An act to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled “An act to protect the environment and natural resources of the state; to codify, revise, consolidate, and classify laws relating to the environment and natural resources of the state; to regulate the discharge of certain substances into the environment; to regulate the use of certain lands, waters, and other natural resources of the state; to protect the people’s right to hunt and fish; to prescribe the powers and duties of certain state and local agencies and officials; to provide for certain charges, fees, assessments, and donations; to provide certain appropriations; to prescribe penalties and provide remedies; and to repeal acts and parts of acts,” by amending sections 43517 and 43520 (MCL 324.43517 and 324.43520), section 43517 as amended by 2018 PA 399 and section 43520 as amended by 2018 PA 4.
The bill introduces a mentored hunting program that requires such individuals to be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or an authorized adult mentor. Mentors must be at least 21 years old, hold a valid hunting license (apprentice licenses do not qualify), and have either prior hunting experience or a hunter safety certification.
The legislation defines "developmental disability" and "intellectual disability" according to the mental health code. It allows for the issuance of hunting licenses to adults with developmental disabilities who have guardians and are unable to complete hunter safety training under certain conditions. The bill outlines the requirements for apprentice licenses and details the responsibilities of mentors within the program.
A mentored hunting license, which costs $7.50, grants various hunting and fishing privileges. It is available to minors under 10 years old, minors with disabilities, and adults with disabilities who have guardians. The bill mandates adherence to the mentored hunting program and requires the Department of Natural Resources to report every four years on the financial adequacy of the program, starting September 1, 2023.
Co-sponsored by Reps.
Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, Environment, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation
Reported with substitute H-1
Substitute H-1 concurred in by voice vote
Substitute H-2 offered
by
The substitute passed by voice vote
1. Amend page 6, line 2, after “(5)” by striking out “The” and inserting “Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the”.
2. Amend page 6, line 2, after “$7.50” by inserting a period, striking out “and”, and inserting “A mentored hunting license is free for an individual with a developmental disability. A mentored hunting license”
The amendment passed by voice vote
Passed in the House 109 to 0 (details)
Motion to give immediate effect
by
The motion prevailed by voice vote
Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Agriculture
Discharged from committee
Referred to the Committee of the Whole
Reported without amendment
Passed in the Senate 38 to 0 (details)
Motion to give immediate effect
by
The motion prevailed by voice vote
