MINUTES OF THE
SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES
Sixty-seventh Session
June 1, 1993
The Senate Committee on Natural Resources was called to order by Chairman R. Hal Smith, at 9:18 a.m., on Tuesday, June 1, 1993, in Room 224 of the Legislative Building, Carson City, Nevada. Exhibit A is the Meeting Agenda. Exhibit B is the Attendance Roster.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:
Senator R. Hal Smith, Chairman
Senator Dean A. Rhoads, Vice Chairman
Senator Thomas J. Hickey
Senator Mark A. James
Senator Joseph M. Neal, Jr.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Ernest E. Adler
Senator Dina Titus
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
Caren Jenkins, Senior Research Analyst
Rayanne Francis, Senate Committee Secretary
OTHERS PRESENT:
Jan Rogers, President, Alliance for Animals
Mark McGuire, Executive Director, Nevada Humane Society
Grace G. Morrell, Representing Self
Joel Blakeslee, President, Nevada Trappers Association, Inc.
Gene Gerdes, Vice President, Nevada Trappers Association, Inc.
Terry R. Crawforth, Deputy Director, Nevada Department of
Wildlife
Ira Hansen, Member, Board of Directors, Nevada Alliance for
Responsible Animal Use
Dick Biggs, Ormsby Sportsmens Association
Eric Rasmussen, Owner, Spanish Springs Game Birds and Employee,
Big Canyon Ranch
Mark Marin, Member, Nevada Trappers Association, Inc.
Elsie Dupree, Northern Nevada Vice President, Nevada Wildlife
Federation, Inc.
DeLoyd Satterthwaite, Rancher
Chairman Smith convened the hearing on Senate Bill (S.B.) 436.
SENATE BILL (S.B.) 436:Increases required frequency of visits to traps, snares or other devices not intended to cause immediate death to mammals.
Jan Rogers, President, Alliance for Animals, introduced herself to members of the committee. She also displayed two traps, one of which still had an animal's foot trapped in its jaws.
Ms. Rogers said Ira Hansen, Member, Board of Directors, Nevada Alliance for Responsible Animal Use, had demonstrated how to set and activate a trap at a similar hearing during the 1991 legislative session. She pointed out it is easy to tamper with a trap to make it less damaging and challenged Mr. Hansen to make a comparable demonstration utilizing one of her traps.
Ms. Rogers said she had obtained Chairman Smith's permission to show a brief video depicting actual trap line activities which showed animals who were caught in various types of traps and snares. At the conclusion of the video, Ms. Rogers stated she feels leg-hold traps are cruel and wishes the use of traps could be banned altogether. However, she said it is more practical to attempt to pass legislation requiring a trapper to check his trap line every 24 hours. Ms. Rogers insisted that passage of S.B. 436 would ensure that domestic and wild "nontarget" animals have a better chance of survival if inadvertently caught in a trap.
Ms. Rogers drew attention to the fact that a leg-hold trap will catch anything which activates it. She intimated that it is not unusual for these types of traps to mutilate an animal and reduce its rate of survival. She stressed the importance of requiring trappers to check their traps more often and concluded her comments by encouraging members of the committee to enact S.B. 436.
Senator Neal stated he has the impression that placement of a 24-hour check requirement on traps and/or snares would have the effect of eliminating trapping. He continued by saying animals are very sensitive to human scent and would, most likely, avoid coming near a recently set or checked trap. Ms. Rogers responded by pointing out trappers utilize scents and/or lures as a means of attracting animals into traps. She said the 24-hour trap check requirement is not unreasonable and is an honest attempt to make trapping animals as humane as possible. She continued by explaining that, under the 24-hour check requirement, non-target animals could be released from traps before more severe damage was inflicted.
Ms. Rogers asserted the current 96-hour check requirement is not strictly adhered to and some traps are left unchecked for longer periods of time than what is allowable. She said her position on the issue of trapping is, "If trapping animals cannot be done humanely, it should not be done at all."
