GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
1995 SESSION
CHAPTER 601
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1. The title of Article 22A of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes reads as rewritten:
"ARTICLE 22A.
"Trespassing upon 'Posted' Property to Hunt,
Fish or Trap. Fish,
Trap, or Remove
Pine Needles or Pine Straw."
Sec. 2. G.S. 14-159.6 reads as rewritten:
"§ 14-159.6. Trespass for purposes of hunting, etc., without written consent a misdemeanor.
(a) Any person who willfully goes on the land, waters, ponds, or a legally established waterfowl blind of another upon which notices, signs or posters, described in G.S. 14-159.7, prohibiting hunting, fishing or trapping, or upon which 'posted' notices have been placed, to hunt, fish or trap without the written consent of the owner or his agent shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor. Provided, further, that no arrests under authority of this section shall be made without the consent of the owner or owners of said land, or their duly authorized agents in the following counties: Halifax and Warren.
(b) Any person who willfully goes on the land of another upon which notices, signs or posters, described in G.S. 14-159.7, prohibiting the raking or removing of pine needles or pine straw without the written consent of the owner or the owner's agent shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor for the first offense, and of a Class I felony for second or subsequent offenses."
Sec. 3. Article 16 of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 14-79.1. Larceny of pine needles or pine straw.
If any person takes and carries away, or aids in taking or carrying away, any pine needles or pine straw being produced on the land of another person with the intent to steal the pine needles or pine straw, that person is guilty of a Class H felony."
Sec. 4. This act applies only to Montgomery County.
Sec. 5. This act becomes effective December 1, 1996, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 20th day of June, 1996.
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Dennis A. Wicker
President of the Senate
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Harold J. Brubaker
Speaker of the House of Representatives