HUNTING BY VISUALLY DISABLED PERSON - S.B. 1258 (S-2): FLOOR ANALYSIS

Senate Bill 1258 (Substitute S-2 as reported)

Sponsor: Senator Christopher D. Dingell

Committee: Hunting, Fishing and Forestry

CONTENT

The bill would amend Part 401 (Wildlife Conservation) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to allow a visually disabled person to use a laser sighting device to take an animal with a crossbow if all of the following conditions were met:

-- The visually disabled person held a hunting license under the Act and complied with all other laws and rules for taking of the animal.

-- The person was accompanied or assisted by a person who was not visually disabled, who was at least 18 years of age, and who possessed a hunting license or a certificate of completion of training in hunter safety issued by this State, another state, a province of Canada, or another country. The person who was not visually disabled would have to furnish the license or certificate upon the request of a police officer.

-- The visually disabled person possessed proof of serious visual disability in the form of an official State personal identification card issued under the authority of the Secretary of State, and furnished the proof of serious visual disability upon the request of a peace officer.

-- If the animal were a deer, bear, elk, or turkey, the arrow, bolt, or quarrel used had a long broadhead hunting type of point at least 7/8 of an inch wide and at least one inch long.

(The term "visually disabled person" would mean a person with a serious visual disability as defined by the Department of Community Health. "Crossbow" would mean a weapon consisting of a bow mounted transversely on a stock or frame and designed to fire an arrow, bolt, or quarrel by the release of a bow string which was controlled by a mechanical or electric trigger and had a working safety and a draw weight of 100 pounds or more.)

In addition, the Department of Natural Resources currently may issue a crossbow permit to a person who is certified as being permanently disabled if the person holds a hunting license under the Act and complies with all other laws and rules for the taking of game. The Act requires a physician and a physical therapist to determine if the person is qualified to receive a permit under this provision. The bill would replace physical therapist with qualified medical professional.

MCL 324.40102 et. al - Legislative Analyst: N. Nagata

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill could result in a minimal indeterminate increase in revenue to the Game and Fish Protection Fund from sales of bow hunting permits to blind persons.

Date Completed: 11-16-98 - Fiscal Analyst: G. Cutler

floor\sb1258 (S-2) - 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.