H.R. 3655 — Introduced in House

I 116th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3655 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 9, 2019Mr. Hollingsworth (for himself, Mr. Baird, Mr. DesJarlais, Mr. Crawford, Mr. Comer, Mr. Luetkemeyer, Mr. Guest, Mr. Kelly of Mississippi, Mr. Rogers of Alabama, Mr. Westerman, Mr. Abraham, Mr. Massie, and Mr. Bost) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources A BILL To allow the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, to issue depredation permits for the taking of black vultures to livestock farmers to prevent harm to livestock, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Livestock Protection Act of 2019. 2. Depredation permits for black vultures (a) In general The Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, may issue a depredation permit to a livestock farmer, authorizing the taking of a black vulture otherwise prohibited by Federal law during the calving or lambing season— (1) if— (A) such vulture is found committing depredations on livestock; or (B) the livestock is located in an area where depredation by vultures have been known to occur; and (2) provided that such taking may only occur if it is necessary to protect livestock from depredation. (b) Reporting The Secretary shall require, as a condition of such a permit, that the holder of such permit shall report annually to the appropriate State enforcement agency, as determined by the Secretary, any taking of a black vulture under the permit.