REPEAL FALCONRY SUNSET S.B. 1085: COMMITTEE SUMMARY
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Senate Bill 1085 (as introduced 2-6-08)
Sponsor: Senator Randy Richardville
Committee: Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs


Date Completed: 4-22-08

CONTENT The bill would amend Part 401 (Wildlife Conservation) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to eliminate a January 4, 2009, sunset on a section that governs the taking of live raptors for use in falconry.

Under Section 40107a, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) must issue an order establishing a season or seasons for falconers to take a total of up to 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. In addition to these 25 raptors, the order must allow the issuance of two permits annually to take northern goshawks during the fall passage season. The order must designate the number of raptors that may be taken and possessed and any other conditions pertaining to the taking and possession of raptors that the DNR considers advisable.


Additionally, the order must prohibit the taking of raptors on national lakeshores, national recreation areas, and all State land. It must require licensed falconers to contact property owners or land managers and obtain written permission before making direct contact with any raptor nest. It must provide that only licensed falconers may have direct contact with the raptor nest and that a licensed falconer must leave in a nest at least two healthy young raptors. A licensed falconer must report the nest location from which a raptor is taken by county, township, range, and section to the DNR within five business days after taking the raptor.


Section 40107a and an order issued under it do not designate any species of raptor as game, nor does the section prohibit the DNR from determining that any species of raptor is a protected animal.


The section is scheduled to be repealed effective January 4, 2009. The bill would delete that sunset.


MCL 324.40107a Legislative Analyst: Julie Cassidy

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. sb1085/0708