FREE DEER LICENSE: TUBERCULOSIS S.B. 724: COMMITTEE SUMMARY
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Senate Bill 724 (as introduced 10-5-11)
Sponsor: Senator John Moolenaar
Committee: Outdoor Recreation and Tourism


Date Completed: 11-7-11

CONTENT
The bill would amend Part 401 (Wildlife Conservation) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to provide for a free deer license for a person who took a deer infected with tuberculosis.
Specifically, if an individual presented a lawfully taken deer at a field office of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) or at a check station, and the initial examination showed that the animal was infected with tuberculosis, the Department would have to give the individual a voucher or gift certificate redeemable for a free license to take another deer. If the DNR determined after a laboratory test that the animal was infected, the Department would have to send the person a voucher or gift certificate redeemable for a free deer license for the next calendar year's season.


Proposed MCL 324.40111b Legislative Analyst: Julie Cassidy

FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have an indeterminate, but likely very minor fiscal impact on the Department of Natural Resources. Depending on the number of deer submitted to the DNR that tested positive for Bovine Tuberculosis, the DNR would have to give a free deer license to the hunters who submitted each of those deer. While it is reasonable to assume that hunters who received a free deer license in this manner might buy one fewer deer license the next season, the number of licenses given away would likely be very small. A 2009 DNR report showed that of 1,401 deer tested between January 1, 2009, and October 16, 2009, only three tested positive for Bovine Tuberculosis. Had the bill been in effect at this time, it would have cost the Department $45 in lost revenue, assuming the hunters who received these free licenses otherwise would have purchased a regular firearm deer hunting license.

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. sb724/1112