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. Additionally, if the commission fails to issue orders by August 1, those orders will not be valid until the next hunting or trapping season.

In section 41103, the bill outlines the department's authority to issue orders for the protection of fish and wildlife in danger of depletion. It specifies that such orders must clearly define the affected areas and the species involved, and they cannot remain in effect for more than five years. The bill also updates the notification process for the public regarding changes to hunting, fishing, and trapping rules, ensuring that annual guides are published and made available by August 1. Other amendments include changes to the terminology used in the act, such as replacing "shall" with "must" to strengthen the language regarding compliance and notification requirements.

Statutes affected:
Senate Introduced Bill: 324.40113, 324.41103