GAME & FISH PROGRAM: WORK GROUP S.B. 927: COMMITTEE SUMMARY
Senate Bill 927 (as introduced 1-22-04)
Sponsor: Senator Michelle A. McManus
Committee: Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs
Date Completed: 4-19-04
CONTENT
The bill would amend Part 437 (Game and Fish Protection Trust Fund) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to establish a joint legislative work group on game and fish program revenue.
The work group would have to consist of representatives of the House and Senate standing committees with primary responsibility for natural resources issues and the House and Senate Appropriations subcommittees on natural resources. The Speaker of the House and the Senate Majority Leader would have to appoint members on a bipartisan basis within 30 days of the bill's effective date. Also, the group would have to include representatives of the Natural Resources Commission and other interested parties. Assistance and staff support to the work group could be provided by the House and Senate Fiscal Agencies.
By September 30, 2004, the work group would have to issue to the Legislature a report that included tax credit issues and alternative funding options to establish stable sources of long-term financial support for game and fish protection programs.
MCL 324.43705 Legislative Analyst: Claire Layman
BACKGROUND
The Act established an identical legislative work group on game and fish program revenue in 2001, and required that it report to the Legislature by September 30, 2002. The group evidently did not convene.
The Game and Fish Protection Fund, created in Part 435 of the Act, receives revenue primarily from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses. Funds are used for the enforcement of State game, fish, and fur laws; propagation of fish and animals; purchases of land; investigations; educational programs; and research. In addition, the Fund receives the interest and earnings from the Game and Fish Protection Trust Fund, and the Legislature may appropriate up to $6 million each year from the corpus of the Trust Fund to the Game and Fish Protection Fund. The Trust Fund receives revenue from gifts, grants, and bequests, and from bonuses, rent, and royalties from the lease or sale of State land used for mining.
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Fiscal Analyst: Jessica RunnelsAnalysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. sb927/0304