MOURNING DOVE HUNTING H.B. 5029 (S-1): FLOOR ANALYSIS
House Bill 5029 (Substitute S-1 as reported)
Sponsor: Representative Susan Tabor
House Committee: Conservation and Outdoor Recreation
Senate Committee: Judiciary
CONTENT
The bill would amend Part 401 (Wildlife Conservation) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to do the following:
-- Include mourning doves in the definition of "game".
-- Authorize the Natural Resources Commission to issue orders game-taking orders regarding mourning doves, and to establish the first open season for mourning doves.
-- Require a mourning dove hunter to have a small game license and a $2 mourning dove stamp.
-- Require revenue from the stamp to be split evenly between the Game and Fish Protection Fund and the Nongame Fish and Wildlife Trust Fund.
The bill also would require the Department of Natural Resources, in its annual hunting guide, to include information on how hunters can distinguish mourning doves from other birds; management practices for the propagation of mourning doves; how mourning dove hunting is conducted ethically, lawfully, and safely; and special opportunities mourning dove hunting would offer to youth, the elderly, and the disabled.
MCL 324.40103 et al. Legislative Analyst: Patrick Affholter
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have an indeterminate fiscal impact depending on whether the addition of mourning doves to the definition of (game( would cause an increase in the sale of small game hunting licenses, or an increase in enforcement activities or fines related to dove hunting. In 2002, approximately 331,300 small game licenses were issued, generating $4,280,000 in revenue to the Game and Fish Protection Fund.
To hunt mourning doves, the bill would require a person to purchase a $2 stamp, in addition to a small game license. It is unknown how many stamps would be purchased. Of the stamp revenue, 50% would benefit the Game and Fish Protection Fund, which is used for the enforcement of game and fish laws, propagation of fish and animals, educational programs, and research. The remaining 50% of the revenue would be deposited into the Nongame Fish and Wildlife Trust Fund, which is used for research and management of nongame fish and wildlife, and designated endangered animal and plant species.
Date Completed: 3-31-04 Fiscal Analyst: Jessica Runnels
floor\hb5029 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.
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. hb5029/0304