IMPORTATION OF LARGE CARNIVORES

Senate Bill 703 (with House committee amendment)

Sponsor:  Sen. Joe Hune

House Committee:  Agriculture

Senate Committee:  Agriculture

Complete to 12-12-12

A SUMMARY OF SENATE BILL 703 AS REPORTED BY HOUSE COMMITTEE

The bill would add a new Section 8a to the Large Carnivore Act to prohibit the importation or attempted importation of large carnivore into the state unless all of the following conditions are met:

o                   The ownership and possession of the large carnivore is authorized under the Large Carnivore Act.

o                   The person has been issued a prior entry permit by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development as provided in MCL 287.706.

o                   An identification number has been placed in the large carnivore by subcutaneous microchip and the number is recorded on the prior entry permit.

The bill is tie-barred to Senate Bill 1236, which, among other things, amends the Large Carnivore Act to allow patrons of a business whose primary purpose is to present animals to the public to come into direct contact with bear cubs that (1) are 36 weeks old or younger and (2) weigh 90 pounds or less.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Senate Bill 703 would establish certain conditions on the importation of large carnivores into the state. The bill would require that a person be issued "a prior entry permit" by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.  With regard to the term "prior entry permit," the bill references Section 6 of the Animal Industry Act.

The fiscal impact of the bill cannot be readily determined.  We do know how much work would be required of the department in order for the department to issue a prior entry permit for large carnivores.  In addition, we do not have a basis for estimating the number of permits that might be requested.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Jeff Stoutenburg

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   William E. Hamilton

■ 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.