, penalty assessment or other official document issued to a person by a wildlife officer or peace officer for a wildlife violation which contains an order requiring the person to respond.

"Collateral", cash or other security deposited to secure an appearance for trial in connection with the issuance by a wildlife officer or peace officer of a citation for a wildlife violation.

"Compliance", the act of answering a citation by an appearance in a court or tribunal or the payment of any fines, costs or surcharges.     

"Conviction", a conviction that results in suspension or revocation of a license, including a court conviction, for an offense related to the preservation, protection, management or restoration of wildlife which is prohibited by state law, regulation, ordinance or administrative rule; provided, however, that “conviction” shall also include the forfeiture of any bail, bond or other security deposited to secure the appearance of a person charged with having committed any such offense, the payment of a penalty assessment, a plea of nolo contendere or the imposition of a deferred or suspended sentence by the court.

"Court", a court of law, including a magistrate's court and the justice of the peace court.

"Home state", the state of primary residence of a person.

"Issuing state", the participating state that issues a wildlife citation to the violator.

"License" a license, permit or other public document that conveys to the person to whom it was issued the privilege of pursuing, possessing or taking any wildlife regulated by law, regulation, ordinance or administrative rule of a participating state, any privilege to obtain such license, permit or other public document or any statutory exemption from the requirement to obtain any such license, permit or other public document.

"Licensing authority", the department or division within each participating state that is authorized by law to issue or approve licenses or permits to hunt, fish, trap or possess wildlife.

"Participating state", any state that enacts legislation to become a member of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact.

"Personal recognizance", an agreement by a person, made at the time a wildlife citation is issued, that such person will comply with the terms of the citation.

"State", a state, territory or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the provinces of Canada and other countries.

"Suspension", revocation, denial or withdrawal of license privileges, including the privilege to apply for, purchase or exercise the benefits conferred by a license.

"Terms of the citation", conditions and options expressly stated on the citation.

"Wildlife", all species of animals including, but not limited to, mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, mollusks and crustaceans which are defined as "wildlife" and are protected or otherwise regulated by law, regulation, ordinance or administrative rule in a participating state; provided, however, that species included in the definition of "wildlife" may vary from state to state and the determination of whether a species is "wildlife" for the purposes of this compact shall be based on local law.

"Wildlife law", a law, regulation, ordinance or administrative rule developed and enacted for the management and use of wildlife resources.

"Wildlife officer", an individual authorized by a participating state to issue a citation for a wildlife violation.

"Wildlife violation", a cited violation of a law, regulation, ordinance or administrative rule developed and enacted for the management and use of wildlife resources.

ARTICLE III. Procedures for Issuing State

(a) When issuing a citation for a wildlife violation, a wildlife officer shall issue a citation to a person whose primary residence is in a participating state in the same manner as though the person were a resident of the issuing state and shall not require that person to post collateral to secure appearance; provided, however, that subject to the exceptions noted in subsection (b), the officer shall receive the recognizance of that person stating that the person will comply with the terms of the citation.

(b) Personal recognizance shall be acceptable if it is not prohibited by local law, policy, procedure or regulation of the issuing agency or by the compact manual; provided, however, that the violator shall provide adequate proof of identification to the wildlife officer.

(c) Upon conviction or failure of a person to comply with the terms of a wildlife citation, the appropriate official shall report the conviction or failure to comply to the licensing authority of the participating state in which the wildlife citation was issued. The report shall be made under the procedures specified by the issuing state and shall contain information as specified in the compact manual as minimum requirements for effective processing by the home state.

(d) Upon receipt of the report of conviction or noncompliance under subsection (c), the licensing authority of the issuing state shall transmit to the licensing authority of the home state of the violator the information in the form and content prescribed in the compact manual.

ARTICLE IV. Procedure for Home State

(a) Upon receipt of a report from the licensing authority of the issuing state reporting the failure of a violator to comply with the terms of a citation, the licensing authority of the home state shall notify the violator and shall initiate a suspension action in accordance with the home state's suspension procedures and shall suspend the violator's license privileges until satisfactory evidence of compliance with the terms of the wildlife citation has been furnished by the issuing state to the home state licensing authority. Due process safeguards shall be accorded.

(b) Upon receipt of a report of conviction from the licensing authority of the issuing state, the licensing authority of the home state shall enter such conviction in its records and shall treat such conviction as though it occurred in the home state for the purposes of suspension of license privileges.

