The bill amends the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, specifically sections 40113a and 41103, to enhance the management and conservation of fish and wildlife populations in Michigan. It emphasizes the importance of sound scientific management in regulating hunting and fishing activities, particularly concerning bear populations, to minimize human encounters and ensure public safety. The bill grants the commission exclusive authority to regulate game taking and mandates public input before issuing orders related to hunting and fishing. Notably, if the commission does not issue orders by June 1, those orders will not be valid until the following year's hunting or trapping seasons.

Additionally, the bill modifies the procedures for the Department of Natural Resources when it comes to protecting fish and game species at risk of depletion. It requires that orders suspending open seasons or regulating the taking of these species must clearly specify the conditions and duration of the orders. The department is also tasked with notifying the public about these orders through various means, including annual guides and newspaper publications. The amendments include changes to the language regarding the publication of orders and the establishment of experimental game management areas, ensuring that the management of natural resources is both transparent and scientifically informed.

Statutes affected:
Substitute (H-1): 324.40113, 324.41103
House Introduced Bill: 324.40113, 324.41103
As Passed by the House: 324.40113, 324.41103