State of Michigan
JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM governor	DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Lansing	REBECCA A. HUMPHRIES director

BILL ANALYSIS

BILL NUMBER:	Senate Bill 1299, as introduced
TOPIC:	Senior discount on all-species fishing and restricted fishing licenses for disabled residents.
SPONSOR:	Senator Beverly Hammerstrom
CO-SPONSORS:	None
COMMITTEE:	Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs
Analysis Done:	June 28, 2006

POSITION

The Department of Natural Resources (Department) is neutral on the enactment of Senate Bill 1299.

PROBLEM/BACKGROUND

Currently, residents who are declared legally blind may purchase restricted and all-species fishing licenses at the discounted senior citizen rate (60% discount). In addition, disabled veterans entitled to receive benefits at the 100% rate, who are not legally blind, may purchase hunting and fishing licenses at the discounted senior rate.

DESCRIPTION OF BILL

The bill would amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA) to allow disabled residents, as determined by either the United States Department of Veteran Affairs to be entitled to benefits at the 100% rate, Title II of the Social Security Act, or Section 1382C of the Social Security Act, to obtain restricted and all-species fishing licenses at the discounted senior citizen license rate.

SUMMARY OF ARGUMENTS

Pro

This legislation would provide fishing license discounts to a broader range of individuals with disabilities by expanding the definition of a "disabled individual."

Con

Revenue would be slightly decreased by allowing disabled residents discounted access to fishing. Hunting and fishing activities are funded with user fees, and any decrease in revenue may result in less services being provided.

FISCAL/ECONOMIC IMPACT

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

(a) Department

Budgetary:

None

Revenue:

A slight revenue impact would occur to the extent that qualifying disabled residents currently purchase all-species and restricted fishing licenses at the full resident price. The current full price of a restricted fishing license is $15.00 and the current full price of an all-species fishing license is $28.00. This bill would allow disabled residents to purchase the licenses for $6.00 and $11.20, respectively. The extent of the revenue impact is unknown since the number of people who would qualify for and take advantage of this benefit is unknown. The impact may be even less due to the fact that disabled residents aged 65 and older and disabled veterans entitled to receive benefits at the 100% rate are already eligible for the discounted licenses.

Comments:

None

(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.

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Rebecca A. Humphries

Director

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Date

BSS/OLAF