FISHING ACTIVITY REPORT S.B. 441 (S-1):
SUMMARY OF BILL
REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 441 (Substitute S-1 as reported)
Committee: Natural Resources and Agriculture
CONTENT
The bill would amend Part 445 (Charter and Livery Boat Safety) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to do the following:
-- Delete a provision that requires the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to form a catch activity committee.
-- Modify the frequency of the report that a charter boat operator would have to provide to the DNR from a monthly report to at least twice monthly, as determined by the DNR.
-- Allow the DNR to specify which information would be required in each catch activity report and each purchase of fish report.
-- Require a person with a charter fishing license to submit reports twice a month with specified information to the DNR and prescribe penalties for the failure to do so.
-- Require an individual with a wholesale fish license to report the purchases of all fish to the DNR twice a month and prescribe penalties for not doing so.
-- Require all reports addressed in the bill to be submitted at a frequency consistent with any applicable consent decree, decree, Federal court order, memorandum of understanding, or legally binding agreement.
BRIEF RATIONALE
The 2023 Great Lakes Fishing Decree is a 24-year agreement between the State, Federal government, and five Sovereign Tribes in the State that specifies how the parties will cooperatively allocate and manage the resources in the Great Lakes. Among other provisions, State and Tribal commercial fishers must report their catch data twice a month to improve data accuracy and assist the parties in co-managing resources. Accordingly, it has been suggested that Part 445 reflect the Decree.
Legislative Analyst: Eleni Lionas
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have a minor positive fiscal impact on the State and the DNR. There would be increased administrative costs associated with implementation and enforcement of the bill's provisions. These costs would likely be offset by the revenue generated through fines assessed against noncompliant charter boat operators and wholesale fish dealers.
Date Completed: 9-29-23 Fiscal Analyst: Jonah Houtz
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.