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HB 5210

Natural resources: fishing; listing of different vessels on a single license; allow. Amends sec. 47331 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.47331).

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Greg Alexander and 37 co-sponsors

The bill lets commercial fishing licenses list multiple vessels, allow adding/removing vessels by written notice, and transfer licenses with a $1 fee, improving fleet flexibility.

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Bill Summary · HB 5210

Summary — HB 5210 (2025)

Title: Natural resources: fishing; listing of different vessels on a single license; allow.
Statute amended: 1994 PA 451, section 47331 (MCL 324.47331) — (as added by 1995 PA 57)
Introduced by: Rep. Gregory Alexander (and co-sponsors)
Status / actions (as provided): filed 3/14/2025; read first time 4/7/2025; referred to Ways & Means 4/7/2025; electronically reproduced 11/04/2025; introduced and referred to Committee on Natural Resources and Tourism 11/04/2025.

Main purpose

HB 5210 updates the commercial fishing license rules to allow greater flexibility in how vessels are identified and managed on licenses. The bill permits listing multiple vessels on one license, adding or removing vessels by written notice, and clarifies transfer and tag requirements.

Key provisions and changes

  • Multiple vessels per license: A licensee may list single or multiple vessels on each license and may list the same vessel on more than one license.
  • Add/subtract vessels: Licensees may add or subtract vessels on a license at any time by written notification to the Department.
  • Vessel tag: The Department must issue a tag bearing the license number and year that must be attached to the vessel for identification.
  • Transfer authority and $1 application fee: For a $1 application fee, the Department may:
    • Permit temporary transfer of a license to a larger or smaller vessel (or any vessel) while the licensed vessel is disabled and under repair;
    • Permit transfer of the license when ownership/title of the licensed vessel is sold or transferred (including transfers after loss by fire/collision), with conditions;
    • Permit transfer of a license to a similar vessel acquired after loss.
  • Resident/nonresident fee difference: If a licensed vessel is sold/transferred to a nonresident, the buyer must pay the difference between resident and nonresident license fees.
  • Fee differential on larger vessel: When a license is transferred to a larger vessel, the licensee must pay the difference in fee required for that larger vessel; no refund is given when transferred to a smaller vessel.
  • Geographic limitation: Any vessel to which a license is transferred must be used only within a 50-mile radius of the port designated on the originally issued license.
  • Estate/bankruptcy provision: Owners acquiring a licensed vessel from an estate or bankruptcy may have the license transferred to their name and may designate the port of choice on the license.

Who is affected

  • Commercial fishers and vessel owners/operators in Michigan (license holders and prospective buyers of licensed vessels).
  • Michigan Department of Natural Resources (administration of licenses, tags, and transfers).
  • Potentially nonresident purchasers (must pay fee difference).

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Increased operational flexibility for commercial fishers (easier fleet management, temporary vessel substitutions during repairs).
  • Administrative implications for the DNR to process written notifications, transfers, and issue tags.
  • Enforcement considerations: permitting the same vessel on multiple licenses and multiple vessels on one license may require updated tracking and inspection procedures.
  • Fiscal impact: direct change introduces a $1 transfer application fee; larger revenue effects depend on how often transfers and fee-difference payments (resident vs. nonresident) occur.

Notes on timeline

The bill text in the record was reproduced 11/04/2025 and shows introduction and referral to the House Natural Resources and Tourism Committee on that date. Other recorded procedural steps (filing and initial readings) are included in the provided legislative actions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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