SPORT FISHING REGULATIONS H.B. 6271 (S-1):
FLOOR SUMMARY
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House Bill 6271 (Substitute S-1 as reported)
Sponsor: Representative Steve Lindberg
House Committee: Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources
Senate Committee: Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs
CONTENT
The bill would amend Part 487 (Sport Fishing) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to revise regulations pertaining to the number of lines an angler may use and the designation of a season for fishing with a spear or bow and arrow.
Part 487 prohibits a person from taking, catching, or killing, or attempting to take, catch, or kill a fish in Michigan waters by any means or device that involves the fish taking bait or a hook in the mouth other than a single line or a single rod and line. A person may not use more than two single lines or single rods and lines, or a single line and a single rod and line, and may not attach more than four hooks on all lines. The bill would increase the maximum number of single lines or single rods and lines to three, and increase the maximum number of hooks to six. The bill also would authorize the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to decrease the number of rods per angler, to a minimum of two.
Under Part 487, in recognized smelt waters, any number of hooks attached to a single line may be used for the taking of smelt. Under the bill, this provision also would apply in the Great Lakes, and would include alewife or other bait fish.
The bill would repeal a section authorizing the DNR to adopt fishing orders for the harvest of Coho and Chinook salmon on the Great Lakes and their connecting waters. This section also allows the DNR to adopt orders increasing the number of rods, lines, and hooks that may be used for the harvest of salmon and trout on the Great Lakes and their connecting waters, and to decrease the number of rods per angler but not to fewer than two.
The bill would delete provisions regulating the taking of fish with a spear or bow and arrow, including designated seasons for taking certain species by that means, and instead would allow the DNR to issue an order to regulate the taking of fish with a spear or bow and arrow in the waters of the State.
MCL 324.48701 et al. Legislative Analyst: Julie Cassidy
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have a small, but indeterminate fiscal impact depending on the changes the Department of Natural Resources made to the regulations for the taking of fish with a spear or bow and arrow. If additional or fewer fishing licenses are purchased due to the changes in opportunity for this type of fishing, then the Game and Fish Protection Fund could experience a small change in revenue.
Date Completed: 9-19-08 Fiscal Analyst: Jessica Runnels
floor\hb6271 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. hb6271/0708