CROP DAMAGE:  BEARS

House Bill 5226

Sponsor:  Rep. Edward McBroom

Committee:  Agriculture

Complete to 3-18-14

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5226 AS INTRODUCED 1-21-14

The bill would amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to allow individuals to obtain a bear permit to hunt bear outside of open season if a bear is determined by the Department of Natural Resources to be the cause of damage to emerging, standing, or harvested crops, or properly stored feed.

A permit obtained under this bill would only allow an individual with a current bear hunting license to take a bear. It also would prohibit individuals from taking more than one bear per calendar year if they kill a bear using a permit obtained through this bill. Individuals would also be prohibited from using bait to take a bear under the terms of the permit.

A timeframe for the Department of Natural Resources to make a determination on a permit request would also be established. The DNR would be required to respond to the applicant within 5 business days of receiving the request. If the permit is denied, then the department shall respond to the permit applicant in writing within 10 business days of receiving the application and include advice on how to control or prevent crop or feed damage caused by a bear.

MCL 324.40114

FISCAL IMPACT:

House Bill 5226 would have minimal fiscal impact to the Department of Natural Resources.  Any additional costs to the Department would be related to increased administrative costs from the bill's provisions requiring that the Department evaluate and make a determination upon a permit request within five business days and, if denied, respond to the requestor in writing within 10 business days with advice on other preventative techniques that can be used.  These bear damage permits would be issued at no cost to the applicant, but may only be issued to current bear license holders for that calendar year.  

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Josh Roesner

                                                                                                  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.