Senator Neal asked Ms. Rogers to provide him with more specific information on the type of lures utilized by trappers. Ms. Rogers explained lures can be scents or other animals which would attract the target animal to the trap or snare.
Mark McGuire, Executive Director, Nevada Humane Society, introduced himself to members of the committee. Mr. McGuire's testimony is contained in Exhibit C.
Senator Rhoads asked Mr. McGuire if he is aware of the existence of an injunction against the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) animal damage control for trapping. Mr. McGuire said he is aware that an injunction is in place, but there is a question as to whether it would last very long.
Senator Rhoads insisted rural Nevada really has a predator problem and wished the individuals, who supported passage of S.B. 436, could have been at his ranch this past winter. He continued by saying he may have had the largest loss of calves he has ever experienced. He said there were several instances of cows who had laid down in the snow to deliver a calf with coyotes actually eating the calf as it was being born.
Grace G. Morrell, Representing Self, introduced herself to members of the committee. Ms. Morrell's testimony is contained in Exhibit D.
Joel Blakeslee, President, Nevada Trappers Association, Inc., introduced himself to members of the committee. He mentioned the fact that he wanted to begin his testimony by making a short rebuttal to portions of testimony previously provided to the committee.
With regard to the video shown by Ms. Rogers, Mr. Blakeslee pointed out eight separate incidents (displaying animals caught in traps or snares), which were definitely "staged." He justified this statement by citing specific instances when the use of the trap or snare did not match factual circumstances and uses. He remarked he does not take offense when an individual opposed his activities as a trapper, however, it is only fair to be equitable about the criticism. Mr. Blakeslee stated he was encouraged that S.B. 436 was creating a dialogue, but insisted that the information being presented should be accurate.
Senator Rhoads asked if any of the national trapping organizations had ever considered putting together their own video showing coyotes killing newborn lambs and calves. Mr. Blakeslee said this subject has been discussed, however, the difficulty would be in obtaining live footage. Senator Rhoads invited members of the Nevada Trappers Association, Inc. to come to his ranch next winter. He continued by saying he could show them some examples of the problems he is having with predators in the area. Mr. Blakeslee insisted that he wanted to avoid filming something that had been staged. Additionally, he insisted that if he was aware that a coyote intended to eat a newborn lamb or calf, he would have to stop it from happening.
Senator Neal pointed out Ms. Morrell had stated that the Hudson Bay Company had stopped selling furs after being in the business for 320 years. He asked Mr. Blakeslee to describe the current fur market. Mr. Blakeslee replied by pointing out some of the major fur suppliers in Europe have gone out of business due to the continuous threats they receive from "animal rights terrorists." He continued by saying this is not the exclusive reason the Hudson Bay Company went out of business, but it was a contributing cause.
With relationship to the market for furs trapped in the State of Nevada, Mr. Blakeslee said coyote fur is a "trim" fur. He mentioned this is not a high dollar item, but the market is on the upswing. He continued by saying bobcat fur is a luxury fur, while beaver and muskrat fur has a variety of uses.
Senator Neal asked what the spoilage rate was on a fur before it could no longer be used. Mr. Blakeslee said the time frame depended entirely upon the time of the year. With the exception of killer traps and aquatic situations, he stressed the fact that animals do not die in traps. Senator Neal said that, for the sake of conversation, perhaps an animal had died while in a trap. He asked what would be the spoilage rate of the fur. Mr. Blakeslee said that, between the months of October to December, the fur would be damaged within 24 hours or less. In the months of December through February, the fur might last from a week to a month (due to the "deep-freeze" effect).
Senator Titus asked how the 24-hour trap check requirement compared to the requirements enforced by other states. Mr. Blakeslee admitted that he does not have a lot of information on every state, but knows of four states that do not have a set time limit and have a time frame recommendation. Senator Titus asked what was the recommendation adopted by these four states. Mr. Blakeslee responded by saying that Alaska recommended that traps be checked once a week. He pointed out Gene Gerdes, Vice President, Nevada Trappers Association, Inc., is more knowledgeable on this subject.
