HOUSE BILL NO. 6316

November 05, 2020, Introduced by Reps. Albert, Lower, LaFave and Eisen and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation.

"Natural resources and environmental protection act,"

by amending section 43527a (MCL 324.43527a), as added by 2013 PA 108, and by adding section 43540f.

the people of the state of michigan enact:

Sec. 43527a. (1) Beginning March 1, 2014, only Only an individual holding a valid base license is eligible to purchase a deer license or an antlerless deer license, pursuant to current regulations. The fee for a deer license or an antlerless deer license is $20.00.

(2) Beginning March 1, 2014, the The department shall charge a nonrefundable application fee not to exceed $5.00 for each individual who applies for an antlerless deer license.

(3) The department may issue a kill tag with or as part of each deer license. The kill tag shall must bear the license number. The kill tag may also include space for other pertinent information required by the department. The kill tag, if issued, is part of the license.

(4) Where authorized by the department, a resident may purchase a second deer license for the fee assessed under this subsection for the deer license for which that individual is eligible. However, a senior license discount is not available for the purchase of a second deer license. Where authorized by the department, a nonresident may purchase an additional deer license or antlerless deer license under this section for $170.00. The Except as otherwise provided in subsection (5), the department may issue orders under part 401 designating the kind of deer that may be taken and the geographic area in which any license issued under this section is valid, when advisable in managing deer.

(5) The department shall not prohibit an individual with a valid deer license from taking any antlered deer, regardless of the number of antler points on that deer, in any area of this state in which deer have tested positive for chronic wasting disease.

(6) The department shall deposit fifty cents from each deer license or antlerless deer license in the chronic wasting disease testing and research subaccount created in section 43540f to be used only for the authorized expenditures under section 43540f(4)(b) and (c). The department shall sell a chronic wasting disease testing tag to any individual who wishes to have his or her deer tested for chronic wasting disease. The fee for a chronic wasting disease testing tag is $5.00. An individual may purchase an unlimited number of chronic wasting disease testing tags. The department shall deposit the chronic wasting disease testing tag fee under this subsection in the chronic wasting disease testing and research subaccount created in section 43540f to be used only for the authorized expenditures under section 43540f(4)(a), (d), (e), and (f).

(7) The department shall make at least 1 chronic wasting disease check station or drop station available during any deer hunting season in any county that is included in a core CWD area, a CWD management zone, a core CWD surveillance area, or a CWD expanded surveillance area. An individual shall not submit a deer for testing at a chronic wasting disease check station or drop station unless the individual affixes a chronic wasting disease testing tag to the chronic wasting disease survey tag.

(8) As used in this section, "antlered deer" means a deer having at least 1 antler that extends 3 inches or more above the skull.

Sec. 43540f. (1) The chronic wasting disease subaccount is created in the game and fish protection account.

(2) The state treasurer may receive money or other assets from any source for deposit into the chronic wasting disease subaccount. The state treasurer shall direct the investment of the subaccount. The state treasurer shall credit to the subaccount interest and earnings from subaccount investments. The department shall be the administrator of the subaccount for auditing purposes.

(3) Money in the subaccount at the close of the fiscal year remains in the subaccount and does not lapse to the game and fish protection account or the general fund.

(4) The department shall expend money from the subaccount, upon appropriation, only for 1 or more of the following purposes:

(a) To administer the subaccount.

(b) To conduct research on chronic wasting disease in free-ranging deer or elk in this state.

(d) To provide for surveillance of chronic wasting disease, including the collection of hunter-harvested submissions and testing of free-ranging deer.

(e) To provide for educational materials and outreach about chronic wasting disease to affected stakeholders and the public.

(f) To enforce orders under section 40118(17) regarding importation of cervid carcasses.