20.1-16 Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact - North Dakota Statutes

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CHAPTER 20.1-16INTERSTATE WILDLIFE VIOLATOR COMPACT20.1-16-01.Interstate wildlife violator compact.The interstate wildlife violatorcompact is entered with all states legally joining the compact, in the form substantially as follows:ARTICLE 1. FINDINGS, DECLARATION OF POLICY, AND PURPOSE1.The participating states find that the following provisions apply:a.Wildlife resources are managed in trust by the respective states for the benefit
of all residents and visitors.b.The protection of the wildlife resources of a state is materially affected by the
degree of compliance with state statutes, laws, ordinances, regulations, and
administrative rules relating to the management of such resources.c.Thepreservation,protection,management,and restoration of wildlifecontributes immeasurably to the aesthetic, recreational, and economic aspects
of such natural resources.d.Wildlife resources are valuable without regard to political boundaries; therefore,
every person should be required to comply with wildlife preservation, protection,
management and restoration laws, ordinances, regulations, and administrative
rules of the participating states as a condition precedent to the continuance or
issuance of any license to hunt, fish, trap, or possess wildlife.e.Violation of wildlife laws interferes with the management of wildlife resources
and may endanger the safety of persons and property.f.The mobility of many wildlife law violators necessitates the maintenance of
channels of communication among the various states.g.In most instances, a person who is cited for a wildlife violation in a state other
than that person's own state:(1)Is required to post collateral or a bond to secure appearance for a trial at
a later date;(2)Is taken into custody until the collateral or bond is posted; or(3)Is taken directly to court for an immediate appearance.h.The purpose of the enforcement practices set forth in subdivision g is to ensure
compliance with the terms of a wildlife citation by the cited person who, if
permitted to proceed after receiving the citation, could return to the person's
home state and disregard the person's duty under the terms of the citation.i.In most instances, a person receiving a wildlife citation in that person's home
state is permitted to accept the citation from the officer at the scene of the
violation and immediately proceed after agreeing or being instructed to comply
with the terms of the citation.j.The practices described in subdivision g cause unnecessary inconvenience
and, at times, a hardship for the person who is unable at the time to post
collateral, furnish a bond, stand trial, or pay a fine and is thus compelled to
remain in custody until some alternative arrangement is made.Page No. 1k.The enforcement practices described in subdivision g consume an undue
amount of law enforcement time.2.It is the policy of the participating states to:a.Promote compliance with the statutes, laws, ordinances, regulations, and
administrative rules relating to management of wildlife resources in their
respective states;b.Recognize the suspension of wildlife license privileges of any person whose
license privileges have been suspended by a participating state and may treat
such suspension as if it had occurred in their state;c.Allow a violator, except as provided in subsection 2 of article 3, to accept a
wildlife citation and proceed without delay, whether or not a resident of the state
in which the citation was issued, provided that the violator's home state is party
to this compact;d.Report to the appropriate participating state, as provided in the compact
manual, any conviction recorded against any person whose home state was not
the issuing state;e.Allow the home state to recognize and treat convictions recorded against its
residents, which convictions occurred in a participating state, as though they
occurred in the home state;f.Extend cooperation to its fullest extent among the participating states for
enforcing compliance with the terms of a wildlife citation issued in one
participating state to a resident of another participating state;g.Maximize effective use of law enforcement personnel and information; andh.Assist court systems in the efficient disposition of wildlife violations.3.The purpose of this compact is to:a.Provide a means through which participating states may join in a reciprocal
program to effectuate the policies enumerated in subsection 2 in a uniform and
orderly manner; andb.Provide for the fair and impartial treatment of wildlife violators operating within
participating states in recognition of the violator's right to due process and the
sovereign status of a participating state.ARTICLE 2. DEFINITIONSAs used in this compact and sections 20.1-16-02 through 20.1-16-05, unless the contextrequires otherwise, the following definitions apply:1."Citation" means any summons, complaint, summons and complaint, ticket, penalty
assessment, or other official document that is issued to a person by a wildlife officer
or other peace officer for a wildlife violation and that contains an order requiring the
person to respond.2."Collateral" means any cash or other security deposited to secure an appearance for
trial in connection with the issuance by a wildlife officer or other peace officer of a
citation for a wildlife violation.Page No. 23."Compliance" with respect to a citation means the act of answering a citation through
an appearance in a court or tribunal, or through the payment of fines, costs, and
surcharges, if any.4."Conviction" means a conviction, including any court conviction, for any offense that
is related to the preservation, protection, management, or restoration of wildlife and
that is prohibited by state statute, law, regulation, ordinance, or administrative rule.