Mr. Blakeslee cautioned members of the committee about making trap check requirement comparisons with other states. He stressed each state is faced with a different set of problems, and the habitats, as well as the types of animals, would vary a great deal. He continued by saying the State of Nevada had a lot of public land so it is not unusual for trappers to travel long distances in order to check their trap lines.
Senator Titus mentioned the proposed 24-hour requirement was not being well received. She asked Mr. Blakeslee if he would be agreeable to a compromise of setting a 48-hour trap check requirement. Mr. Blakeslee remarked that to compromise would, in effect, be saying that the time could be changed up or down. He stressed that he is not willing to compromise at this point in time.
Mr. Blakeslee then proceeded to read portions of his testimony from Exhibit E.
Senator Neal asked if traps and snares are marked as a means of identifying the trapper. Mr. Blakeslee said Nevada law requires that each trap be marked with a tag stamped with an "NV" prefix, followed by a 4-digit number, which is unique to each trapper. Senator Neal asked if this tag would enable a game warden to identify the trapper. Mr. Blakeslee replied this is correct, with exception to a situation where a trap had been stolen or improperly set by another person.
Senator James wondered why trappers utilized traps or snares that do not kill the animal. He admitted that he has problems with leaving an animal in a trap for a long period of time. Mr. Blakeslee responded by saying certain traps are used due to the fact that some animals cannot be caught by using other methods. He said most animals will not walk into unconcealed traps.
Mr. Blakeslee pointed out there is a misconception that most traps smash an animal's foot or leg. He stressed that another common fallacy is the fact that an animal will chew their leg off in an attempt to escape a trap. He remarked he has been trapping for a long period of time and has caught hundreds of animals. In all of this time, he has never seen an animal chew its leg off above the jaws of a trap.
Senator James asked what would be condition of an animal that had been caught in a leg-hold trap. Mr. Blakeslee replied that a properly-sized, gapped and swivelled trap should only break the skin. He said 1 in 100 animals may experience bone breakage. As far as the issue of a "humane" death was concerned, Mr. Blakeslee asked what kind of alternative would a wild coyote have for death. He said a coyote that was too old to catch a rabbit would die a lingering death from starvation or may freeze to death. He said cannibalism was a problem under circumstances of over-population and parasites can attack a wild animal at any time. He concluded his comments by saying, "To anthropomorphise this thing is something you should not do."
Senator James said he really feels the issue at hand is to attempt to trap an animal in the most humane fashion possible. He stressed that he did not want to eliminate the trade of trapping wild animals, however, he is a proponent of using less restrictive or less painful methods of trapping animals. Senator James emphasized that mankind has no control over parasites and nature, however, humans can control how they interact with wild animals. He asked Mr. Blakeslee if trappers were utilizing the most humane method of trapping animals. Mr. Blakeslee responded by saying trappers used the absolute best method possible.
Senator James asked Mr. Blakeslee if he felt a 24-hour trap check limit was unreasonable. Mr. Blakeslee said the current arrangement (96 hours or 4 days) was a good arrangement. However, muskrat traps are normally checked every day and beaver traps every other day. He stressed the fact that deep winter predator trappers need the 96-hour time limit.
Senator James asked if the 96-hour trap check requirement was enforced. Mr. Blakeslee read statistics from a Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) release, indicating that one violation notice of the 96-hour time limit had been issued in 1985, none in 1986, none in 1987, one violation in 1988, none in 1989, five in 1990 and three in 1991. He said these figures clearly indicated that trap visitation violations do not represent any serious problem.
Senator Neal asked what types of wild animals are trapped in the State of Nevada. He said he had heard references made to coyote, muskrat and bobcat. He asked if mountain lions are fair game in Nevada. Mr. Blakeslee responded by saying it is illegal to trap mountain lions in Nevada. He remarked the gray fox, kit fox, badger, raccoons and mink are trapped in Nevada.
