6272: COMMITTEE SUMMARY (12-6-04) - CLASSIFYING ANIMALS AS GAME

CLASSIFYING ANIMALS AS GAME H.B. 6272 (H-1): COMMITTEE SUMMARY

House Bill 6272 (Substitute H-1 as passed by the House)
Sponsor: Representative Susan Tabor
House Committee: Conservation and Outdoor Recreation
Senate Committee: Natural Resources and Environmental Protection

Date Completed: 12-6-04

CONTENT The bill would amend Section 40110 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to do the following:

-- Require the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Natural Resources Commission to preserve and promote the heritage of recreational hunting in this State. -- Allow the DNR and the Commission to promote legislation that would classify animals as game and/or declare the first open season for game.
-- Make the DNR's authority to issue game-taking orders subject to the authority of the Commission to regulate the taking of game.

Under Section 40110, only the Legislature may designate a species as game and authorize the establishment of the first open season for that animal. After the Legislature does so, the DNR may issue orders pertaining to that animal for the purposes listed in Section 40107 (described below). Under the bill, the DNR's authority to issue these orders would be subject to Section 40113a. That section gives the Natural Resources Commission the exclusive authority to regulate the taking of game, as defined in the Act; requires the Commission to use principles of sound scientific management in making decisions regarding the taking of game; and requires a public hearing before the Commission issues an order regarding the taking of game.

(Section 40107 requires the DNR to manage animals in the State and allows the DNR, in doing so, to issue orders that: recommend to the Legislature animals that should be added to or deleted from the category of game; determine the kinds of animals that may be taken; determine which animals are protected; establish open seasons, subject to Section 40110; establish lawful methods for taking game; establish bag limits, geographic areas where certain regulations may apply, and conditions under which animals may be imported; determine conditions under which permits may be issued, and set permit fees; regulate the hours for taking animals; and establish methods of taking animals for their pelts.)

MCL 324.40110 Legislative Analyst: Suzanne Lowe

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

Fiscal Analyst: Jessica Runnels

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. hb6272/0304