DISABLED HUNTER FLAG S.B. 1498: COMMITTEE SUMMARY
[Please see the PDF version of this analysis, if available, to view this image.]






Senate Bill 1498 (as introduced 9-16-08)
Sponsor: Senator Deborah Cherry
Committee: Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs


Date Completed: 11-10-08

CONTENT The bill would amend Part 811 (Off-Road Recreation Vehicles) to allow a disabled hunter or a person licensed to hunt from a standing vehicle to display a flag to identify himself or herself.

Part 811 prohibits a person from operating an off-road recreational vehicle (ORV) in an area on which public hunting is permitted during the regular November firearm deer season from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., subject to certain exceptions. The prohibition does not apply to a person holding a valid permit to hunt from a standing vehicle issued under Part 401 (Wildlife Conservation), or a person with disabilities using an ORV to gain access to public land for hunting or fishing purposes through use of a designated trail or forest road.


Under the bill, a person hunting or fishing under these conditions could display a flag to identify himself or herself as a person with disabilities or a person holding a permit to hunt from a standing vehicle. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) would have to determine the color of the flag.

(Part 401 authorizes the DNR to issue a permit to a person who is unable to walk because he or she is a paraplegic or an amputee, or because of disease or injury that has rendered him or her permanently disabled. The permit authorizes the person to take game during the open season for that game from or upon a standing vehicle if he or she holds a hunting license and complies with all other laws and rules for the taking of game.)


MCL 324.81133 Legislative Analyst: Julie Cassidy

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

Fiscal Analyst: 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. sb1498/0708