Bill
HB 6229
HB 6229 raises hunting and fishing license fees, creates Conservation Maintenance and Shooting/Education funds, boosting DNR revenue by about $22 million annually.
Status and sponsor
- Introduced Dec. 4, 2024 (Rep. Amos O’Neal). Reported with recommendation 12/12/24 and referred to second reading; subsequent committee activity in 2025 (public hearing 3/17/25; joint favorable substitute 3/24/25). Referred to Appropriations 4/29/25.
Purpose
- To amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to (1) raise many hunting and fishing license and permit fees, (2) change age and discount thresholds, (3) create new dedicated funds/subaccounts, and (4) allow the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to collect certain additional fees.
Key provisions and changes (selected, with dollar amounts)
- Small game (base): resident adult $10 → $15; resident minor $5 → $8; nonresident $150 → $163. Limited nonresident 3‑day $50 → $75; 7‑day $80 → $120.
- Combination hunting & fishing: resident $75 → $113; nonresident $265 → $273.
- Wild turkey: license $15 → $23 (nonresident reduced from $69 → $23); lottery entry fee $5 → $8; portions allocated for turkey research/habitat increased (e.g., $9.50 → $14). Application fee cap increased to $5 (from $3).
- Waterfowl: license $12 → $18; habitat allocations increased (e.g., $9 → $14; $1.93 → $3).
- Pheasant: $25 → $38 (this NREPA section is scheduled for repeal Jan 1, 2026).
- Deer: $20 → $30; antlerless application fee $5 → $8; nonresident second license $170 → $195.
- Bear: license $25 → $38; participation $15 → $23.
- Elk: resident license $100 → $150; application fee $5 → $8.
- Fur harvester: $15 → $23; removes 50% minor discount (for ages 10+).
- All-species fishing: resident $25 → $38; nonresident $75 → $88; age requiring a license lowered from 17 → 16.
- 24-hour fishing license: $10 → $15 and limited to residents; nonresidents may purchase 72‑hour license $30 → $60.
- Mentored hunting license: $7.50 → $11 (remains free for certain disabled individuals).
- Senior discounts: current 60% reduction on certain licenses reduced to a 25% discount.
- Many fees (specified licenses) will be annually adjusted for inflation (CPI measured from Dec 1, 2024).
- Miscellaneous: sport card fee $1 → $2; ability for DNR to pass credit‑card/commission fees to purchasers.
New funds / allocations
- Creates a Conservation Maintenance subaccount under the Game & Fish Protection account; allows voluntary contributions of $25+ to support maintenance/operation of conservation projects.
- Creates a Shooting and Education Fund to receive permit fees for use of state‑owned shooting ranges; funds used (upon appropriation) for range operation/maintenance and shooting education programs.
Who is affected
- Michigan hunters, fishers, minors, seniors, nonresidents, fur harvesters, and users of state shooting ranges. DNR operations and habitat/research programs would receive increased revenues and new dedicated funding streams.
Fiscal impact
- DNR estimates roughly $22 million in additional annual revenue from the fee changes. Historically annual license revenue has ranged ~$58.4M–$66.2M.
Timing / implementation
- Many fee increases are structured to take effect for subsequent license years and to be adjusted annually for inflation (CPI basis described in the bill). Some statutory provisions (pheasant section) are noted for future repeal (Jan 1, 2026).
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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