The term also includes the forfeiture of any bail, bond, or other security deposited to
secure appearance by a person charged with having committed any such offense,
the payment of a penalty assessment, a plea of nolo contendere, and the imposition
of a deferred or suspended sentence by the court.5."Court" means a court of law, including magistrate's court and the justice of the
peace court.6."Home state" means the state of primary residence of a person.7."Issuing state" means the participating state which issues a wildlife citation to the
violator.8."License" means any license, permit, or other public document that conveys to the
person to whom it was issued the privilege of pursuing, possessing, or taking any
wildlife regulated by statute, law, regulation, ordinance, or administrative rule of a
participating state.9."Licensing authority" means the department or division within each participating
state that is authorized by law to issue or approve licenses or permits to hunt, fish,
trap, or possess wildlife.10."Participating state" means any state that enacts legislation to become a member of
this wildlife compact.11."Personal recognizance" means an agreement by a person made at the time of
issuance of the wildlife citation that such person will comply with the terms of the
citation.12."State" means any state, territory, or possession of the United States, the District of
Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the provinces of Canada, and other
countries.13."Suspension" means any revocation, denial, or withdrawal of any or all license
privileges, including the privilege to apply for, purchase, or exercise the benefits
conferred by any license.14."Terms of the citation" means those conditions and options expressly stated in the
citation.15."Wildlife" means all species of animals including mammals, birds, fish, reptiles,
amphibians, mollusks, and crustaceans, which are defined as "wildlife" and are
protected or otherwise regulated by statute, law, regulation, ordinance, or
administrative rule in a participating state.Species included in the definition of"wildlife" for purposes of this compact are based on state or local law.16."Wildlife law" means any statute, law, regulation, ordinance, or administrative rule
developed and enacted for the management of wildlife resources and the uses
thereof.17."Wildlife officer" means any individual authorized by a participating state to issue a
citation for a wildlife violation.Page No. 318."Wildlife violation" means any cited violation of a statute, law, regulation, ordinance,
or administrative rule developed and enacted for the management of wildlife
resources and the uses thereof.ARTICLE 3. PROCEDURES FOR ISSUING STATE1.When issuing a citation for a wildlife violation, a wildlife officer shall issue a citation
to any person whose primary residence is in a participating state in the same
manner as though the person were a resident of the issuing state and may not
require such person to post collateral to secure appearance, subject to the
exceptions noted in subsection 2, if the officer receives the recognizance of such
person that the person will comply with the terms of the citation.2.Personal recognizance is acceptable:a.If not prohibited by state or local law or the compact manual; andb.If the violator provides adequate proof of identification to the wildlife officer.3.Upon conviction or failure of a person to comply with the terms of a wildlife citation,
the appropriate official shall report the conviction or failure to comply to the licensing
authority of the participating state in which the wildlife citation was issued.Thereport must be made in accordance with procedures specified by the issuing state
and must contain information as specified in the compact manual as minimum
requirements for effective processing by the home state.4.Upon receipt of the report of conviction or noncompliance pursuant to subsection 3,
the licensing authority of the issuing state shall transmit to the licensing authority of
the home state of the violator the information in form and content as prescribed in
the compact manual.ARTICLE 4. PROCEDURE FOR HOME STATE1.Upon receipt of a report from the licensing authority of the issuing state reporting the
failure of a violator to comply with the terms of a citation, the licensing authority of
the home state shall notify the violator and may initiate a suspension action in
accordance with the home state's suspension procedures and may suspend the
violator's license privileges until satisfactory evidence of compliance with the terms
of the wildlife citation has been furnished by the issuing state to the home state
licensing authority. Due process safeguards will be accorded.2.Upon receipt of a report of conviction from the licensing authority of the issuing state,
the licensing authority of the home state may enter such conviction in its records and
may treat such conviction as though it occurred in the home state for the purposes of
the suspension of license privileges if the violation resulting in a suspension could
have been the basis for suspension of license privileges in the home state.3.The licensing authority of the home state shall maintain a record of actions taken
and shall make reports to issuing states as provided in the compact manual.ARTICLE 5. RECIPROCAL RECOGNITION OF SUSPENSION1.All participating states may recognize the suspension of license privileges of any
