MINNOWS, WIGGLERS, & CRAYFISH                                                       H.B. 5053 (H-2):

                                                                                                      FLOOR SUMMARY

House Bill 5053 (Substitute H-2 as reported without amendment)

Sponsor:  Representative Mike Shirkey

House Committee:  Natural Resources, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation

Senate Committee:  Outdoor Recreation and Tourism

CONTENT

The bill would amend Part 487 (Sport Fishing) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to do the following: 

-- Allow the export of minnows, wigglers, or crayfish, if they were harvested from outside the State and imported wholesale into the State.

-- Prohibit the export of minnows, wigglers, and crayfish taken from Michigan's jurisdictional waters. 

-- Require imported wholesale minnows, wigglers, and crayfish to be held separately from those taken from Michigan's jurisdictional waters.

-- Delete a provision authorizing the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to limit to 15 days per year the taking of minnows by a licensed person for preservation for fish bait purposes.

Part 487 prohibits a person from transporting outside of Michigan any minnows, wigglers, or crayfish, dead or alive, taken either in or outside of the State.  Upon receiving a payment of $25, the DNR may issue a permit to a resident licensed under Section 48732, enabling him or her to transport outside of the State minnows, wigglers, and crayfish preserved in liquid and bottled for fish bait.  (Section 48732 provides for a limited retail minnow dealer's license that entitles the licensee to buy, transport, and retail minnows, wigglers, and crayfish.  The section also provides for a wholesale minnow dealer's license that allows the licensee to sell minnows, wrigglers, and crayfish at wholesale to licensed dealers.)

The bill would prohibit a person from exporting out of the State any dead or alive minnows, wigglers, or crayfish taken in or outside the State unless he or she held a permit.  Upon payment of the fee, the DNR could issue a permit to a resident licensed under Section 48732 enabling him or her to transport outside of the State minnows, wigglers, or crayfish that were harvested from waters outside of Michigan's jurisdictional border and imported wholesale across that border.

MCL 324.48729                                                             Legislative Analyst:  Julie Cassidy

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

Date Completed:  5-24-12                                                     Fiscal Analyst:  Josh Sefton

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.