PHEASANT HUNTING LICENSES

AND COLLECTOR STAMPS

House Bill 4313 as introduced

Sponsor:  Rep. Gary Howell

Committee:  Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation

Complete to 10-22-19

SUMMARY:

House Bill 4313 would amend Part 435 (Hunting and Fishing Licensing) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA) to require a pheasant hunting license to hunt pheasants and to allow collectors to obtain a pheasant hunting stamp that would not be a valid hunting license.

Currently under NREPA, a base license is required to hunt small game.[1] Under the bill, an individual wishing to hunt pheasants would also have to purchase an annual pheasant hunting license for $25. If the pheasant hunting license were issued as a stamp, the stamp would have to be placed on the individual’s base license and signed across its face.

However, a collector would be able to purchase a pheasant hunting license stamp without being required to place it on a base license, sign across its face, or provide proof of competency as is normally required under section 43520(2).[2] A pheasant hunting stamp purchased under these parameters would not constitute a valid license for hunting pheasants.

The pheasant hunting license fees collected under the new section would be used by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to acquire, restore, or enhance lands to be managed for the benefit of pheasants and to release live pheasants on such lands.

Proposed MCL 324.43525c

FISCAL IMPACT:

House Bill 4313 is likely to increase revenues for DNR by requiring a $25 permit to hunt pheasants; the extent of this revenue increase depends on the number of permits sold, which is unclear at present. The bill may also increase law enforcement costs for the department, as DNR officers charged with verifying hunting licenses would be required to do so for pheasant hunts as well. The sale of hunting and fishing licenses generated $30.3 million in revenue for DNR in FY 2017-18. The department’s Wildlife Division has a budget of $46.2 million for FY 2019-20, including $45.6 million for wildlife management programs. The department’s Law Enforcement Division has a budget of $44.8 million for FY 2019-20.

                                                                                        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.

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