DEER & ELK FEEDING ORDER H.B. 5380 (H-3): FLOOR SUMMARY
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House Bill 5380 (Substitute H-3 as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Representative Michael Lahti
First House Committee: Appropriations
Second House Committee: Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources
Senate Committee: Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs

CONTENT
The bill would amend Part 401 (Wildlife Conservation) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to do the following:

-- Delay from January 1, 2010, until January 1, 2016, the sunset on a requirement that the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) issue an order concerning deer and elk feeding.
-- Delete provisions specifying the content of the order.
-- Define "deer and elk feeding".

"Deer and elk feeding" would mean the depositing, distributing, or tending of feed in an area frequented by wild, free-ranging white-tailed deer and elk to prevent them from starving or for recreational viewing. The term would not include any of the following: baiting to take game as provided by an NRC order; scattering feed solely as the result of normal logging practices or normal agricultural practices; or feeding wild birds or other wildlife if done in such a manner as to exclude wild, free-ranging white-tailed deer and elk from gaining access to the feed.


In addition, the term would exclude the storage or use of feed for agricultural purposes if at least one of the following applied:

-- The area was occupied by livestock actively consuming the feed on a daily basis.
-- The feed was covered to deter wild, free-ranging white-tailed deer and elk from gaining access to the feed or was being used on a daily basis.
-- The feed was in a storage facility or was stored in a manner that was consistent with normal agricultural practices.


MCL 324.40111a Legislative Analyst: Julie Cassidy

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


Date Completed: 12-9-09 Fiscal Analyst: Josh Sefton

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. hb5380/0910