REPEAL: HUNTING BAN ON FROGS

Senate Bill 316 as passed by the Senate

Sponsor:  Sen. Darwin Booher

House Committee:  Natural Resources

Senate Committee:  Natural Resources

Complete to 10-10-17

SUMMARY:

Senate Bill 316 would amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA) to allow year-round hunting of frogs and repeal the prohibition on spearing frogs with the aid of an artificial light.

Currently, Section 45501 of NREPA prohibits a person from hunting frogs from November 16 to the Friday immediately preceding the opening of the fishing season on black bass, which is sometime in late spring. Additionally, it prohibits a person from spearing frogs with the aid of an artificial light at any time. SB 316 would repeal this section.

MCL 324.45501

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would reduce costs for state and local law enforcement by eliminating certain restrictions on frog hunting, thereby reducing required enforcement actions.  The bill would also reduce fine revenue by removing frog hunting under certain conditions as a finable offense.  The extent of these reductions is dependent on the number of frog takings that otherwise would have been subject to the statute repealed by the bill.  Consequently, the magnitude of the bill’s fiscal impact is unknown.

                                                                                        Legislative Analyst:   Emily S. Smith

                                                                                                Fiscal Analyst:   Austin Scott

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