DNR & VOTER REGISTRATION APPLICATION S.B. 83 (S-1): FIRST ANALYSIS






Senate Bill 83 (Substitute S-1 as passed by the Senate)
Sponsor: Senator Michelle A. McManus
Committee: Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs


Date Completed: 3-6-07

RATIONALE


According to the Secretary of State, as of October 31, 2006, there were 7.6 million residents of voting age in the State. Of those, approximately 94% were registered to vote. It has been suggested that more people would register if the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) included a link to the voter registration application website on the DNR's application website for hunting, fishing, and fur harvester's licenses.

CONTENT
The bill would amend Part 435 (Hunting and Fishing Licensing) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to require the DNR to provide a link to the Department of State's voter registration application website page for each applicant who applied on the DNR's website for a resident hunting, fishing, or fur harvester's license.


Proposed MCL 324.43540e

ARGUMENTS (Please note: The arguments contained in this analysis originate from sources outside the Senate Fiscal Agency. The Senate Fiscal Agency neither supports nor opposes legislation.)

Supporting Argument The DNR maintains an e-license website that allows customers to purchase hunting and fishing licenses, special hunt applications, and permits 24 hours a day, seven days a week, within applicable sales dates. By providing applicants who use this site with a convenient way to register to vote, the bill could encourage increased participation in elections. While a significant percentage of the State's voting-age population has registered to vote, there is always room for improvement.


Legislative Analyst: Julie Cassidy

FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.


Fiscal Analyst: Joe Carrasco
Jessica Runnels

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. sb83/0708