ALLOW TRANSFER OF PRIVATE-LAND

ANTERLESS DEER LICENSE

House Bill 6133 as introduced

Sponsor:  Rep. Curtis S. VanderWall

Committee:  Natural Resources

Complete to 10-2-18

SUMMARY:

House Bill 6133 would amend Part 435 (Hunting and Fishing Licensing) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to allow an individual who obtains a private-land antlerless deer license to transfer that license to an immediate family member.

Under the bill, immediate family member would include a spouse, child, stepchild, sibling, or parent.

Currently, antlerless licenses may not be transferred. A private-land antlerless deer license allows the taking of antlerless deer from privately owned land with the permission of the landowner.

MCL 324.43527a

FISCAL IMPACT:

House Bill 6133 may reduce revenue for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) by providing for the transfer of a private-land antlerless deer license to an immediate family member; under current law each hunter must purchase his or her own nontransferable license. The amount of license revenue forgone by the DNR under the bill due to immediate family transfers is unclear at present. The sale of all hunting and fishing licenses generated approximately $62.1 million in FY 2016-17. This revenue was used to support wildlife and fishery programs, DNR law enforcement, and departmental administration in accordance with statute. The bill is unlikely to affect DNR costs or local government revenue or costs.

                                                                                        Legislative Analyst:   Emily S. Smith

                                                                                                Fiscal Analyst:   Austin Scott

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.