ELECTRONIC FISHING LICENSE                                                              S.B. 1075 (S-1):

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                                  ON THIRD READING

Senate Bill 1075 (Substitute S-1 as reported by the Committee of the Whole)

Sponsor:  Senator Wayne Schmidt

Committee:  Outdoor Recreation and Tourism

CONTENT

The bill would amend Part 435 (Hunting and Fishing Licensing) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to require the Department of Natural Resources, by March 1, 2018, to develop an electronic license that allowed an individual to display an electronic copy of his or her all-species fishing license, senior all-species fishing license, or 24- or 72-hour fishing license using an electronic device.

The bill also would require an individual who held a hunting, fur harvester's, or fishing license, beginning March 1, 2018, to carry it (as currently required) or, if applicable, an electronic copy of the license, and to exhibit it upon demand under certain conditions.

The bill specifies that an individual who displayed an electronic copy of his or her license would not be presumed to have consented to a search of the device. The State, a law enforcement agency, or an employee of the State or a law enforcement agency, a tribal conservation officer, or the owner or occupant of the land would not be liable for damage to an electronic device that occurred as a result of a conservation officer, tribal conservation officer, law enforcement officer, or owner or occupant of the land viewing an electronic copy of the license.

The bill also would eliminate various provisions pertaining to a restricted fishing license.

MCL 324.43516 et al.                                                        Legislative Analyst:  Jeff Mann

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have an indeterminate fiscal impact on the Department of Natural Resources and no fiscal impact on local units of government. It is not clear how much the development of an electronic fishing license would cost, or if development would be possible within existing contracts. Any additional costs would likely be borne by existing appropriations from the Game and Fish Protection Fund.

Date Completed:  10-18-16                                                    Fiscal Analyst:  Josh Sefton

This 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.