AN ACT AUTHORIZING BLACK BEAR HUNTING IN LITCHFIELD COUNTY.

SB 54 would authorize regulated black bear hunting in Litchfield County for the first year, limiting harvest to no more than 5% of Connecticut's total black bear population as of the bill's effective date. It requires the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to issue licenses for this hunting and submit a detailed report to the environment committee within one year, including the number of bears taken, licenses issued, and any recommendations for future management. This bill directly affects hunters in Litchfield County and the state's environmental agency, which would manage the program under these specific population and reporting requirements. The measure focuses on establishing initial hunting parameters and monitoring, with no broader statewide hunting changes proposed.