S.B. 1021: SECOND ANALYSIS - MACOMB COUNTY: ALLOW SUNDAY HUNTING


Senate Bill 1021 (as passed by the Senate)

Sponsor: Senator Dave Jaye

Committee: Hunting, Fishing and Forestry


Date Completed: 5-11-98


RATIONALE


Public Act 396 of 1994 repealed several Local Acts that prohibited Sunday hunting in Lapeer, Hillsdale, Huron, Lenawee, Macomb, St. Clair, Sanilac, Tuscola, and Washtenaw Counties, subject to voter approval in the respective counties at the next general election or any special election called by the county board of electors. Several counties, including Macomb, failed to submit the question of repealing the ban on Sunday hunting at a general election or special election before the deadline of December 29, 1996, set in Public Act 396. Under Local Act 9 of 1947, a person is subject to a misdemeanor charge and a fine of up to $100 and/or imprisonment in a county jail for up to 90 days for hunting game animals and game birds with firearms or dogs on any Sunday in Macomb County. Local Act 9 of 1947 allows State conservation officers to receive the same fees for making an arrest under the Act that other officers receive for similar service. Since hunting on Sunday currently takes place in Macomb County, it has been suggested that the Local Act should be repealed without local voter approval.


CONTENT


The bill would repeal Local Act 9 of 1947.

ARGUMENTS


(Please note: The arguments contained in this analysis originate from sources outside the Senate Fiscal Agency. The Senate Fiscal Agency neither supports nor opposes legislation.)


Supporting Argument

The bill would repeal Local Act 9 of 1947, which prevents hunting for game animals and game birds with firearms or dogs on Sundays in Macomb County. The Local Act, which was established over 50 years ago, currently is not enforced and clearly is outdated. The obsolete law should be removed from the books since hunting on Sundays has become generally accepted.


- Legislative Analyst: N. Nagata


FISCAL IMPACT


The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.


- Fiscal Analyst: G. Cutler

A9798\S1021B

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.