MINNOWS, WIGGLERS, CRAYFISH H.B. 6355 (H-1):
SUMMARY OF HOUSE-PASSED BILL
IN COMMITTEE
House Bill 6355 (Substitute H-1 as passed by the House)
Sponsor: Representative Triston Cole
House Committee: Natural Resources
Senate Committee: Outdoor Recreation and Tourism
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to allow a person who operated as a charter fishing guide to transport and possess minnows, wigglers, and crayfish under certain circumstances.
The bill would take effect 90 days after its enactment.
Under the Code, a person may not take or possess minnows, wigglers, or crayfish for commercial purposes from any of the waters over which the State has jurisdiction, import minnows, wigglers, or crayfish for commercial purposes from outside of the State, or transport minnows, wigglers, or crayfish without having first procured a license as provided in the Section 48732 of the Code, which governs a limited retail minnow dealer's license. A license, except a license to fish in the waters of the State, is not required of persons taking minnows, wigglers, or crayfish for their individual use for bait.
Under the bill, a person who operated as a charter fishing guide on the Great Lakes or the inland waters of the State could transport and possess minnows, wigglers, and crayfish for exclusive use by their clients as bait while on a fishing trip without an additional permit or license if that person had purchased the minnows, wigglers, or crayfish from a wholesale or retail outlet that held a permit or license as provided in Section 48732 (described above).
Additionally, a person who operated as a charter fishing guide that purchased and provided live minnows, wigglers, or crayfish to their clients, would have to retain a receipt showing the quantity purchased and the wholesale or retail establishment the minnows, wigglers, or crayfish were purchased from, and present it upon request of a peace officer until the person no longer possessed them. A person who operated as a charter fishing guide could not sell or furnish minnows, wigglers, or crayfish for any other purpose other than the context described in the bill without first procuring a license provided in Section 48732.
MCL 324.48729 Legislative Analyst: Tyler VanHuyse
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
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.