IMPORTATION OF LARGE CARNIVORE S.B. 703 (S-1): FLOOR SUMMARY
[Please see the PDF version of this analysis, if available, to view this image.]






Senate Bill 703 (Substitute S-1 as reported)
Sponsor: Senator Joe Hune
Committee: Agriculture

CONTENT
The bill would amend the Large Carnivore Act to prohibit a person from importing or attempting to import a large carnivore into Michigan unless all of the following requirements were met:

-- Ownership and possession of a large carnivore in Michigan were authorized by the Act.
-- The person was issued a prior entry permit by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD).
-- An identification number was placed in the animal by subcutaneous microchip.
The identification number would have to be recorded on the prior entry permit. "Prior entry permit" would mean that term as defined in the Animal Industry Act (MCL 287.706). Under that Act, "prior entry permit" means a code that is obtained from MDARD for specific species of livestock imported into Michigan that is recorded on the official interstate health certificate or official interstate certificate of veterinary inspection before entry into the State.


The bill is tie-barred to Senate Bill 210, which would amend the Act to exempt from portions of it a person whose facilities were accredited by the Zoological Association of America.


Proposed MCL 287.1108a Legislative Analyst: Patrick Affholter

FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have a minimal fiscal impact on the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and local government. The incidence of importation of large carnivores subject to the Act cannot be determined at this time, but it is estimated that the cost of enforcement by the State and local governments (animal control agencies) would be small.


In addition, there are no data to indicate how many offenders would be convicted of a misdemeanor for violating the bill. Local governments would incur the costs of incarceration in local facilities, which vary by county. Any additional penal fine revenue would be used in support of public libraries.


Date Completed: 9-30-11 Fiscal Analyst: Bruce Baker Matthew Grabowski

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. sb703/1112