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SB 276

Natural resources: fishing; structuring of fishing licenses and hunting licenses; revise. Amends secs. 43520, 43522, 43523a, 43523b, 43524, 43525b, 43525c, 43527a, 43528, 43528a, 43528b, 43529, 43531, 43532, 43532a, 43533, 43535, 43540a, 43540c, 43546 & 43553 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.43520 et seq.) & adds sec. 503d. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0277'25

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jon Bumstead and 1 co-sponsor

SB 276 restructures Michigan fishing and hunting licenses by amending pricing, eligibility, and residency requirements to modify access and revenue generation for state conservation programs.

referred to Committee on Natural Resources and Tourism
#naturalresources:fishing #naturalresources:hunting #stateagencies(existing):naturalresources
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Bill Summary · SB 276

Legislative bill overview

SB 276 restructures Michigan's fishing and hunting license system by amending multiple sections of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act. The bill modifies how licenses are categorized, priced, and administered, with specific changes to resident and non-resident licensing structures and eligibility requirements.

Why this is important

Fishing and hunting licenses generate substantial revenue for Michigan's Department of Natural Resources, funding conservation programs, habitat management, and enforcement. License restructuring directly affects access costs for recreational anglers and hunters, potentially influencing participation rates and conservation funding levels across the state.

Potential points of contention

  • Pricing impact: Changes to license fee structures may increase costs for some user groups while decreasing them for others, affecting participation equity and access to outdoor recreation
  • Residency requirements: Modifications to resident versus non-resident classifications could affect out-of-state hunters and fishers, potentially impacting tourism-related spending in Michigan
  • Implementation complexity: Restructuring 16+ statutory sections creates administrative burden on DNR staff and may cause confusion during transition periods for license vendors and users

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

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