HOUSE BILL No. 4862


     June 3, 1997, Introduced by Reps. Green, Cropsey, Kukuk, Horton, Goschka, Hanley, DeVuyst, Rhead, Jaye, Bodem, Walberg, McNutt, Gernaat, Brackenridge and Voorhees and referred to the Committee on Conservation, Environment and Recreation.


        A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled

   "Natural resources and environmental protection act,"

   by amending section 40113a (MCL 324.40113a), as added by 1996 PA

   377.

               THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

 1         Sec. 40113a.  (1) The legislature finds and declares that:

 2         (a) The wildlife populations of the state and their habitat

 3    are of paramount importance to the citizens of this state.

 4         (b) The sound scientific management of the wildlife popula-

 5    tions of the state, including hunting of bear, is declared to be

 6    in the public interest.

 7         (c) The sound scientific management of bear populations in

 8    this state is necessary to minimize human/bear encounters and to

 9    prevent bears from threatening or harming humans, livestock, and

10    pets.


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 1         (2) The commission of natural resources  shall have  HAS the

 2    exclusive authority to regulate the taking of game  as defined in

 3     section 40103  in this state.  The commission of natural

 4    resources shall, to the greatest extent practicable, utilize

 5    principles of sound scientific management in making decisions

 6    regarding the taking of game.  Issuance of orders by the  THE

 7    commission of natural resources MAY ISSUE ORDERS regarding the

 8    taking of game  shall be made  following a public meeting and an

 9    opportunity for public input.

10         (3) NOTWITHSTANDING SUBSECTION (2), A RAISED PLATFORM MAY BE

11    USED FOR THE OTHERWISE LAWFUL TAKING OF GAME.  AS USED IN THIS

12    SUBSECTION, "RAISED PLATFORM" MEANS A HORIZONTAL SURFACE CON-

13    STRUCTED OR MANUFACTURED BY A PERSON THAT INCREASES THE FIELD OF

14    VISION OF A PERSON USING THE HORIZONTAL SURFACE BEYOND THE FIELD

15    OF VISION THAT WOULD NORMALLY BE ATTAINED BY THAT PERSON STANDING

16    ON THE GROUND.

























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