UNMANNED VEHICLES & HUNTING                                              S.B. 54 (S-1) & 55 (S-1):

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                      REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

Senate Bill 54 (Substitute S-1 as reported)

Senate Bill 55 (Substitute S-1 as reported)

Sponsor:  Senator Tom Casperson (S.B. 54)

               Senator Phil Pavlov (S.B. 55)

Committee:  Outdoor Recreation and Tourism

CONTENT

Senate Bill 54 (S-1) would amend Part 401 (Wildlife Conservation) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to prohibit the use of an unmanned aerial vehicle or an unmanned submersible vehicle to interfere with or harass an individual who was lawfully taking an animal or fish.

Part 401 prohibits an individual from obstructing or interfering in the lawful taking of animals by another individual, and prescribes actions that constitute a violation of this prohibition when the person acts knowingly or intentionally. An individual who violates the prohibition is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment and/or a fine, as prescribed in the Act, as well as revocation of any permit or license authorizing the individual to take animals.

The bill would include among the illegal actions using an unmanned aerial vehicle or an unmanned submersible vehicle to interfere with or harass another individual who was engaged in the process of lawfully taking an animal or fish. "Unmanned aerial vehicle" would mean an unmanned vehicle or device that uses aerodynamic forces to achieve flight. "Unmanned submersible vehicle" would mean an unmanned vehicle or device that operates on the surface of water or underwater.

Senate Bill 55 (S-1) would amend Part 401 to prohibit an individual from taking game using an unmanned aerial vehicle.

Part 401 prescribes general penalties that apply to violations for which no penalty is specified. As a rule, a person who violates Part 401 regarding the possession or taking of game is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine or imprisonment, or both, as prescribed in the Act.

The bills are tie-barred and would take effect 90 days after being signed into law.

MCL 324.40104 et al. (S.B. 54)                                   Legislative Analyst:  Ryan M. Bergan

       324.40111c (S.B. 55)

FISCAL IMPACT

The bills would have no fiscal impact on State government. The penalties associated with an increase in misdemeanor convictions would have a financial cost to local jails and court systems to prosecute violations and administer the sentences. Any associated fine revenue collected from convicted offenders would be directed to local public libraries.

Date Completed:  2-4-15                                                     Fiscal Analyst:  John Maxwell

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.