Legislative Analysis
Phone: (517) 373-8080
CHANGE FAILURE TO REPORT DEER HARVEST
http://www.house.mi.gov/hfa
FROM MISDEMEANOR TO CIVIL INFRACTION
Analysis available at
Senate Bill 52 as reported from House committee http://www.legislature.mi.gov
Sponsor: Sen. John Cherry
House Committee: Natural Resources, Environment,
Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation
Senate Committee: Natural Resources and Agriculture
Complete to 6-27-23
(Enacted as Public Act 52 of 2023)
SUMMARY:
Senate Bill 52 would amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to make
failing to report a deer harvest or failing to retain a deer harvest confirmation number a state
civil infraction for which a person could be assessed a civil fine of up to $150.
Hunters taking a deer are required to report that kill within 72 hours or before transferring
possession of that deer to another individual, whichever time frame is shorter. A hunter can
designate someone else to make this report. The reporting person is required to retain the
confirmation number.
Currently, failure to report a harvest or failure to retain a harvest confirmation number is a
misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to 90 days or a fine of $50 to $500, or both,
and the costs of prosecution.
MCL 324.40118
FISCAL IMPACT:
In changing the penalty for failing to report a deer harvest or to retain a deer harvest
confirmation number from a misdemeanor to a civil infraction, Senate Bill 52 would have an
impact on costs to the state and to local county jails.
Costs to local county jails would be reduced. Costs of incarceration in local county jails varies
by jurisdiction, so the exact amount of savings to local units cannot be determined.
Revenue from civil fines and misdemeanor penal fines is dedicated to public and county law
libraries. There would be an impact on revenue going to public and county law libraries only
if revenue collected from civil fines is greater than the amount of revenue that was collected
when the offenses were considered misdemeanors.
There would be an increase in state revenue because, under section 8827(4) of the Revised
Judicature Act, $10 of the civil fine is required to be deposited into the state’s Justice System
Fund. Justice System Fund revenue supports various justice-related endeavors in the judicial
branch; the Departments of State Police, Corrections, Health and Human Services, and
Treasury; and the Legislative Retirement System.
House Fiscal Agency Page 1 of 2
 The fiscal impact on local court systems would depend on how provisions of the bill affect
court caseloads and related administrative costs.
Because there is no practical way to determine the number of violations that will occur under
provisions of the bill, an estimate of the amount of additional revenue the state would collect,
revenue for libraries, or costs to local courts cannot be made.
The bill is unlikely to affect costs or revenues for the Department of Natural Resources.
POSITIONS:
Representatives of the following entities testified in support of the bill (5-25-23):
• Department of Natural Resources
• Michigan United Conservation Clubs
The National Deer Association indicated support for the bill. (5-25-23)
Legislative Analyst: Josh Roesner
Fiscal Analysts: Robin Risko
Austin Scott
■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their
deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
House Fiscal Agency SB 52 as reported from House committee Page 2 of 2


Statutes affected:
Senate Introduced Bill: 324.40118
As Passed by the Senate: 324.40118
As Passed by the House: 324.40118
Public Act: 324.40118
Senate Enrolled Bill: 324.40118