REVISE REFERENCE TO FEDERAL

WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT

House Bill 5771

Sponsor:  Rep. John Stakoe

Committee:  Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources

Complete to 3-4-08

A REVISED SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5771 AS INTRODUCED 2-19-08

Part 405 (Wildlife Restoration, Management, and Research) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act directs the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to conduct and manage wildlife restoration and research projects in cooperation with the federal government under a federal wildlife restoration law and its regulations.  The applicable federal law also prohibits hunting license fees from being used for any purpose other than the DNR's game and fish programs. 

The bill would do the following:

·                    Revise the reference to the applicable federal law to the "Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act, 16 USC 699 to 699k."

·                    Indicate that regulations under that law are issued by the federal Secretary of the Interior, not the Secretary of Agriculture. 

[Reportedly, this technical amendment was recommended by the federal Department of Interior to the DNR in connection with a recent audit of the grants received by Michigan under this federal law.  The federal Department of the Interior awards nearly $20 million annually to the DNR in various hunting, fishing, boating, and other outdoor recreation programs.] 

MCL 324.40501

FISCAL IMPACT:

This bill would not have a fiscal impact on Michigan, but it would correct a statutory problem identified during the most recent federal audit of the department's wildlife and fisheries programs.  There would be no fiscal impact on local governmental units.

                                                                                           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.