GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2005

SESSION LAW 2005-62

HOUSE BILL 772

AN ACT to prohibit computer-assisted remote hunting.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Article 4 of Chapter 113 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

"§ 113-291.1A.  Computer-assisted remote hunting prohibited.

(a) It is unlawful for a person to engage in computer-assisted remote hunting or provide or operate a facility that allows others to engage in computer-assisted remote hunting if the wild animal or wild bird being hunted or shot is located in this State.

(b) For purposes of this section "computer-assisted remote hunting" means the use of a computer or other device, equipment, or software, to remotely control the aiming and discharging of a firearm or other weapon, that allows a person, not physically present at the location of that firearm or other weapon, to hunt or shoot a wild animal or wild bird."

SECTION 2.  G.S. 113-294 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:

"(q) Any person who violates any provision of G.S. 113-291.1A is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor."

SECTION 3.  G.S. 113-276.3(d) reads as rewritten:

"(d)      Any violation of this Subchapter or of any rule adopted by the Wildlife Resources Commission under the authority of this Subchapter which is subject to a penalty greater than the one provided in G.S. 113-135(a)(1) is a suspension offense. Conviction of any of the following suspension offenses results in a suspension for a period of two years:

(1)       A violation of G.S. 113-294(b).

(2)       A violation of G.S. 113-294(c).

(2a)     A violation of G.S. 113-294(c1).

(3)       A violation of G.S. 113-294(e).

(4)       Repealed by Session Laws 1999-120, s. 2.

(5) A violation of G.S. 113-291.1A.

A conviction of any other suspension offense results in a suspension for a period of one year."

SECTION 4.  This act becomes effective December 1, 2005, and applies to acts occurring on or after that date.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 19^th day of May, 2005.

                                                                    s/ Beverly E. Perdue

                                                                         President of the Senate

                                                                    s/ James B. Black

                                                                         Speaker of the House of Representatives

                                                                    s/ Michael F. Easley

                                                                         Governor

Approved 1:30 p.m. this 26^th day of May, 2005