BEAVER TRAPPING LICENSE RESTRICTION                                                        S.B. 759:

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                      REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

Senate Bill 759 (as reported without amendment)

Sponsor:  Senator Tom Casperson

Committee:  Outdoor Recreation and Tourism

CONTENT

The bill would amend Part 425 (Furs, Hides, and Pelts) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to eliminate a prohibition against a licensed fur dealer's holding a license to trap beaver.

Under Part 425, a person must obtain a fur dealer's license from the Department of Natural Resources in order to engage in the business of buying, selling, dealing, or the tanning and dressing of raw furs, hides, or pelts of beaver, otter, fisher, marten, muskrat, mink, skunk, raccoon, opossum, wolf, lynx, bobcat, fox, weasel, coyote, badger, deer, or bear and the plumage, skins, or hides of protected game birds or game animals.

Part 425 provides that a person who holds a fur dealer's license is not eligible to secure or hold a license to trap beaver.  The bill would delete this restriction.

MCL 324.42501                                                             Legislative Analyst:  Julie Cassidy

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have very small, but likely positive, fiscal impact on the Department of Natural Resources, and no fiscal impact on local units of government.  Under the bill, people holding fur dealer's licenses would be eligible to purchase licenses to trap beaver.  There are approximately 280 individuals who possess fur dealer's licenses.  Assuming that none of these individuals currently purchases fur harvester licenses or intends to purchase base licenses under the new game and fish licensing structure that takes effect in April, the bill could generate a maximum of $7,280 in new license fee revenue.  It is likely, however, that the bill would generate significantly less new revenue, as some fur dealers would elect to purchase fur harvester licenses for the purposes of trapping species other than beaver anyway.  Additionally, under the new hunting fee structure, many dealers may elect to purchase a base license in order to hunt deer and other game species irrespective of the bill.  This would further reduce any new revenue generated.

Date Completed:  2-28-14                                                     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.