February 23, 1999

  1. Bill Number and Sponsor:

    2. House Bill No. 4059

    Representative Mary Ann Middaugh, et al.

  2. Purpose:

    3. House Bill 4059 will amend Part 16, "Enforcement of Laws for Protection of Wild Birds, Wild Animals, and Fish", of 1994 PA 451 to increase the jurisdictional amount in condemnation cases brought before the district court to $25,000.00. Currently, if property with a value of more than $10,000.00 is to be condemned, the case must be filed in the circuit court.

  3. How Does This Legislation Impact Current Programs in the Department?

    4. This legislation will have little impact on the programs of the Department. The condemnation procedures that are impacted here relate to the seizure of various items by conservation officers in performing their duties. It would be rare that property with a value of more than $10,000.00 is the subject of a condemnation action.

  4. Introduced at Agency Request?

    5. No.

  5. Agency Support?

    6. Yes.

  6. Arguments Against the Bill:

    7. None.

  7. Arguments For the Bill:

    8. Although infrequent, some property used in violating the game and fish laws does exceed $10,000.00 in value. Extending the jurisdiction of the district court will allow an officer to process a case to conclusion in the same court in nearly all cases.

     

  8. State Revenue/Budgetary Implications:

    9. None.

  9. Implications to Local Units of Government:

    10. None.

  10. Administrative Rules Implications:

    11. None.

  11. Other Pertinent Information:

None.

 

K.L. Cool

DIRECTOR

MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

 

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