WILD TURKEY LICENSE FEE DISTRIBUTION

Senate Bill 412 (Substitute S-1)

Sponsor:  Sen. Darwin Booher

House Committee:  Natural Resources, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation

Senate Committee:  Outdoor Recreation and Tourism

Complete to 2-13-12

A SUMMARY OF SENATE BILL 412 (S-1) AS PASSED BY THE SENATE 10-26-11

The bill would amend Part 435 (Hunting and Fishing Licensing) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to increase the ways revenues from wild turkey hunting licenses are to be used by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Under current law, the fee for a resident wild turkey hunting license is $15 and the fee for a non-resident license is $69.  Additionally, the DNR can charge a non-refundable application fee of up to $4 for each application that is entered into a lottery.  Of the money collected from license and application fees, the DNR must use the specific amounts listed below for scientific research, biological survey work on wild turkeys, and wild turkey management.

·                    Resident wild turkey                             $9.50

·                    Nonresident wild turkey                        $50.00

·                    Senior wild turkey                                 $1.00

·                    Wild turkey hunting application  Up to $3.00 of application fee

In addition to the above uses, Senate Bill 412 would require the DNR to use those amounts cited above for the creation and management of wild turkey habitat on state land, national forestland, and private land; annual wild turkey population surveys; and annual random disease testing across the state's wild turkey range.  The bill says that, to the extent possible, the DNR would have to use the revenues described above to create and manage wild turkey habitat on state forestland, state game areas, national forestland, and private land, where appropriate. 

The bill says that before January 1 of each year, the DNR would have to provide a report detailing the expenditures for the prior year to the standing committees of the House and Senate that primarily consider natural resources issues.

MCL 324.43524

FISCAL IMPACT:

Senate Bill 412 would not increase revenues or expenditures for the Department of Natural Resources, but would increase the activities for which revenues from wild turkey licenses shall be used.  In FY 2010-11, the total revenue from the sale of turkey licenses and license applications generated an estimated $1.5 million.  Approximately $1.3 million of this funding is currently earmarked for the specific uses listed above of scientific research, biological survey work, and turkey management.  Under the provisions of the bill, the uses of this funding would be extended to the additional activities listed above.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Jeff Stoutenburg

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Viola Bay Wild

■ 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.