HUNTING & FISHING LICENSE DISCOUNTS

Senate Bill 349 (Substitute H-1)

Sponsor:  Sen. Jim Barcia

House Committee:  Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources

Senate Committee:  Hunting, Fishing and Outdoor Recreation

Complete to6-9-09

A SUMMARY OF SENATEBILL 349 AS REPORTED FROM HOUSE COMMITTEE6-2-09

The bill would amend Part 435 (Hunting and Fishing Licensing) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to remove certain restrictions on discounts offered by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on hunting and fishing licenses.  (MCL 324.43521)

Currently, theDNR may offer the following discounts:

·                        A marketing discount of up to 15 percent to increase participation in hunting and fishing activities.

·                        A discounted fee or no fee for an antlerless deer license in a specific area as needed to increase the harvest of antlerless deer.

·                        A sportsperson discount of 15 percent when someone buys four or more licenses at the same time for the same person.  (Waterfowl hunting and limited fishing licenses are not eligible for the sportsperson discount.)

Under Senate Bill 349, as amended by the House Committee, theDNR could (1) provide a marketing discount of any amount to increase participation in hunting and fishing activities, and (2) provide a discounted fee or no fee for any license or application (not just antlerless deer) to achieve a harvest or management objective for that species. (Specific provisions for sportsperson and antlerless deer discounts would be eliminated.)  Language in the Senate-passed version of the bill regarding partnerships with hunting and fishing groups and discounts for members of those groups has been deleted. 

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would have an indeterminate fiscal impact on game and fish license revenue depending on the amount and time period affected by discounts approved by the department. 

POSITIONS: 

            The Department of Natural Resources supports the bill.  (6-2-09)

            The Michigan United Conservation Clubs indicated support for the bill.  (6-2-09)

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Shannan Kane

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Kirk Lindquist          

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.