SB12 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Phillip W. Williams

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Hunting, authorize the taking of whitetail deer or feral swine by means of bait, when baiting privilege license is purchased, Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zones authorized, Commissioner of Dept. of Consv. and Nat'l Res. to establish, Sec. 9-11-244 am'd.

Summary

SB 12 would let hunters use bait to hunt whitetail deer or feral swine if they buy a baiting privilege license, and would create disease management zones that can restrict or prohibit baiting.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes taking whitetail deer or feral swine by bait on private lands when the hunter purchases a baiting privilege license. It allows the DCNR Commissioner to create Chronic Wasting Disease management zones and other disease zones and to suspend baiting in those zones; it also bans baiting in any county that contains part of a disease zone. It sets the bait privilege license fees for residents and nonresidents, and requires the license to be obtained like a standard hunting license. The act can be implemented through DCNR rules and takes effect immediately after the Governor signs.

Who It Affects

• Hunters who want to use bait to hunt whitetail deer or feral swine on private lands; they must purchase a baiting privilege license.
• Residents and nonresidents who hunt; they would pay the bait privilege license fees (resident $14 + $1 issuance, nonresident $50 + $1 issuance).
• People hunting on privately owned or leased lands where baiting is allowed, since baiting is tied to having the license.
• People in counties that contain any part of a Chronic Wasting Disease management zone or other disease zones; baiting would be prohibited in those counties and could be suspended elsewhere to prevent disease spread.
• Individuals exempt from other hunting license requirements; they would still need to purchase a bait privilege license.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes taking whitetail deer or feral swine by means of bait when a baiting privilege license is purchased from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
• Allows the Commissioner to establish Chronic Wasting Disease management zones and disease management zones for other infectious or contagious diseases.
• Permits suspension of the use of a baiting privilege license in these disease management zones under certain conditions.
• Prohibits the use of bait in any county containing a portion of a disease management zone.
• Sets bait privilege license fees: resident $14 per year plus $1 issuance; nonresident $50 per year plus $1 issuance; fees subject to adjustment.
• Requires the bait privilege license to be procured in the same manner as an annual hunting license.
• Declares that individuals exempt from purchasing a hunting license are not exempt from needing a bait privilege license.
• Allows the commissioner to suspend the use of the baiting privilege license on a county, regional, or statewide basis to prevent disease spread, announced via a news release.
• Authorizes the Department to adopt rules to implement the act.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Hunters and Hunting