State Rep. Don Jones | The Ohio House of Representatives
State Rep. Don Jones | The Ohio House of Representatives
The Ohio House of Representatives has agreed to Senate amendments on House Bill 503, a legislative measure aimed at mitigating the damage caused by feral swine in the state. The bill was introduced by State Representatives Don Jones and Bob Peterson.
House Bill 503 contains several key provisions designed to address the issue. It permits landowners to kill feral hogs without needing a license, provided they notify the Ohio Department of Natural Resources within 24 hours. Additionally, it removes an existing license requirement for feeding swine garbage or treated garbage and bans the importation of swine that have been fed garbage into Ohio. The bill also proposes increased penalties for activities such as importing, transporting, or possessing feral swine and updates definitions under the Agricultural Commodity Handlers Law.
"This legislation addresses Ohio’s growing feral swine infestation by empowering our landowners," stated Representative Jones.
Representative Peterson highlighted the broader impact of feral swine: "Feral swine are a nuisance to landowners around the nation and are a threat to Ohio’s livestock industry."
With approval from both legislative chambers, House Bill 503 now awaits action from the Governor.
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