FALCONRY: EXTEND SUNSET - H.B. 4896 (H-1): FLOOR ANALYSIS

sans-serif">House Bill 4896 (Substitute H-1 as reported without amendment)

Sponsor: Representative Randy Richardville

House Committee: Conservation and Outdoor Recreation

Senate Committee: Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs

CONTENT

The bill would amend Part 401 (Wildlife Conservation) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to delay the sunset on a section providing for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to issue permits for the taking of up to 25 live raptors a year; and allow an additional two northern goshawks to be taken yearly.

Public Act 470 of 1998 added Section 40107a to require the DNR to issue an order establishing a season or seasons for falconers to take a maximum of 25 live raptors per year from any combination of red-tailed hawks, Cooper’s hawks, American kestrels, and sharp-shinned hawks for use in falconry. Section 40107a will be repealed on January 4, 2004. The bill would postpone the repeal to January 4, 2009.

Also, under the bill, the order would have to allow the DNR to issue two permits every year to take northern goshawks during the fall passage season for use in falconry. Each permit for northern goshawks would have to allow the taking of one live bird.

Under Section 40107a, the Department’s order must contain a requirement that a licensed falconer report to the DNR the nest location from which a raptor was taken by township, range, and section. The bill would require a falconer also to report the county in which a raptor was taken. MCL 324.40107a - Legislative Analyst: Claire Layman

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

Date Completed: 12-4-03 - Fiscal Analyst: Jessica Runnels

floor\hb4896 (H-1) - Analysis available @ http://www.michiganlegislature.org

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.