REVISED DATES FOR OPEN SEASON

FOR LARGEMOUTH & SMALLMOUTH BLACK BASS

Senate Bill 869                                                                       (Enacted as Public Act 145 of 2014)

Sponsor:  Sen. Goeff Hansen

House Committee:  Natural Resources

Senate Committee:  Outdoor Recreation and Tourism

Complete to 5-5-14

A SUMMARY OF SENATE BILL 869 AS PASSED BY THE SENATE 3-26-14

Senate Bill 869 would amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA) by eliminating Section 48716(a), which sets the open season for Largemouth and Smallmouth Black Bass each year as from the Saturday before Memorial Day to December 31.  (Those dates does not apply to Lake St. Clair and the St. Clair and Detroit rivers, where the season begins the third Saturday in June.)

Part 487 of NREPA grants the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) exclusive authority to regulate the taking of fish in Michigan (MCL 324.48703a).  By removing the statutory provisions of an established largemouth and smallmouth black bass season, the bill would allow the NRC to issue an order to establish a season based upon the DNR’s current research and information.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Senate Bill 869 would have no significant fiscal impact to the Department of Natural Resources and no fiscal impact to local units of government. 

                                                                                        Legislative Analyst:   Josh Roesner

                                                                                                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.