Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes wild boar hunting and prohibits public feeding of feral pigs (wild boar) in Ohio.

Highlights:

• Prohibits anyone from bringing swine that was fed or treated with garbage in state (Sec. 942.02). 

• Authorizes the director of agriculture to investigate violations upon receipt of complaint (Sec. 942.03). 

• Specifies the director of agriculture may enter any area where swine are kept when investigating violations of this section (Sec. 942.03B).

• Specifies if the director is denied access to the premises they can apply for a search warrant to receive access to the area (Sec. 942.03B).

• Specifies that a search warrant is granted when probable cause is suspected (Sec. 942.03B).

• Specifies that the director shall observe biosecurity measures and prevent the spread of disease impacting livestock (Sec. 942.03C); 

• Authorizes the director of agriculture to assess a civil penalty for any persons violating this section (Sec.942.04). 

• Requires the director to afford individuals the opportunity for an adjudication hearing (Sec.942.04A).

• Specifies waiving or after the adjudication hearing the director may order compliance with this section and assess the civil penalty (Sec.942.04B).

• Specifies director shall assess this civil penalty not more than $500 for a first penalty and following penalties not more than $1,000 (Sec.942.04C).

• Requires money collected from civil penalties be credited to the animal and consumer protection fund (Sec.942.04C); 

• Amends definition of  “Wild Quadruped” to include wild boar and feral swine (Sec. HHH). 

• Defines “Wild Boar” or “Feral Swine” as members of the Suidae family including wild and feral pigs and hogs (Sec. HHH).

• Specifies more members of the Suidae family including old world swine, razorbacks, European wild boar, Russian wild boar, and any hybrids  (Sec. HHH).

• Specifies members of the Tayassuidae family including collared peccary and javelina and any hybrids  (Sec. HHH).

• Prohibits any persons to release for hunting wild boar or feral swine in any wild animal hunting preserve (Sec. 1533.731). 

• Prohibits the following (Sec. 1533. 75A):

• Any persons from importing, transporting, or possessing live wild boar or feral swine;

• Releasing wild boar or feral swine into the wild or new location; 

• The hunting, trapping, or killing of wild boar or feral swine; 

• Profit of any kind from the releasing, hunting, trapping or killing of wild boar or feral swine; and

• Failure to notify division of wildlife.

• Prohibits the purposeful feeding of wild boar or feral swine (Sec. 1533. 75B). 

• Requires any person who has reason to believe a wild boar or feral swine is present must contact the division of wildlife within twenty four hours of believing wild boar or feral swine are present (Sec. 1533. 751A). 

• Authorizes any persons who encounter a wild boar or feral swine on their property to eradicate the animal without a hunting license under the following conditions; (Sec. 1533. 751B):

• They notify the division of wildlife no later than twenty four hours after eradication of wild boar or feral swine;

• They follow the instructions provided by the division regarding handling, preservation for testing and disposal of wild boar or feral swine.

• Specifies that violations of this section result in misdemeanor of the first degree (Sec. 1533. 99H). 

• Specifies that the importing or releasing of wild boar or feral swine results in a felony of the fifth degree (Sec. 1533. 99H).

• Specifies convicted persons to pay for investigation, control, and eradication of wild boar or feral swine resulting from the violation (Sec. 1533. 99H).

• Specifies money paid for this violation goes to the wildlife fund (Sec. 1533. 99H).

Full Bill Text