ALLOW MOOSE HUNTING
Senate Bill 1013 (Substitute S-1)
Sponsor: Sen. Jason E. Allen
House Committee: Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources
Senate Committee: Hunting, Fishing and Outdoor Recreation
Complete to 3-15-10
A SUMMARY OF SENATE BILL 1013 (S-1) AS PASSED BY THE SENATE 3-3-10
The bill would amend Parts 401 (Wildlife Conservation) and 435 (Hunting and Fishing Licensing) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to do the following things:
· Require the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) to issue orders establishing a moose hunting season in Michigan, allowing at least one moose to be taken during each season.
· Require Michigan residents to have a moose hunting license to hunt moose (for a $100 license fee, and a non-refundable application fee of up to $4).
· Create, for one year only, a seven-member Moose Hunting Advisory Council within the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE), to issue a report on whether moose hunting should be expanded.
MCL 324.4011a & 324.43540d
FISCAL IMPACT:
Senate Bill 1013 would require the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) to issue orders establishing a moose hunting season in Michigan. The bill requires that the fee for a moose hunting license would be $100 and allows the Department to charge an application fee of up to $4. Hunting license fees are required to be deposited into the Game and Fish Protection Fund. Depending upon the size of the hunting program established by the NRC, the Department may incur additional costs associated with the license program and application process. It is expected that the $4 application fee would offset any additional costs to the Department.
While it is unknown how many applications the Department would receive for the moose hunting program, it is anticipated that there would be considerable interest in the hunt. Both the black bear hunt and the elk hunt in Michigan require a $4 application fee. In 2009, 57,285 hunters applied for the black bear hunt, and 38,826 hunters applied for the elk hunt.
The bill would establish the Moose Hunting Advisory Council within DNRE. The new Council's seven members would serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for their travel and relevant expenses. These provisions may increase costs to the DNRE by an indeterminate amount, depending upon the amount of refundable expenses of council members; however, the costs would only be incurred for the first year because the bill would abolish the council after one year.
DETAILED SUMMARY:
NRC orders. Within one year after the bill's effective date, the NRC would have to issue orders establishing an annual moose hunting season, allowing at least one moose to be taken during each moose hunting season.
Licenses; kill tags. A resident would need a moose hunting license to hunt moose ($100 fee). The DNRE could establish a nonrefundable application fee (of up to $4) for each person who applied for a moose hunting license. The DNRE could issue a kill tag with, or as part of, the license. Section 43526(2) would apply with respect to a moose hunting license. (Under that section (MCL 324.53626(2)), the department may issue a kill tag with, or as part of, a deer license. The kill tag bears the license number, and may include space for other pertinent information required by the DNRE. If issued, the kill tag is part of the license.)
Advisory Council. The bill would create the Moose Hunting Advisory Council within the DNRE with the following seven members:
· The DNRE director or designee.
· One member appointed by the director to represent an organization that promotes conservation in Michigan.
· Two members appointed by the director to represent organizations that promote hunting or fishing in Michigan.
· One member appointed by the director from a list of three names provided by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
· One member appointed by the director from a list of three names provided by the Senate Majority Leader.
· One member selected by the Michigan Intertribal Council.
Within 60 days after the bill took effect, council members would have to be appointed and the director would have to call the first meeting. At that meeting, the council would elect a chairperson and other officers it considered necessary or appropriate. After the first meeting, the council would have to meet at least quarterly, or more frequently at the call of the chairperson or if requested by a majority of the members. A majority of the members would constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting; a majority of the members present and serving would be required for official action.
The council would be subject to the Open Meetings Act and Freedom of Information Act.
Members would serve without compensation but could be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of official duties.
Report. Within 12 months after the bill took effect, the council would have to submit to the DNRE, the NRC, and the Legislature a report with recommendations on whether the moose hunting season established under the bill should be expanded. The report would have to take into account the effect an expanded moose hunting season would have on the moose population and the potential economic benefits of such a season. If the Council recommended an expanded moose hunting season, the report would need to include a recommended season length and number of moose to be taken.
Eliminate council after one year. The section of the bill creating the advisory council would be repealed 12 months after the bill took effect.
Legislative Analyst: Shannan Kane
Fiscal Analyst: Viola Bay Wild
■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.