INCLUDE "CROSSBOW" IN THE DEFINITION OF "BOW"

House Bill 5922

Sponsor:  Rep. Jase Bolger

Committee:  Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources

Complete to 3-8-10

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5922 AS INTRODUCED 3-4-10

Parts 401 (Wildlife Conservation) and 435 (Hunting and Fishing Licensing) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act currently contain separate definitions for the terms "bow" and "crossbow."  The bill would combine these two definitions into the single term "bow," delete current definitions of the term "crossbow," and delete other references to crossbows in Parts 401 and 435. 

In  Parts 401 and 435, "bow" would now mean "a device for propelling an arrow from a string drawn, held, and released by hand where* the force used to hold the string in the drawn position is provided by the archer's muscles or a weapon consisting of a bow, with a draw weight of 100 pounds or more, mounted transversely on a stock or frame and designed to fire an arrow, bolt, or quarrel by the release of a bow string that is controlled by a mechanical or electric trigger with a working safety." 

 

[*Note:  In Part 435, this word is "if" rather than "where," with no apparent change in meaning. (MCL 324.43502)]

The apparent effect of amending the definition of the "bow" to include both bows and crossbows would be to make provisions that govern carrying, transporting, possessing, or using bows also apply to crossbows.  In some places, Part 435 also uses the term "bow and arrow."  Presumably, references to "bows and arrows" would also now include crossbows. 

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

House Bill 5922 would have no fiscal impact on the State of Michigan or on local units of government.

                                                                                           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.