ACREAGE LIMITATION: GAME & SPORTING S.B. 939:
FLOOR SUMMARY
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Senate Bill 939 (as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Senator Michelle A. McManus
Committee: Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs
CONTENT
The bill would repeal Part 433 (Limitation on Acreage for Propagation or Sporting Purposes) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, which sets a 15,000-acre limit on the amount of land a person may hold or enclose for hunting or other sporting activities, and prohibits a person from holding land for those purposes if it is within two miles of land held for the same purposes.
Specifically, Part 433 prohibits a person from acquiring, holding, or occupying by purchase, lease, or other evidence of title, possession, or right of occupancy or enclosing by fences or other barriers in one tract an amount of real estate within Michigan exceeding 15,000 acres for the purpose of the preservation or propagation of game or fish or for use for yachting, hunting, boating, fishing, rowing, or any other sporting purpose. In addition, a person may not acquire, hold, or occupy in that manner and for those purposes any real estate that is located within two miles of any other real estate acquired, held, or occupied for any of those uses or purposes.
A person who violates Part 433 is subject to a civil fine of $50 for each day that the violation continues.
MCL 324.43301-324.43303 Legislative Analyst: Julie Cassidy
FISCAL IMPACT
Repealing Part 433 would cost the State any fines collected from violations of this section. However, the amount of revenue the State brings in from this section is likely negligible due to the small size of the fine and narrow scope of the section.
Date Completed: 12-3-09 Fiscal Analyst: Josh Sefton
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. sb939/0910