Senator Neal remembered that use of the saw-tooth trap in Nevada had been illegalized. Mr. Blakeslee replied this is correct. Senator Neal asked if it was less harmful for an animal caught in a trap to be checked within 24 hours or in 96 hours. Mr. Blakeslee said the condition of the animal depended entirely on how long it had been in the trap. He said the 96-hour trap check requirement did not mean that the animal had been in the trap the entire 96 hours. He stressed that it was highly unlikely that a coyote would come near a trap within a 2-day period after it had been set. Mr. Blakeslee emphasized that a 96-hour trap check requirement did not mean the trapper had to wait that long or that an animal would be in the trap for that length of time.
Mr. Blakeslee concluded his testimony by saying the legislature has the power to impact the future of large group of people. He appealed to members of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources to remove S.B. 436 from further consideration.
Gene Gerdes, Vice President, Nevada Trappers Association, Inc., introduced himself to members of the committee and presented his testimony, which is contained in Exhibit F.
Chairman Smith asked Mr. Gerdes how many members of the Nevada Trappers Association made their living from trapping. Mr. Gerdes said he did not have an exact figure on the number of association members whose sole source of income was derived from trapping. He continued by saying a majority of the members trapped as a means of supplementing their current income. Mr. Gerdes also stressed the fact that trapping is a seasonal activity for most of its members.
Senator Hickey asked how many traps would Mr. Gerdes set at one time. When trapping muskrat, Mr. Gerdes said he utilized 120 traps at one time. Senator Hickey asked in how large of an area would the 120 traps be distributed. Mr. Gerdes responded by saying he sets his traps in a marsh and uses a boat to check his trap lines. Senator Hickey asked how often would Mr. Gerdes check his muskrat traps. Mr. Gerdes said he checked his traps no less than once a day, and sometimes as often as twice a day. Senator Hickey surmised that the frequency of checking traps depended entirely upon the animal being targeted.
Senator Hickey asked Mr. Gerdes where he had obtained the trap check day figures he had quoted in his testimony. Mr. Gerdes replied by saying most of the trap check day figures had been provided by the NDOW. However, the bobcat figures he had used had been derived from his own experiences in the State of California.
Senator Hickey asked if a fair assessment of all trappers would be that they selected a certain wild animal and specialized in the trapping of this animal. Mr. Gerdes responded by saying most muskrat trappers will wait until the ice on a marsh thawed after the cold winter months before trapping again. However, he said there are a few trappers that will continue to trap in the winter on top of the ice. Mr. Gerdes commented that the bobcat season runs from mid-December to mid-February. However, the length of the season can be dramatically affected by the NDOW's determination of the target animal's population status.
Senator Neal asked what type of system would Mr. Gerdes use when checking all 120 of his muskrat traps. Mr. Gerdes said he kept a log of the trap locations and what time of day they were most recently checked. He also commented that he would use brightly colored surveyor's tape to mark the locations of the traps.
Terry R. Crawforth, Deputy Director, Nevada Department of Wildlife, introduced himself to members of the committee. He said the NDOW is opposed to passage of S.B. 436 and feels the current 96-hour trap check requirement is adequate.
Senator Neal asked Mr. Crawforth if any of the NDOW game wardens had found wild animals lingering in traps for an inordinate amount of time. Mr. Crawforth pointed out existing trapping regulations had been amended into law during the late 1970s. At that time, the prices being paid for furs was quite high and a lot of trappers were actively setting trap lines. He remarked the NDOW initiated an increased law enforcement effort at that time, resulting in a considerable increase in violations. However, Mr. Crawforth pointed out the price now being paid for furs has dropped considerably, with a corresponding drop in the number of trappers. He mentioned most of the trappers still in the business are "professional trappers" who know what they are doing and exactly what regulations must be followed. This has lead to a drop in the number of violations being issued.
