RESTRICTED TROUT STREAMS - H.B. 5556 (H-5): COMMITTEE SUMMARY
House Bill 5556 (Substitute H-5 as passed by the House)
Sponsor: Representative Jason Allen
House Committee: Conservation and Outdoor Recreation
Senate Committee: Hunting, Fishing and Forestry
Date Completed: 4-23-02
CONTENT
The bill would amend Part 487 (Sport Fishing) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to do the following:
-- Require the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to designate up to 212 miles of trout streams in which only lures or baits could be used in fishing.
-- Require that designation to include any trout stream in a county containing a city with a population of 750,000 or more.
-- Require the DNR to adopt criteria for determining which other trout streams should be so designated.
Currently, the DNR may designate up to 100 miles of trout streams in which only lures or baits as the Department prescribes may be used in fishing. The bill would revise this provision as described above. The Act also allows the Department to prescribe the size and number of fish that may be taken from the designated trout streams. The bill would retain this provision.
In addition, the bill would require the DNR to issue an order adopting criteria for determining which trout streams should be designated (in addition to any in a county with a city having a population of 750,000 or more). Before issuing this order, the DNR would have to submit a proposed order to the Natural Resources Commission, which would have to receive public comment on it. The DNR would have to consider any guidance provided by the Commission on the proposed order.
(The Act defines "trout stream" as any stream or portion of a stream that contains a significant population of any species of trout or salmon as determined by the Department.)
The bill is tie-barred to House Bill 5431. (House Bill 5431 (H-1), as passed by the House, would amend Part 435 (Hunting and Fishing Licensing) of the Act to allow children under 12 years of age to fish with any bait not otherwise allowed, using only one rod and subject to a creel limit of one; and specify that a person under 17 could take aquatic species without a license but otherwise would be subject to requirements of the Act or a rule or order promulgated under it applicable to a person aged 17 or over.)
MCL 324.48701 - Legislative Analyst: Nobuko Nagata
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
- Fiscal Analyst: Pam GrahamS0102\s5556sa
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.