person by any participating state as though the violation resulting in the suspension
had occurred in their state and could have been the basis for suspension of license
privileges in their state.2.Each participating state shall communicate suspension information to other
participating states in form and content as contained in the compact manual.ARTICLE 6. APPLICABILITY OF OTHER LAWSPage No. 4Except as expressly required by this compact, nothing herein may be construed to affectthe right of any participating state to apply any of its laws relating to license privileges to any
person or circumstance or to invalidate or prevent any agreement or other cooperative
arrangement between a participating state and a nonparticipating state concerning wildlife law
enforcement.ARTICLE 7. COMPACT ADMINISTRATOR - PROCEDURES1.For the purposes of administering this compact and to serve as a governing body for
the resolution of all matters relating to the operation of this compact, a board of
compact administrators is established.The board is composed of onerepresentative from each of the participating states to be known as the compact
administrator. The compact administrator must be appointed by the head of the
licensing authority of each participating state and serves and is subject to removal in
accordance with the laws of the state the compact administrator represents.Acompact administrator may provide for the discharge of duties and the performance
of functions as a board member by an alternate. An alternate is not entitled to serve
unless written notification of the identity of the alternate has been given to the board.2.Each member of the board of compact administrators is entitled to one vote. No
action of the board is binding unless taken at a meeting at which a majority of the
total number of the board's votes are cast in favor thereof. Action by the board may
be only at a meeting at which a majority of the participating states is represented.3.The board shall elect annually from its membership a presiding officer and a vice
presiding officer.4.The board shall adopt bylaws not inconsistent with the provisions of this compact or
the laws of a participating state for the conduct of its business and may amend and
rescind its bylaws.5.The board may accept for any of its purposes and functions under this compact any
and all donations and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials, and
services, conditional or otherwise, from any state, the United States, or any
governmental agency, and receive, utilize, and dispose of the same.6.The board may contract with, or accept services or personnel from, any
governmental or intergovernmental agency, individual, firm, or corporation, or any
private nonprofit organization or institution.7.The board shall formulate all necessary procedures and develop uniform forms and
documents for administering the provisions of this compact.All procedures andforms adopted pursuant to board action must be contained in a compact manual.ARTICLE 8. ENTRY INTO COMPACT AND WITHDRAWAL1.This compact becomes effective at such time as it is adopted in a substantially
similar form by two or more states.2.a.Entry into the compact must be made by resolution of ratification executed by
the authorized officials of the applying state and submitted to the presiding
officer of the board.b.The resolution must substantially be in the form and content as provided in the
compact manual and must include the following:(1)A citation of the authority from which the state is empowered to become
a party to this compact;(2)An agreement of compliance with the terms and provisions of this
compact; andPage No. 5(3)An agreement that compact entry is with all states participating in the
compact and with all additional states legally becoming a party to the
compact.c.The effective date of entry must be specified by the applying state but may not
be less than sixty days after notice has been given:(1)By the presiding officer of the board of the compact administrators; or(2)By the secretariat of the board to each participating state that the
resolution from the applying state has been received.3.A participating state may withdraw from participation in this compact by official
written notice to each participating state, but withdrawal does not become effective
until ninety days after the notice of withdrawal is given. The notice must be directed
to the compact administrator of each member state. Withdrawal of any state does
not affect the validity of this compact as to the remaining participating states.ARTICLE 9. AMENDMENTS TO THE COMPACT1.This compact may be amended from time to time. Amendments must be presented
in resolution form to the presiding officer of the board of the compact administrators
and must be initiated by one or more participating states.2.Adoption of an amendment requires endorsement by all participating states and
becomes effective thirty days after the date of the last endorsement.3.Failure of a participating state to respond to the compact presiding officer within one
hundred twenty days after receipt of a proposed amendment constitutes
endorsement thereof.ARTICLE 10. CONSTRUCTION AND SEVERABILITYThis compact must be liberally construed so as to effectuate the purposes stated herein.The provisions of this compact are severable, and if any phrase, clause, sentence, or provision of
this compact is declared to be contrary to the constitution of any participating state or the United
