FISHING LICENSES/POSSESSION LIMITS H.B. 5481 (S-2) & 5662: FLOOR SUMMARY
[Please see the PDF version of this analysis, if available, to view this image.]






House Bill 5481 (Substitute S-2 as reported)
House Bill 5662 (as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Representative Goeff Hansen (H.B. 5481) Representative Dave Hildenbrand (H.B. 5662)
House Committee: Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources
Senate Committee: Hunting, Fishing and Outdoor Recreation

CONTENT
House Bill 5481 (S-2) would amend Part 487 (Sport Fishing) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA) to do the following:

-- Eliminate specific daily taking and possession limits on particular fish species.
-- Require the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to issue an order establishing possession limits of fish.
-- Prohibit a person from exceeding daily possession limits where the fish were taken and en route to his or her means of land transportation, residence, or place of lodging.


Additionally, the bill would allow a person to possess an additional two days' possession limit of fish processed by canning in a sealed container, curing by smoking or drying, or freezing in a solid state.


House Bill 5662 would amend Part 435 (Hunting and Fishing Licensing) of NREPA to do the following:

-- Include the possession of aquatic species in certain provisions applicable to the taking of aquatic species.
-- Include lake sturgeon, lake herring, amphibians, reptiles, and crustaceans among the aquatic species that may not be taken with a restricted fishing license.
-- Allow a person to purchase a 72-hour fishing license beginning in 2010, and establish a license fee of $9 for senior citizens and $21 for all others.


House Bill 5481 (S-2) would take effect on April 1, 2011. The bills are tie-barred to each other.


MCL 324.48721 (H.B. 5481) Legislative Analyst: Julie Cassidy 324.43509 et al. (H.B. 5662)

FISCAL IMPACT

House Bill 5481 (S-2) would change guidelines for the number and manner in which fish may be possessed. This would have little fiscal impact on the State.


House Bill 5662 would change how time-limited fishing licenses are purchased. Currently, residents and nonresidents can purchase a limited fishing license for $7 ($3 for senior citizens) per 24-hour period. The bill would change these licenses, allowing two types of licenses to be purchased: a 24-hour license, and a 72-hour license. The price for these
licenses would be essentially unchanged; $7 ($3 for seniors) for the 24-hour license, and $21 ($9 for seniors) for the 72-hour license. Since the 72-hour license would be priced at exactly three times the 24-hour license, the license scheme in the bill should result in minimal change in the amount of revenue the Department collects.


Date Completed: 3-8-10 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. hb5481&5662/0910