LIMITED NONRESIDENT SMALL GAME LICENSE

House Bill 4533 as reported from committee as (H-1)

Sponsor:  Rep. Curtis S. VanderWall

Committee:  Tourism and Outdoor Recreation

Complete to 11-7-17                                                               (Enacted as Public Act 3 of 2018)

SUMMARY:

Section 43523a of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA) currently allows the purchase of a seven-day limited nonresident small game license for a fee of $80. 

House Bill 4533 would amend Section 43523a to allow a nonresident to purchase a three-day limited nonresident small game license for a fee of $50. The license would entitle the individual to hunt for a three-day period all species of small game that are available to hunt under a nonresident base license. The new license would be available beginning March 1, 2018.

HB 4533 would also allow the holder of a limited nonresident small game license (either the three-day license or the seven-day license) to purchase an additional waterfowl hunting license under Section 43525b of NREPA. (Currently, the holder of a limited nonresident small game license is not entitled to purchase any additional licenses.)

FISCAL IMPACT:

The department estimates that HB 4533 may result in a loss of $305,000 in annual revenue.  The creation of the three-day limited nonresident small game license at a lower sale price than that of the existing seven-day limited nonresident small game license would reduce revenue that the DNR would otherwise realize through the current license fee structure.  The number of potential nonresident hunters who would use the new license is unclear; however, the fee rate for the three-day license is 38% lower than that for the seven-day license. The bill would also allow holders of limited nonresident licenses to purchase additional waterfowl licenses at the current rate of $12; it is unclear how much additional license revenue would be generated by this new allowance.  The sale of hunting and fishing licenses generated approximately $63.2 million in revenue for DNR in FY 2015-16.  The bill would have no fiscal impact on local units of government.

POSITIONS:

A representative of the Department of Natural Resources testified in support of the bill. (11-1-17)

Michigan United Conservation Clubs indicated support for the bill. (11-1-17)

Ducks Unlimited indicated support for the bill. (11-1-17)

                                                                                         Legislative Analyst:   Rick Yuille

                                                                                                 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.