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BILL ANALYSIS

BILL NUMBER: HOUSE BILL 5192, AS ENROLLED

PUBLIC ACT 280 OF 2006

TOPIC: Reduced Minimum Age for Firearm Deer, Bear or Elk License

SPONSOR: Representative Hummel

CO-SPONSORS: Representatives Steil, Pastor, Stahl, Hildenbrand, Shaffer,

Vander Veen, Pavlov, Acciavatti, Baxter, Mortimer, Zelenko, Elsenheimer, Marleau, Schuitmaker, Amos, Casperson and Farhat

COMMITTEE: Conservation, Forestry, and Outdoor Recreation

Analysis Done: July 3, 2006

POSITION

The Department supports this legislation.

PROBLEM/BACKGROUND

Currently, a license to hunt may not be issued to a person less than 12 years of age. A person less than 14 may not be issued a license to hunt deer, bear or elk with a firearm.

Youth face an increasingly complex array of positive and negative leisure time choices. By the time they reach age 12, many are so busy in non-hunting pursuits, often not involving parents, that they never start hunting and lack opportunities to maintain strong family bonds.

DESCRIPTION OF BILL

HB 5192 amends Part 435, Hunting and Fishing Licenses, 1994 PA 451, to allow a minor 12 years old or older to hunt deer, bear or elk with a firearm on private land if accompanied by a parent or guardian, or another person authorized by the parent or guardian who is at least 18 years old (rather than 17, as currently allowed). HB 5192 lowers the minimum age for other hunting licenses from 12 to 10 years old. Hunter safety education requirements must be met to be eligible to purchase these licenses. HB 5192 defines “accompany” in the statute and requires the Department to report to the Legislature regarding hunter recruitment and safety.

SUMMARY OF ARGUMENTS

Pro

Providing younger hunters the opportunity to hunt big game when accompanied by a parent or guardian will facilitate parental/guardian involvement in their children’s leisure time through mandatory parental/guardian supervision in all youth hunting experiences, enhance safety by providing training to those at a receptive age, and strengthen respect for the environment among youth. The experience of other states with hunter safety training requirements that allow hunting at younger ages is positive for safety, hunter recruitment and parental involvement. Also, providing a more welcoming set of opportunities is vital for adults with little or no previous hunting experience, individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, and women/girls.

Con

The bill provides this opportunity only for those that have access to private lands open to hunting. Many hunters only have access for hunting on public lands.

FISCAL/ECONOMIC IMPACT

Are there revenue or budgetary implications in the bill to the --

(a) Department

Budgetary:

None

Revenue:

There is a potential for a slight increase in revenue from additional hunting license sales.

Comments:

None

(b) State

Budgetary:

None

Revenue:

None

Comments:

None

(c) Local Government

Comments:

None

OTHER STATE DEPARTMENTS

None

ANY OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION

SB 1105 is another bill attempting to address hunter recruitment and proposes to create a new “Apprentice Hunter” license for hunters of any legal age. An apprentice hunter has not completed hunter safety education but may only hunt accompanied by a licensed hunter, 21 years old or older. If the apprentice hunter is less than 14 years old and hunting deer, bear or elk with a firearm, the apprentice may only hunt on private land. A person may not purchase an apprentice hunter license for more that 2 license seasons. They must then complete hunter safety and procure “regular” hunting licenses.

ADMINISTRATIVE RULES IMPACT

None

_______________________________

Rebecca A. Humphries

Director

_______________________________

Date

LED/WLD