MOOSE HUNTING S.B. 1013:
COMMITTEE SUMMARY
[Please see the PDF version of this analysis, if available, to view this image.]
Senate Bill 1013 (as introduced 12-9-09)
Sponsor: Senator Jason E. Allen
Committee: Hunting, Fishing and Outdoor Recreation
Date Completed: 2-11-10
CONTENT
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:
-- Require the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) to issue orders establishing an annual moose hunting season.
-- Create the Moose Hunting Advisory Council within the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE).
-- Require the Advisory Council to issue a report on whether the moose hunting season should be expanded.
Specifically, within one year after the bill took effect, the NRC would have to issue orders establishing an annual moose hunting season. The orders would have to provide that at least one moose could be taken during each season.
The bill would create the Moose Hunting Advisory Council within the DNRE. The Council would consist of the following seven members:
-- The DNRE Director or his or her designee.
-- One member, appointed by the Governor, representing an organization that promotes conservation in Michigan.
-- Two members, appointed by the Governor, representing organizations that promote hunting and fishing in Michigan.
-- One member appointed by the Governor from a list of three names provided by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
-- One member appointed by the Governor 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, Advisory Council members would have to be appointed and the DNRE Director would have to call its first meeting. At that meeting, the Council would have to 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.
The Council would be subject to the Open Meetings Act and the Freedom of Information Act.
Council members would serve without compensation, but could be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties.
Within 12 months after the bill took effect, the Council would have to submit to the DNRE, the NRC, and the Legislature a report that made recommendations on whether the moose hunting season established under the bill should be expanded in Michigan. The report would have to take into account the effect an expanded moose hunting season would have on the State's moose population and the potential economic benefits of such a season. If the Council recommended an expanded season, the report also would have to contain a recommended season length and the number of moose to be taken.
The provisions regarding the Advisory Council would be repealed 12 months after the bill took effect.
Proposed MCL 324.40110a & 324.43540d Legislative Analyst: Julie Cassidy
FISCAL IMPACT
The Moose Hunting Advisory Council would serve uncompensated but necessary costs incurred by Council members would be reimbursed. Costs would likely include items such as mileage and hotel stays for members traveling long distances to meetings. These costs would not be very significant and would not be ongoing since the bill would abolish the Council after 12 months.
If the Natural Resources Commission decided to expand the hunt, there likely would be various costs associated. However, the DNRE currently monitors the moose herd in Michigan, so costs would likely be limited to those directly related to the license application and issuance process.
Fiscal Analyst: Josh Sefton
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. sb1013/0910