HUNTING AGE H.B. 5192 (S-2): FLOOR ANALYSIS
House Bill 5192 (Substitute S-2 as reported by the Committee of the Whole)
Sponsor: Representative Scott Hummel
House Committee: Conservation, Forestry, and Outdoor Recreation
Senate Committee: Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs
CONTENT
The bill would amend Part 435 (Hunting and Fishing Licensing) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to do the following:
-- Lower the minimum age for a hunting license from 12 to 10 years old.
-- Allow a minor child (a person under 17) to hunt on land upon which the parent or guardian is not regularly domiciled if the child were accompanied by the parent or guardian, or another person authorized by the parent or guardian who was at least 18 years old (rather than 17, as currently allowed).
-- Lower the minimum age for a firearm deer, bear, or elk hunting license from 14 to 12 years old.
-- Allow a child under 14 to hunt deer, bear, or elk with a firearm only on private property and when accompanied by a parent or guardian, or another person authorized by the parent or guardian who was at least 18.
-- Refer to a "minor child" instead of a person "who is 12 years of age through 16 years of age" in provisions establishing hunting license fees.
-- Require the Department of Natural Resources, by October 1, 2008, to submit to the standing committees of the House and Senate with primary responsibility for conservation and outdoor recreation issues a report on the effect of the reductions in minimum hunting age on recruitment of new hunters and other relevant issues, such as hunter safety.
The bill also would amend a section requiring license fee revenue under Part 435 to be credited to the Game and Fish Protection Account. The bill would provide for money to be credited to the Account or, if House Joint Resolution Z is not approved by the voters, to the Game and Fish Protection Fund. The bill also would refer to "minor children", rather than "youth under 17 years of age", in this section.
MCL 324.43502 et al. Legislative Analyst: Julie Koval
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would increase revenue to the State by an indeterminate amount. Lowering the minimum hunting age from 12 to 10 years old could result in the issuance of additional hunting licenses. The minimum age for hunting deer, bear, or elk would be lowered from 14 to 12 years, also expanding the number of people eligible to hunt. It is unknown how many additional hunting licenses would be issued for minor children. Hunting license revenue is deposited into the Game and Fish Protection Fund for use in habitat development, fisheries activities, and the promotion of hunting and fishing.
Date Completed: 5-23-06 Fiscal Analyst: Jessica Runnels
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. hb5192/0506