(c) The licensing authority of the home state shall maintain a record of actions taken and shall make reports to issuing states as provided in the compact manual.

ARTICLE V. Reciprocal Recognition of Suspension

(a) Each participating state may recognize the suspension of a person’s license privileges by another participating state as though the violation resulting in the suspension had occurred in that state and would have been the basis for suspension of license privileges in that state.

(b) Each participating state shall communicate suspension information to other participating states in the form and content contained in the compact manual.

ARTICLE VI. Applicability of Other Laws

Except as expressly required by this compact, this compact shall not affect the right of any participating state to apply its laws relating to license privileges to a person or circumstance or to invalidate or prevent an agreement or other cooperative arrangement between a participating state and a nonparticipating state concerning the enforcement of wildlife laws.

ARTICLE VII. Compact Administrator Procedures

(a) For the purpose of administering this compact and to serve as a governing body for the resolution of all matters relating to the operation of this compact, there shall be a board of compact administrators. The board shall be composed of 1 representative from each of the participating states who shall be known as the compact administrator. The compact administrator shall be appointed by the head of the licensing authority of each participating state and shall serve and be subject to removal under the laws of the state that the compact administrator represents. The compact administrator for the commonwealth shall be the director of the division of fisheries and wildlife or a designee. The compact administrator may provide for the discharge of the compact administrator’s duties and the performance of such functions as a board member by an alternate.  An alternate shall not serve unless written notification of the alternate’s identity has been given to the board.

(b) Each member of the board of compact administrators shall be entitled to 1 vote. No action of the board shall be binding unless taken at a meeting at which a majority of the total number of the board's votes are cast in favor of the action. Action by the board shall be only at a meeting at which a majority of the participating states are represented.

(c) The board shall annually elect, from its membership, a chair and a vice chair.

(d) The board shall adopt by-laws consistent with this compact or the laws of a participating state for the conduct of its business and may amend and rescind those by-laws.

(e) The board may accept donations and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials and services, conditional or otherwise, from any state, the United States or any governmental agency and may receive, use and dispose of the same in order to carry out the purposes and functions of the board under this compact.

(f) The board may contract with or accept services or personnel from a governmental or intergovernmental agency, individual, firm, corporation or private, nonprofit organization or institution.

(g) The board shall formulate all necessary procedures and develop uniform forms and documents for administering this compact. All procedures and forms adopted by board action shall be contained in a compact manual.

ARTICLE VIII. Entry into Compact and Withdrawal

(a) This compact shall become effective at such time as it is adopted in substantially similar form by at least 2 states.

(b) Entry into the compact shall be made by resolution of ratification executed by the authorized officials of the applying state and submitted to the chair of the board of compact administrators.

(c) The resolution shall be substantially in the form and content provided in the compact manual and shall include:

(i) a citation of the authority from which the state is empowered to become a party to this compact;

(ii) an agreement of compliance with the terms of the compact; and

(iii) an agreement that compact entry is with all states participating in the compact and with all additional states that may legally become a party to the compact.

(d) The effective date of entry shall be specified by the applying state but shall not be less than 60 days after notice has been given by the chair of the board of compact administrators or by a secretariat of the board to each participating state that the resolution from the applying state has been received.

(e) A participating state may withdraw from participation in this compact by official written notice to each participating state but withdrawal shall not become effective until 90 days after giving notice of withdrawal. The notice shall be directed to the compact administrator of each member state. The withdrawal of any state shall not affect the validity of this compact as to the remaining participating states.

ARTICLE IX. Amendments to the Compact

(a) This compact may be amended. Amendments shall be presented in resolution form to the chair of the board of compact administrators and shall be initiated by 1 or more participating states.

(b) Adoption of an amendment shall require endorsement by all participating states and shall become effective 30 days after the date of the last endorsement.

ARTICLE X. Construction and Severability

This compact shall be liberally construed so as to effectuate the purposes stated herein. The provisions of this compact shall be severable and if any phrase, clause, sentence or provision of this compact is declared to be contrary to the constitution of a participating state or of the United States or if the applicability thereof to any government, agency, individual or circumstance is held to be invalid, the validity of the remainder of this compact shall not be affected. If this compact is held contrary to the constitution of a participating state, the compact shall remain in full force and effect as to the remaining states and in full force and effect as to the participating state affected as to all severable matters.

SECTION 11. The division of fisheries and wildlife shall promulgate rules and regulations for the implementation of the Wildlife Violator Compact established in section 131B of the General Laws within 1 year after the effective date of this act.