DNR Letterhead

BILL ANALYSIS

BILL NUMBER:	SENATE BILL 409, AS ENROLLED
TOPIC:	Modify period of validity of licenses
SPONSOR:	Senator Barcia
CO-SPONSORS:	None
COMMITTEE:	Hunting, Fishing and Outdoor Recreation
Analysis Done:	May 20, 2009

POSITION

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) supports this legislation.

PROBLEM/BACKGROUND

Currently, the DNR does not have the authority to issue hunting or fishing licenses for a period in excess of one year. Presently, 38 percent of licensed deer hunters in Michigan purchase a hunting license one year, but not the next year. In spite of this phenomenon, the number of licensed deer hunters remains relatively stable from year to year.

The Department submitted this legislation as one of its priorities for the year.

DESCRIPTION OF BILL

Senate Bill 409 gives the Natural Resources Commission the ability to determine the period in which a hunting or fishing license is valid.

SUMMARY OF ARGUMENTS

Pro

This bill will give the DNR the ability to create incentives for consistent license buying behavior among its license buyers. Doing so has the potential to enhance current revenue streams to the Department by recapturing and retaining license buyers each year.

Con

Modest retooling of the existing license retail sales system will be required.

FISCAL/ECONOMIC IMPACT

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

(a) Department

Budgetary:

None

Revenue:

Undetermined

Comments:

Increasing the number of license buyers from year to year will enhance revenue streams for the Department.

(b) State

Budgetary:

None

Revenue:

None

Comments:

None

(c) Local Government

Comments:

None

OTHER STATE DEPARTMENTS

None

ANY OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION

None

ADMINISTRATIVE RULES IMPACT

Rules can be promulgated to provide for administration of the act.

_______________________________

Rebecca A. Humphries

Director

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Date