GAME STERILIZATION: PROHIBIT                                                           H.B. 5321 (S-1):

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                      REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

House Bill 5321 (Substitute S-1 as reported)

Sponsor:  Representative Triston Cole

House Committee:  Natural Resources

Senate Committee:  Natural Resources

CONTENT

The bill would amend Part 401 (Wildlife Conservation) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to prohibit the Department of Natural Resources, until April 1, 2022, from issuing a permit authorizing the sterilization of game.

The bill also would require the Department to submit, to the standing committees of the Senate and House of Representatives with primary responsibility for natural resources issues, two reports on the results of research under any permit authorizing the sterilization of game issued before the bill's effective date. A preliminary report would have to be submitted by December 31, 2020, and a final report by March 31, 2022. The reports would have to include any recommendations for legislation, including whether and how sterilization of deer should be authorized as a manner of taking game.

The bill would allow the Natural Resources Commission to establish, in or adjacent to urban areas with a high concentration of deer, special deer management zones for which a higher number of deer kill tags would be issued.

The bill also would allow the legislative body of a municipality, by ordinance, to adopt a firearm hunting distance requirement shorter than the 150-yard requirement under Section 40111, as part of a deer management plan. The 150-yard requirement would not apply in circumstances addressed by the ordinance. (Section 40111 prohibits an individual from hunting with a firearm within 150 yards of an occupied building, dwelling, house, residence, or cabin, or any barn or other building used in connection with a farm operation, without obtaining the written permission of the owner, renter, or occupant of the property.)

MCL 324.40114                                                        Legislative Analyst:  Nathan Leaman

FISCAL IMPACT

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

Date Completed:  10-1-18                                                     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.