BILL NUMBER:  S6863

 TITLE OF BILL :  An act to amend the environmental conservation law,
in relation to allowing minors who hunt to wear pink material

 PURPOSE :

To authorize minors who are hunting to wear pink material

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :

Section 1 amends § 11-0929(2)(b)(6) of the Environmental Conservation
law to provide that a parent, guardian, or youth mentor and minor he
or she is accompanying while hunting may display solid or patterned
fluorescent pink in addition to fluorescent orange

Section 2 provides the effective date.

 EXISTING LAW :

Section 11-0929 pertains to hunting by minors. Subparagraph 6 or
paragraph b or subdivision 2 of this section provides, a licensee who
is fourteen or fifteen years of age shall not hunt wild deer or bear
with a crossbow or gun unless accompanied by a parent, legal guardian,
or youth mentor no less than 21 years of age who, with the minor, each
display a minimum total of 250 square inches of solid fluorescent
              

orange or patterned fluorescent orange material above the waist and
visible from all directions, or a hat or cap with no less than 50% of
the exterior consisting of solid florescent orange material visible
from all directions.

This bill extends this provision to the color pink so that minors and
their accompanying party may display solid or patterned fluorescent
pink instead of orange.

 JUSTIFICATION :

While women comprise a relatively small percentage of hunters, that
number has increased in recent years according to data published by
the US Census Bureau. But by giving young hunters and those
accompanying them the choice to wear fluorescent pink instead of
orange, more women may be encouraged to join in this time-honored
tradition. Hunters between the ages of fourteen and fifteen and those
accompanying them are currently required to display 250 square inches
of solid or patterned fluorescent orange material.  This legislation
extends the provision to fluorescent pink so that minors and their
accompanying party may display solid or patterned fluorescent pink
instead of orange as an option.

According to the University of Wisconsin and the Colorado Department
of Parks and Wildlife, the use of pink in hunting is as safe as
orange. A study conducted by the University of Wisconsin showed that
the human eye picks up florescent or blaze pink even more distinctly
than orange. The same study also found that for deer, pink is less
noticeable than orange.

During a time when participation in fishing, hunting, and other
wildlife-associated recreation is declining, this measure seeks to
reverse that trend by providing young hunters and those who accompany
them with the choice of wearing pink instead of orange. Additionally,
various studies show that wearing pink is as safe as orange. If color
choice encourages more young people to become involved with hunting
and safety is preserved by providing the preference, this legislation
will increase the number of participating sportsmen and contribute to
our state's culture and economy. For all of these reasons it is
imperative that this bill is enacted.
 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

New bill.

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

None.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect immediately.