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 August 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 issuing orders to protect fish and wildlife populations at risk of depletion. It specifies that such orders must clearly outline the affected areas and the duration of the restrictions, which cannot exceed five years. The department is required to notify the public about these orders through annual hunting, fishing, and trapping guides, which must be published by August 1. The bill also updates terminology, replacing "shall" with "must" in several instances to emphasize the mandatory nature of the requirements.

Statutes affected:
Senate Introduced Bill: 324.40113, 324.41103