CERVID CARCASS IMPORTATION                                                                     S.B. 211:

                                                                                  SUMMARY OF INTRODUCED BILL

                                                                                                         IN COMMITTEE

Senate Bill 211 (as introduced 3-2-17)

Sponsor:  Senator Dale Zorn

Committee:  Outdoor Recreation and Tourism

Date Completed:  4-25-17

CONTENT

The bill would amend Part 401 (Wildlife Conservation) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, to prohibit the importation of a cervid carcass or parts of a cervid carcass into Michigan from outside the State and specify the penalty for violating the prohibition.

Part 401, and other parts of the Act, regulate the taking of game in the State and prescribe administrative, civil, and criminal penalties for violations. As a rule, a person who violates Part 401, an order or interim order issued under Part 401, or a condition of a permit issued under it is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to 90 days, a fine of not less than $50 or more than $500, or both, plus the costs of prosecution. Increased penalties apply to violations involving specific types of animals, and enhanced penalties apply to offenders who have previous convictions for violating Part 401.

The bill specifies that a violation of Part 401 or an order or interim order issued under it regarding the importation of a cervid carcass or parts of a cervid carcass from another state or province would be a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to 90 days, or a fine of at least $500 but not more than $2,000, or both, as well as the costs of prosecution.

The importation of the following cervid carcass parts would not constitute a violation:

-- Hides.

-- Deboned meat.

-- Finished taxidermy products.

-- Cleaned teeth.

-- Antlers.

-- Antlers attached to a skullcap cleaned of brain and muscle tissue.

(A cervid is any mammal of the deer family.)

The bill would take effect 90 days after the date it was enacted.

MCL 324.40118                                                        Legislative Analyst:  Nathan Leaman

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on the State and could have a negative fiscal impact on local government. Any increase in misdemeanor arrests and convictions could increase

resource demands on law enforcement, court systems, community supervision, and jails. Any associated increase in fine revenue would increase funding to public libraries.

                                                                                       Fiscal Analyst:  Ryan Bergan

This 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.