FALCONRY

House Bill 4757

Sponsor:  Rep. Goeff Hansen

Committee:  Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources

Complete to 5-4-09

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4757 AS INTRODUCED 4-2-09

The bill would amend Part 401 (Wildlife Conservation) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA) to require the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to issue an order establishing one or more seasons for falconers to take live raptors for use in falconry.  The order would designate the number of raptors that could be taken and possessed, and could contain other conditions considered appropriate by the DNR.  Provisions in Part 401 that previously governed the taking of raptors for falconry (MCL 324.40107a) expired by operation of a sunset provision on January 4, 2009. 

Procedural requirements.  In issuing the order, the DNR would have to comply with existing requirements for issuing an animal management order found in Section 40107(2) of NREPA, MCL 324.40107(2).  Those requirements include soliciting comments from field personnel and interested persons before preparing the order, providing the general public notice and an opportunity to comment, and giving a copy of a proposed order to each member of a relevant legislative standing committee at least 30 days before it is issued for review and an opportunity to comment.  (Specific notice to legislators is not required if the order does not alter the substance of a lawful provision that already exists in statute, rule, regulation, or order.) 

Designation of falcons as game or protected animals.  The bill would specifically prohibit the issuance of an order designating any raptor species as game.  It would not, however, prohibit the DNR from designating a raptor as a protected animal. 

MCL 324.40107b

FISCAL IMPACT:

There would be no fiscal impact on the state or on local governmental units. 

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Shannan Kane

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Kirk Lindquist

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