ALLOW LIMITED USE OF TROTLINES OR JUGLINES

House Bill 5132 as introduced

Sponsor:  Rep. Thomas A. Albert

Committee:  Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation

Complete to 12-3-19

SUMMARY:

House Bill 5132 would amend Part 487 (Sport Fishing), Subpart II (Fishing Devices) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA) to allow the use of trotlines or juglines in certain circumstances.

Trotline would mean a line anchored at one point, with more than two and not more than 25 hooks, and not associated with a hand-operated mechanical reel.

Jugline would mean a free-floating device that anchors a single line with no more than one hook and whose float material is constructed of plastic, wood, or foam with closed-cell construction.

Closed-cell construction would mean a solid body incapable of containing water.

Currently, individuals are prohibited from taking, catching, or killing a fish in Michigan waters, or attempting to do so, with certain hooks or lines or any other means or device other than a single line or a single rod and line while in the hand or under immediate control of the individual.

The bill would add a section to allow an individual to use trotlines or juglines on Michigan inland lakes and rivers to take nongame fish and snapping turtles. However, these individuals could not use live bait, set the line within 600 feet of a dam, or use more than 10 trotlines.

Additionally, an individual would have to mark in legible English on the trotlines or juglines his or her name, address, and telephone number. Juglines also would be required to have a reflective marker that encircles the juglines for nighttime visibility.

Individuals using trotlines or juglines would have to do all of the following:

·         Check trotlines at least once each day.

·         Remove fish and animals caught in those lines.

·         Remove the lines when not in use.

·         Keep juglines within sight of or attended by anglers at all times.

MCL 324.48703 and 324.48711 and proposed MCL 324.48703b

FISCAL IMPACT:

It is unclear whether HB 5132 would affect revenues or costs for the Department of Natural Resources. Generally speaking, the department is tasked with permitting and monitoring the taking of fish in Michigan. The bill would expand the allowable instruments used to take nongame fish and snapping turtles on inland lakes and rivers. The department’s Fisheries Division is funded by $32.4 million Gross in FY 2019-20, the majority of which is $21.4 million Gross to manage Michigan’s fisheries. The Law Enforcement Division enforces Michigan’s natural resources laws including the legal taking of game and fish. This division is funded by $44.8 million Gross in FY 2019-20. The bill is unlikely to affect revenues or costs for local units of government.

                                                                                        Legislative Analyst:   Emily S. Smith

                                                                                                Fiscal Analyst:   Austin Scott

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.