REPEAL OF FROG KILLING BAN                                                                       S.B. 316:

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                      REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senate Bill 316 (as reported without amendment)

Sponsor:  Senator Darwin L. Booher

Committee:  Natural Resources

 


CONTENT

 

The bill would repeal a section of Part 455 (Frogs) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, that prohibits taking or killing frogs during certain times of the year or spearing frogs with the aid of an artificial light.

 

Section 45501 prohibits a person from spearing a frog with the aid of an artificial light at any time. Also, under Section 45501, a person is prohibited from killing or taking any species of frogs in the State from November 16 in any year until the Friday before the opening of black bass season the following year.

 

A violation of Part 455 is a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment for up to 90 days, or a fine of up to $50, or both, plus the costs of prosecution.

 

The bill would repeal Section 45501.

 

MCL 324.45501                                                        Legislative Analyst:  Nathan Leaman

 

FISCAL IMPACT

 

The bill would have no fiscal impact on the State and could potentially have a positive fiscal impact on local government. It is not known how many future violations would be avoided by repealing the ban, but any reduction in misdemeanor arrests and convictions could reduce resource demands on law enforcement, court systems, community supervision, and jails. Any associated decrease in fine revenue would reduce funding to public libraries.

 

Date Completed:  5-25-17                                                    Fiscal Analyst:  Ryan Bergen

 

 

 

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.