HUNTING FIREARM - H.B. 5002 (S-1): FLOOR ANALYSIS

House Bill 5002 (Substitute S-1 as reported)

Sponsor: Representative Larry DeVuyst

House Committee: Conservation, Environment and Recreation

Senate Committee: Hunting, Fishing and Forestry

CONTENT

The bill would amend Part 435 (Hunting and Fishing Licensing) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to allow a resident or a resident's designee to hunt woodchuck at any time without a license on farmland owned or operated by the resident. The bill also would repeal the provision of the Act that prohibits the possession of firearms or a bow and arrow during the spring wild turkey season unless a person possesses a valid wild turkey license (MCL 324.43512).

Currently, a resident, the resident's spouse, and the resident's children may hunt small game without a license on enclosed farmlands upon which they are regularly domiciled, at a time and in a manner permitted by law. They must obtain a waterfowl hunting license for hunting waterfowl and a Federal migratory bird hunting stamp as required by law. They also may fish without a license in water wholly within the limits of their enclosed farmlands or other enclosed lands upon which they are regularly domiciled, at a time and in a manner permitted by law. The bill would delete the resident's spouse and children from these provisions.

MCL 324.43514 - Legislative Analyst: N. Nagata

FISCAL IMPACT

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

Date Completed: 4-22-98 - Fiscal Analyst: G. Cutler

floor\hb5002 - 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.