Senator Neal asked Mr. Crawforth what type of citations would be issued by the NDOW game wardens. Mr. Crawforth responded by saying some trappers have been in violation of not using spacers in their traps. He continued by saying these spacers keep the jaws of the trap from closing completely, which would protect the foot of the target animal, as well as preventing eagles of hawks from becoming ensnared in the trap. Mr. Crawforth said approximately six citations had been issued in the past few years for trappers who failed to visit a trap in the allotted time. He pointed out that some of these violations had been dismissed by the judge reviewing the case. The reasons for doing so were related to vehicles that had broken down, illnesses, etc. Mr. Crawforth said a few citations had also been issued to trappers who were setting traps in the off-season months.
Senator Neal asked if NDOW game wardens ever issued citations to trappers who had failed to check a trap for such a long period of time that an animal was beginning to decay. Mr. Crawforth said game wardens had issued citations to trappers who had failed to check their traps within the 96-hour trap check requirement. However, he does not recall issuing a citation to any trapper who had allowed an animal to decay while caught in a trap.
Senator Hickey asked what kind of method did the NDOW wardens utilize to keep track of when trap lines were set. Mr. Crawforth responded by saying many of the game wardens are familiar with who is trapping in what location, and when the traps were checked. He said the NDOW also uses airplanes in inclement weather, during which time it is relatively easy to track the trapper's activities. Mr. Crawforth pointed out that if a game warden discovers a problem of some sort, a log is maintained to keep track of the date and time of day.
Senator Hickey said he would feel much more comfortable if the current trap check times were being enforced. He understood that different types of traps for various animals would require that the trapper check them at different times. Mr. Crawforth said he feels confident that trappers would testify to the fact that the NDOW does not treat trap check requirements lightly. He said it was not unusual for game wardens to spend as much a one-third of their time on trapping enforcement.
Senator Rhoads said, in his 26 years of ranching at his present location, he has never seen a decayed animal in a trap. He pointed out that he is aware of exactly who is trapping around his ranch and has, on occasion, informed the trapper when a live coyote is in a trap.
Senator James asked Mr. Crawforth if the NDOW was concerned about the increased costs of enforcing the 24-hour trap check requirement. Mr. Crawforth said the 24-hour limit was not one of the NDOW's concerns. Senator James asked if the 24-hour limit would be more difficult to enforce. Mr. Crawforth replied by saying the 24-hour limit might be easier to enforce. Senator James wondered what the basis was for the NDOW's opposition to S.B. 436. Mr. Crawforth answered by saying the 24-hour trap visitation requirement would have the effect of eliminating the trapping trade, because it would be too difficult to check a trap line every 24 hours.
Mr. Crawforth said an average trapper might set up one or two traps each in different locations and check the lines on alternating days. If the trap check requirement is changed to every 24 hours, the trappers will have so few traps set out that it really would not be worth the trouble. Senator James wondered if the 48-hour time limit would be just as difficult to work around. Mr. Crawforth said this very subject of time limit options had been discussed in the late 1970s. At that time, every possible combination of hours had been considered.
Senator James asked what laws other states had passed on trap check time limits. Mr. Crawforth said the State of California has a 24-hour trap check requirement, while most of the inter-mountain states have longer time limits. Senator James asked Mr. Crawforth to be more specific. Mr. Crawforth apologized and said he really was not aware of exactly what time limits had been adopted into law in other states.
Ira Hansen, Member, Board of Directors, Nevada Alliance for Responsible Animal Use, introduced himself to members of the committee. He pointed out a variety of other organizations he is associated with: 1) Chairman, Nevada Conservation Committee; 2) founding member of the Coalition of Nevada's Wildlife; and 3) Member, Nevada Trapper's Association. Mr. Hansen also noted that he had campaigned for an assembly seat during the recent interim and supplemented his income by trapping wild animals.
