TRANSPORTING BOW, CROSSBOW                                                         H.B. 5417 (H-2):

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                      REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

House Bill 5417 (Substitute H-2 as reported without amendment)

Sponsor:  Representative Steven Johnson

House Committee:  Judiciary

Senate Committee:  Outdoor Recreation and Tourism

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Part 401 (Wildlife Conservation) of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to allow a bow or crossbow to be transported or possessed in vehicle if it were unloaded and uncocked, instead of unstrung.

Part 401 generally prohibits an individual from transporting or possessing a bow or crossbow in a vehicle while it is operated on public land or on a highway, road, or street in the State unless the bow or crossbow is unstrung, enclosed in a case, or carried in the vehicle's trunk. Under the bill, an individual could transport or possess a bow or crossbow under those circumstances if the bow or crossbow, instead of "unstrung", were unloaded and uncocked.

"Uncocked" would mean the following: a) for a bow, that the bow was not in the drawn position; or b) for a crossbow, that the crossbow was not in the cocked position. "Unloaded" would mean, for a bow, that an arrow is not nocked, and for a crossbow, that a bolt is not in the flight groove.

The bill also would amend Part 435 (Hunting and Fishing Licensing), which allows an individual to carry, transport, or possess a slingshot, bow and arrow, or crossbow without a hunting license if the slingshot, bow, or crossbow is unstrung, enclosed in a vase, or carried in a vehicle in a location that is not readily accessible to any occupant of the vehicle. The bill would refer to a bow, rather than bow and arrow, and, instead of unstrung, the bill would refer to "unloaded and uncocked". "Uncocked" would mean, for a slingshot, that the slingshot is not in the drawn position. For a bow or crossbow, "uncocked" would be defined as described above. "Unloaded" would mean, for a slingshot, that the slingshot does not have ammunition in the projectile pouch. For a bow or crossbow, "uncocked" would be defined as described above.

MCL 324.40111 & 324.43513                                              Legislative Analyst:  Jeff Mann

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

Date Completed:  4-26-17                                                     Fiscal Analyst:  Josh Sefton

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.