WILD TURKEY LICENSE FEE S.B. 412 (S-1): FLOOR SUMMARY
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Senate Bill 412 (Substitute S-1 as reported)
Sponsor: Senator Darwin L. Booher
Committee: Outdoor Recreation and Tourism

CONTENT
The bill would amend Part 435 (Hunting and Fishing Licensing) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to expand the purposes for which the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) must use a portion of wild turkey hunting license fees; and require the DNR annually to report to the Legislature on expenditures of the fee revenue.


Under the Act, the fee for a resident wild turkey hunting license is $15, and the fee for a nonresident license is $69. A person who is at least 65 may obtain a senior wild turkey license for $4. In addition, the DNR may charge a nonrefundable license application fee of up to $4. Of the money collected from the fees, specific amounts must be used for scientific research, biological survey work on wild turkeys, and wild turkey management.


Under the bill, the money also would have to be used 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.


To the extent possible, the DNR would have to use the fee money to create and manage wild turkey habitat on State forestland, State game areas, national forestland, and private land, where appropriate.


Before January 1 of each year, the Department would have to give the standing committees in the Senate and House of Representatives that primarily consider natural resources issues a report detailing the expenditures for the previous year.


MCL 324.43524 Legislative Analyst: Julie Cassidy

FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would not result in any net increase of overall expenditures. The Department's appropriation from the earmarked revenue for FY 2011-12 is $1.3 million.


Date Completed: 10-7-11 Fiscal Analyst: Bill Bowerman

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. sb412/1112