To demonstrate the ridiculousness of animal rights activists' claims that steel traps are cruel, Mr. Hansen placed his hand in three traps and activated each one so that the jaws pinched the fingers on his left hand. One of the traps was his personal property and the remaining two traps had been borrowed from Ms. Rogers. Mr. Hansen pointed out the tension on his trap had been set to release only when the proper weight was placed between its jaws. This was done with the intent of capturing a coyote or bobcat, not a rabbit or an eagle.
While the trap was pinched on his left hand, Mr. Hansen explained he felt pressure on his fingers but had no broken bones. He held up his left hand and demonstrated to members of the committee that the skin was not even broken. He admitted the trap hurt a little bit when it first closed on his hand and said his fingers should begin to feel numb within 5 minutes. Mr. Hansen drew attention to the fact that animals are capable of hurting themselves in traps, because they soon lose the ability to feel the pain due to the numbness that sets in. He continued by saying a wild animal will struggle to free themselves from the trap. If the jaws of the trap are not set properly and are too loose, a wild animal could cause more damage to its leg by fighting and pulling on the jaws. In such a case, it would not be unusual to find lacerations and cuts on the animal's leg. However, he stressed the fact that the animal would not be feeling pain, because of the numbing effect of the trap's jaws.
Mr. Hansen pointed out Senator Neal had introduced a bill in 1981, which was quite similar to S.B. 436, but had a 72-hour trap check requirement. He said this previous bill was a good piece of legislation, which had been introduced in the interest of bringing Nevada's trapping laws up-to-date. He quoted statistics from the 1980s indicating that $15 million in furs had been harvested by an average of 1,200 trappers per year, who supplemented their incomes by trapping.
Mr. Hansen stressed the ability to trap is very important to him, because he has six children to support. He emphasized that trapping is a matter of economics. He warned members of the committee that they should not be taken in by looking at S.B. 436 as merely an attempt to change the time limit. He insisted this bill was just another anti-trapping bill.
Mr. Hansen said the 96-hour trap check time limit is absolutely necessary when trapping a bobcat. Without the 4 day allowance, it would be impossible to "make a reasonable harvest."
Chairman Smith interrupted Mr. Hansen's testimony by informing those in attendance that S.B. 463 would be rescheduled to the following day's hearing. He apologized and explained he had not anticipated that S.B. 436 would generate so much interest and the remaining number of people interested in testifying before the Senate Committee on Natural Resources was quite long.
Mr. Hansen continued his testimony by saying bobcats occupy the most rugged habitat in the state and are trapped during the most difficult times of the year.
Mr. Hansen said even if S.B. 436 is enacted, there would not be a reduction in the number of wild animal deaths in the State of Nevada. This last winter alone, he emphasized that at least 50,000 deer starved to death. He said it is a fact of nature that a surplus of animals succumb for one reason or another. Mr. Hansen asserted that trappers have been allowed to harvest a portion of this surplus and put it to productive use.
Mr. Hansen remarked that he objected to exempting government trappers from the bill. He said he did not object to government trapping, because they provided a important service to the livestock industry. However, free-market trappers pay taxes and government trappers consume taxes. Mr. Hansen stressed that free-market trappers are more efficient, because they are governed by their wallets.
Mr. Hansen asserted that another problem with reducing the trap check requirement would be the fact that a majority of trappers would have to concentrate their activities closer to the urban areas of the state. He remarked certain populations of fur bearers would be eliminated, while fur bearers in the rural areas of the state would remain untouched.
Mr. Hansen said trappers in the Great Basin cover more square miles than those in any other area of the continental United States, with the exception of the State of Alaska. He stressed that lowering the time limit was not a practical solution and emphasized the current 96-hour trap check requirement is a perfect time frame for the Great Basin trapper.
Dick Biggs, Representative, Ormsby Sportsmens Association, introduced himself to members of the committee. He pointed out members of the association are opposed to S.B. 436 based upon the fact it would have the effect of eliminating trapping altogether.