States, or the applicability thereof to any government, agency, individual, or circumstance is held
invalid, the validity of the remainder of the compact is not affected thereby. If this compact is
held contrary to the constitution of any participating state, the compact remains in full force and
effect as to the remaining states and in full force and effect as to the participating state affected
as to all severable matters.20.1-16-02. Department authorization to effect purposes of compact.1.The department shall enforce the interstate wildlife violator compact and shall do all
things within the department's jurisdiction that are appropriate in order to effectuate
the purposes and the intent of the compact.2.The department, in consultation with the chairman of the legislative management, is
authorized on behalf of the state to enter or withdraw from the interstate wildlife
violator compact pursuant to the terms of article 8 of the compact.3.The department, in consultation with the chairman of the legislative management, is
authorized to adopt amendments to the interstate wildlife violator compact pursuant
to the terms of article 9 of the compact.20.1-16-03.Reciprocal recognition of license suspensions - Suspension ofprivileges for conviction in participating state - Penalty.1.When the department receives notice of the suspension of a person's hunting,
trapping, or fishing privileges by a participating state, the department shall determinePage No. 6whether the violation leading to the suspension could have led to the forfeiture of
privileges under this state's law. If the department determines that the person's
privileges could have been forfeited, the department may suspend the person's
privileges to hunt, trap, or fish in this state for the same period as imposed by the
participating state not to exceed the maximum limits allowed by state law.2.When the department receives notice of a conviction of a state resident from the
licensing authority of the issuing state, the department may treat the conviction as if
it had occurred in this state and shall determine whether the conviction could have
led to the forfeiture of the resident's hunting, trapping, or fishing privileges under
state law. If the department determines that the resident's privileges could have
been forfeited, the department may suspend the resident's privileges to hunt, trap, or
fish in this state for the same period as the issuing state, not to exceed the limit that
could have been imposed under state law.3.Notice of the suspension must be sent to the person, who must surrender any
current North Dakota hunting, trapping, or fishing licenses to the department within
ten days.4.A person whose privileges have been suspended and who hunts, traps, or fishes in
this state, who applies for or purchases any licenses or permits to hunt, trap, or fish
in this state, or who refuses to surrender any current hunting, trapping, or fishing
licenses as required is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.20.1-16-04. Suspension of privileges for failure to comply with citation issued inparticipating state - Penalty.1.The department may suspend the hunting, trapping, or fishing privileges of any
resident of this state upon notification from the licensing authority of an issuing state
that the resident has failed to comply with the terms of a citation issued for a wildlife
violation.The suspension remains in effect until the department receivessatisfactory evidence of compliance from the issuing state.2.Notice of the suspension must be sent to the resident, who shall surrender all
current North Dakota hunting, trapping, or fishing licenses to the department within
ten days.3.A person who hunts, traps, or fishes, who applies for or purchases licenses or
permits, or who refuses to surrender any current hunting, trapping, or fishing
licenses in violation of this section is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.20.1-16-05. Hearing on suspension.1.Upon suspending the hunting, trapping, or fishing privileges of any person under
section 20.1-16-03 or 20.1-16-04, the department shall immediately notify the
person in writing.The person may, within twenty days of the notice, request ahearing before the department on whether the requirements for suspension have
been met.2.Upon request, the department shall set a hearing as early as practicable.3.a.The requesting person may present evidence and arguments at the hearing
contesting whether:(1)A participating state suspended the person's privileges;(2)There was a conviction in the participating state;Page No. 7(3)The person failed to comply with the terms of a citation issued for a
wildlife violation in a participating state; or(4)A conviction in a participating state could have led to the forfeiture of
privileges under North Dakota law.b.Grounds other than those listed in subdivision a may not be used to contest the
department's decision to suspend the person's privileges.4.At the hearing, the department, through its authorized agent, may:a.Administer oaths;b.Issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses; andc.Admit all relevant evidence and documents, including notifications from
participating states.5.Following the hearing, the department, through its authorized agent, may, based on
the evidence, affirm, modify, or rescind the suspension of privileges.Page No. 8Document Outlinechapter 20.1-16 interstate wildlife violator compact