Budget Amendment ID: FY2017-S4-888-R1

Redraft ENV 888

Timber Rattlesnakes

Mr. Lesser moved that the proposed new text be amended in section 2, in item 2310-0200, by inserting after section 77 the following section:-

“SECTION 77A. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, for 1 year after the effective date of this act, a population of crotalus horridus, also known as timber rattlesnakes, shall not be established or re-established in a location in which timber rattlesnakes were not documented as of May 1, 2016. Not later than July 31, 2016, the division of fisheries and wildlife shall establish a working group to recommend best practices to protect existing timber rattlesnake populations. The working group shall submit its recommendations to the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on environment, natural resources and agriculture not later than December 31, 2016.”