HB 918 — AN ACT relating to fish and wildlife law enforcement.

Summary

Amend KRS 15.519 to make game wardens employed by the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources subject to the same requirements for entering or accessing private open land as other law enforcement officers; amend KRS 150.090 to conform; amend KRS 235.310 to make boating enforcement officers employed by the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources subject to the same requirements for entering or accessing private open land as other law enforcement officers.

Bill Text

• Introduced View text Current pdf

Compared against the Kentucky Revised Statutes as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill expands the definition of 'officer' in the context of entering private open land for surveillance to include game wardens.

• KRS 15.519

  and → and 4. Game warden as defined in KRS 150.010;

  The definition of 'officer' now includes game wardens.

• KRS 15.519

  Subsections (2) and (3) of this section do not apply to a game warden executing duties described in KRS 150.090, who shall have the authority to enter upon, cross over, be upon, or access private open lands for the purpose of conducting compliance checks or surveillance based upon a reasonable suspicion, and shall not be required to notify the landowner, lessee, or lawful occupant.

  The exemption for game wardens from notice requirements when accessing private land has been removed.

• KRS 150.090

  may[shall have the right to] go upon public[the] land and, subject to the requirements of Section 1 of this Act, the private land of any person or persons[ whether private or public] for the purpose of the enforcement of laws or orders of the department relating to game or fish[, while in the normal, lawful and peaceful pursuit of such investigation or work or enforcement, may enter upon, cross over, be upon, and remain upon privately owned lands for such purposes, and shall not be subject to arrest for trespass while so engaged or for such cause thereafter]. → may go upon public land and, subject to the requirements of Section 1 of this Act, the private land of any person or persons for the purpose of the enforcement of laws or orders of the department relating to game or fish.

  Game wardens retain the right to access public and private lands for enforcement without subjecting themselves to trespass charges.

• KRS 235.310

  The provisions of this section shall not apply to license inspections under KRS 150.090(5), but only as to those licenses and items specified in that section. → An officer or employee of the department in the course of enforcing the provisions of this chapter or the administrative regulations promulgated thereunder shall only enter or access private open land in accordance with Section 1 of this Act.

  The enforcement provisions now specify that entry onto private land during enforcement must follow the new rules set in Section 1 of the Act.

Action History

1. March 11, 2026

   to Tourism & Outdoor Recreation (H)

2. March 04, 2026

   to Committee on Committees (H)

3. March 04, 2026

   introduced in House

Sponsors

• Josh Calloway · Primary
• T.J. Roberts · Primary
• Savannah Maddox · Primary

Subjects