The bill amends the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to introduce new provisions regarding hunting licenses and fees, particularly benefiting individuals with developmental disabilities. It allows the Department to charge a permit fee for the use of state-owned shooting ranges, which will be deposited into a newly established "shooting and education fund" managed by the state treasurer. The bill also modifies the hunting license application process for individuals with developmental disabilities, permitting guardians to apply on their behalf and allowing them to obtain licenses without completing hunter safety training. Additionally, it adjusts various hunting license fees, including an increase in mentored hunting licenses from $7.50 to $10.00, while maintaining the license free for individuals with developmental disabilities, and mandates annual fee adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index.

Further amendments include changes to the regulations surrounding hunting licenses for specific game, such as wild turkeys, waterfowl, and deer, with increased fees for these licenses and application fees. The bill requires that a portion of the collected fees be allocated for scientific research and wildlife management efforts. It also establishes a cold-water subaccount within the game and fish protection account to support habitat improvement and monitoring. Additionally, the bill modifies the "hunters feeding Michigan" program, previously known as "sportsmen against hunger," by outlining requirements for nonprofit organizations involved in the program and specifying a $1.00 donation collection alongside license fees. Overall, the bill aims to enhance accessibility to hunting, improve wildlife management, and streamline the administration of related programs.

Statutes affected:
Senate Introduced Bill: 324.43520