PROHIBIT STERILIZATION OF GAME

House Bill 5321 as introduced

Sponsor:  Rep. Triston Cole

Committee:  Natural Resources

Complete to 1-16-18

SUMMARY:

House Bill 5321 would amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA) to prohibit the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) from issuing a permit that authorizes the sterilization of game.

Under NREPA, the DNR has the authority to issue permits for a variety of reasons, including the taking of animals for the purpose of rehabilitating animals; the taking of animals to prevent or control damage to crops or feed, disease, or nuisance caused by the animals; or the collection, transportation, possession, or disposition of animals and parts of animals for scientific purposes.

The bill would add a specific prohibition against issuing a permit that authorizes the sterilization of game.

MCL 324.40114

FISCAL IMPACT:

House Bill 5321 is unlikely to have an impact on revenues or costs for the Department of Natural Resources. The department has issued permission for the sterilization of game under a scientific collector’s permit, for which there is no fee collected by the department. The prohibition of this purpose is not likely to generate nor prevent additional revenue. The number of permits issued by the DNR for the sterilization of game has been very limited, so any administrative cost savings realized through the elimination of this purpose would be limited. The bill is also unlikely to have an impact local government revenues or costs.

                                                                                        Legislative Analyst:   Emily S. Smith

                                                                                                Fiscal Analyst:   Austin Scott

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.