SENATE BILL NO. 254


   February 3, 1999, Introduced by Senators BYRUM, YOUNG, GOUGEON 
        and GOSCHKA and referred to the Committee on Hunting, 
        Fishing and Forestry.



        A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled

   "Natural resources and environmental protection act,"

   by amending section 43534 (MCL 324.43534), as added by 1995 PA

   57.

               THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

 1         Sec. 43534.  (1) The department may designate 1 day or 2

 2    consecutive days each year as free fishing days, during which a

 3    resident or nonresident may fish for all species of fish in

 4    waters of this state designated by the department without pur-

 5    chasing a license or permit.

 6         (2) A PERSON MAY FISH AT ANY TIME WITHOUT A LICENSE OR

 7    PERMIT IF BOTH OF THE FOLLOWING APPLY:

 8         (A) THE PERSON IS PARTICIPATING IN A FISHING DERBY CONDUCTED

 9    BY AN ENTITY THAT IS DESCRIBED IN SECTION 501(c)(3) OF THE

10    INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986.


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 1         (B) THE FISHING DERBY IS APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE

 2    PURPOSE OF THIS SUBSECTION.

 3         (3)  (2)  A person who fishes  during
             the free fishing day

 4     or days  pursuant to subsection (1) OR (2) has the
                       same privi-

 5    leges and is subject to the same rules and regulations as would

 6    be the holder of a limited fishing license issued  pursuant
             to 

 7    UNDER section 43533.










































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