ALL-SPECIES FISHING LICENSE H.B. 5002 & 5003:
SUMMARY OF HOUSE-PASSED BILL
IN COMMITTEE
House Bills 5002 and 5003 (as passed by the House)
Sponsor: Representative Gary Howell (H.B. 5002)
Representative Julie Brixie (H.B. 5003)
House Committee: Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation
Ways and Means
Senate Committee: Natural Resources
CONTENT
House Bill 5003 would amend Part 435 (Hunting and Fishing Licensing) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA) to do the following:
-- Allow individuals under the age of 17 to take and possess aquatic species in Michigan waters without an all-species fishing license.
-- Prescribe a $2 fee for a resident or nonresident under the age of 17 who chose to obtain an all-species fishing license.
House Bill 5002 would amend Part 435 of NREPA to exempt individuals under 17 years of age from an additional $1 fee for an all-species fishing license.
House Bills 5002 and 5003 are tie-barred.
House Bill 5003
Under Part 435, an all-species fishing license entitles the licensee to take and possess all aquatic species allowed by law. An individual 17 years of age or older is prohibited from taking or possessing an aquatic species, except aquatic insects, in Michigan waters in which the State has jurisdiction without an all-species fishing license. The fee for an all-species fishing license for a Michigan resident is $25; the fee for a nonresident is $75.
The bill would allow an individual under the age of 17 to take and possess aquatic species without an all-species fishing license; however, an individual under the age of 17 could still obtain an all-species fishing license. The fee for a resident or nonresident who was under the age of 17 for an all-species fishing license would be $2.
House Bill 5002
Part 435 requires the Department of Natural Resources to charge an additional $1 fee for a base license (which authorizes the licensee to hunt for small game, except for animals or birds that require a special license), a combination fishing and hunting license, and an all-species fishing license.
The bill would exempt an all-species fishing license purchased by an individual under the age of 17 from the additional $1 fee.
MCL 324.43532a (H.B. 5002) Legislative Analyst: Dana Adams
324.43532 (H.B. 5003)
FISCAL IMPACT
The bills would have a small, but likely positive fiscal impact on the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and no fiscal impact on local units of government. The bill would create an optional youth fishing license for anglers under 17 years of age. Any increase in DNR revenue would depend upon the number of youth fishing licenses purchased in a given fiscal year. Fishing license revenue is credited to the Game and Fish Protection Fund, which, including all of its subfunds, receives revenue of about $75.0 million to $80.0 million each year. The Fund is primarily used by the DNR to manage State land for the benefit of game species.
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.