Committee reviews narrow exemption for hunting and bow-fishing in shallow water

Legislative Council staff highlighted a technical carveout in section 22 that says the bill’s requirements "shall not apply to an individual who is aboard a vessel that is located in water that is not more than 3 feet deep and is actively engaged in hunting or bow fishing and holds a valid permit issued under [state statute]." The draft language, Leonard said, came from the office's hunting and fishing adviser, Michael Grady.

Several senators expressed safety concerns. One said the group targeted by the carveout "should be wearing life vests" and referenced a local drowning during a winter event; other members said the carveout was a narrow compromise intended to cover hunting and bow fishing but not recreational lure or fly fishing. The committee accepted the language for the draft and asked Legislative Council to confirm terminology (license vs. permit) with subject-matter staff.

Leonard said he used the exact language recommended by the agency staffer with hunting/fishing expertise and that he would check the term of art for "valid permit/license" before finalizing the clean draft.