"HUNTERS HELPING LANDOWNERS" PROGRAM

Senate Bill 717 (Substitute S-4)

Sponsor:  Sen. John Proos

House Committee:  Natural Resources, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation

Senate Committee:  Outdoor Recreation and Tourism

Complete to 6-4-12

A SUMMARY OF SENATE BILL 717 (S-4) AS PASSED BY THE SENATE 1-19-12

The bill would require the Department of Natural Resources to establish a new program, known as the Hunters Helping Landowners program, for the harvest of antlerless deer.

The bill amends Part 435 (Hunting and Fishing Licensing) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act.

The program must allow an individual willing to harvest antlerless deer to submit an application to the DNR to participate, indicating where the participant is willing to harvest the deer.  Applicants could select up to two counties.  Landowners that felt they needed additional antlerless deer harvested on their property could contact the DNR and request a list with all the individuals willing to harvest antlerless deer in landowner's county.

The DNR would have to include a notification in any list sent to landowners that the DNR has not verified that the individuals included on the list possess valid hunting licenses.  On January 1 of each year the DNR would have to delete all information pertaining to hunters that are willing to harvest antlerless deer that was obtained during the previous year.

The DNR would also be required to make each of the following available on its website:

o                   A list of all the deer hunting licenses and permits available in the state.

o                   The criteria for qualifying for each of the licenses or permits.

o                   A list of where to obtain the licenses or permits.

All forms and information about the Hunters Helping Landowners program would have to indicate the program is voluntary.

The program would be automatically repealed on January 1, 2017.

Proposed MCL 324.43526a

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

Senate Bill 717 would have an indeterminate fiscal impact on the Department of Natural Resources.  Any additional costs to the Department would depend upon the increased administrative workload incurred from the bill's provisions that the Department establish the new Hunters Helping Landowners Program, promote the program, process applications of interested hunters, compile lists of registered hunters by county, and post specific program information on the DNR website.  The bill does not require an application fee, so there is no additional revenue being provided to the DNR for the expenses of the new program.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Jeff Stoutenburg

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Viola Bay Wild

■ 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.