Mr. Biggs said if trapping is eliminated, some people will resort to the use of poisons to rid themselves of predatory wild animals. He acknowledged that some people consider traps to be inhumane and cruel, but these very same people are obviously not aware of how brutal death by poisoning can be.
Eric Rasmussen, Owner, Spanish Springs Game Birds and Employee, Big Canyon Ranch, introduced himself to members of the committee. In response to an earlier statement by a humane society representative, Mr. Rasmussen stressed that it would be very dangerous to reduce the trap check requirement to 24 hours. He emphasized that if trappers are forced to set their trap lines near residential areas, pets (not predators) would be stepping into these traps.
Mr. Rasmussen concluded his testimony by emphasizing that passage of S.B. 436 would prevent him from controlling the coyote population around his game farm and put him out of business.
Mark Marin, Member, Nevada Trappers Association, Inc., introduced himself to members of the committee. He pointed out an inequity of the bill which allowed the Nevada Department of Agriculture and the USDA to continue to trap animals at will. If S.B. 436 is passed, he emphasized the fact that the general public will have to pay government trappers to perform a service provided by free-market trappers at no cost.
Elsie Dupree, Northern Nevada Vice President, Nevada Wildlife Federation, Inc., introduced herself to members of the committee. Ms. Dupree's testimony is contained in Exhibit G.
DeLoyd Satterthwaite, Rancher, Tuscarora, Nevada, introduced himself to members of the committee. He drew attention to the fact that he raises both sheep and cattle on his ranch, but was going to address the predatory problems he is having with his sheep herds.
Mr. Satterthwaite said the past few years were very dry and this past winter was a rough one. He said these circumstances have brought the coyotes down from the high country and made them very hungry and extremely bold. When his ewes began to lamb right around April 15 this year, he insisted it was like a "blood bath." He continued by saying that when his 1,200 ewes had been gathered, 300 ewes did not have lambs.
Mr. Satterthwaite commented that other people had asked him if raising livestock was really worth the trouble. He said that, long ago, he had decided that the livestock business was worth the trouble and, as with any endeavor, some problems had to be overcome. Mr. Satterthwaite stressed that products offered in grocery stores are provided by people who raise, grow or trap them.
Chairman Smith interrupted Mr. Satterthwaite by pointing out that he felt the committee was ready to entertain a motion on S.B. 436.
SENATOR RHOADS MOVED TO INDEFINITELY POSTPONE S.B. 436.
SENATOR JAMES SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATORS TITUS AND ADLER WERE ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.)
Two additional handouts were provided to Rayanne Francis, Committee Secretary, by individuals who are interested in having them preserved as part of the record. William A. Suddock, Jr. provided a copy of his testimony (Exhibit H), and David A. Stowater also provided a copy of his testimony (Exhibit I).
* * * * *
Chairman Smith stated the next order of business before the committee was consideration of a bill draft request (BDR).
BILL DRAFT REQUEST 48-1566: Revise procedures for obtaining water rights to be used for livestock.
Chairman Smith called for action on BDR 48-1566.
SENATOR RHOADS MOVED FOR COMMITTEE INTRODUCTION OF BDR 48-1566.
SENATOR HICKEY SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATORS TITUS AND ADLER WERE ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.)
* * * * *
Chairman Smith called for action on BDR 50-1846.
BILL DRAFT REQUEST 50-1846: Provide immunity from liability for certain damages caused by herding or grazing livestock.
SENATOR NEAL MOVED FOR COMMITTEE INTRODUCTION OF BDR 50-1846.
SENATOR HICKEY SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATORS TITUS AND ADLER WERE ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.)
* * * * *
There being no further business before the Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Chairman Smith adjourned the hearing at 10:40 a.m.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
Rayanne J. Francis,
Committee Secretary
APPROVED BY:
Senator R. Hal Smith, Chairman
DATE:
??
Senate Committee on Natural Resources
June 1, 1993
Page 1