Fundamentally, also what we have when we talk about wildlife and fisheries are a public resource. This is a publicly-owned resource; everybody in the state uses it. When folks are guiding, they are using that public resource for private profit, and so part of the requirements of this bill ensures that those who are profiting off of those public resources are lawful actors—that they aren’t violating our fish and wildlife laws and our laws that protect our public resources.
So why might you want to make sure that people are engaging in this activity are lawful actors? Well oftentimes as somebody guides, you are introducing people to this activity or this recreational pursuit for the first time. Do we want the introduction to these sports—which are part of our cultural heritage—to be with folks who are pursuing it lawfully and can convey that ethic to those wishing to join? I think most people say, Yes, we want that introduction to be happening on the part of those who are behaving properly.
While data collection is one piece of it, it is not the only piece of it. There are many reasons behind these bills.
Senator Daley’s statement is as follows:
I rise to speak in favor of Senate Bill No. 104. First I want to thank my good friend, Senator Cherry from the 27th District, for working with me on this package. I also want to thank the Senator from the 14th District, Senator Shink, for reporting this bill out of committee. And just in response to the good Senator from the 38th District, in committee we had twelve organizations—and I am going to list them—that supported this legislation. Twelve hunting organizations. We had one in opposition that was not even a hunting organization—the Mackinac Center was in opposition. We had the MUCC; we had the Michigan Hunting Dog Federation; we had the Michigan Trout Unlimited; we had U.P. Sportsmen’s Alliance—U.P. Sportsmen’s Alliance—I will repeat; Michigan Charter Boat Association; Ducks Unlimited; Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation; Michigan State Fox Hunters; National Deer Association; Michigan United Coon Hunters Association; U.P. Bear Houndsmen; and various local conservation clubs. So to say for a couple of organizations—and not a single hunting organization opposed this legislation in committee.
With that, I will move on to my prepared remarks. Senate Bill No. 104 would regulate and create licensing requirements for commercial hunting guides in the state of Michigan. Hunting is a vital part of life in this state and can be a great source of food and fun. As a farmer, I understand firsthand the benefits of managing animal populations via hunting so that our crops can thrive. I hope that this legislation will help everyone to feel comfortable retaining the services of a commercial hunting guide in our state. I agree with a wide range of stakeholders who have worked diligently on these bills over the last several years. I believe that this package provides a low threshold for entry and a basic framework for guides while protecting our hunters and anglers and ensuring increased data is available for wildlife management decisions.
I urge my colleagues to vote in support of Senate Bill No. 104.
The following bill was read a third time:
Senate Bill No. 105, entitled
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled “Natural resources and environmental protection act,” by amending section 40113a (MCL 324.40113a), as amended by 2016 PA 382.
The question being on the passage of the bill,
The bill was passed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows: