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HB 4401

Natural resources: hunting; pheasant hunting licensing; eliminate sunset. Amends sec. 43525c of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.43525c).

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Greg Alexander and 8 co-sponsors

Makes permanent the $25 annual pheasant hunting license and its funding subaccount, removing the 2026 sunset so pheasant stocking and related programs continue.

assigned PA 47'25 with immediate effect
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Bill Summary · HB 4401

Summary — HB 4401 (Greene)

Topic: Natural resources — pheasant hunting license; eliminate sunset
MCL affected: 324.43525c (section of 1994 PA 451)

Purpose / Intent

HB 4401 would make permanent (remove the statutory sunset) the state requirement for an annual pheasant hunting license and the related statutory provisions establishing the pheasant license fee and pheasant subaccount. Under current law those provisions were scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026; this bill eliminates that repeal so the license requirement, fee, and funding mechanism continue indefinitely.

Key provisions

  • Keeps the annual pheasant hunting license requirement for anyone 18 years or older who hunts pheasants; this requirement is in addition to a base hunting license.
  • Retains the pheasant license fee at $25.00.
  • Preserves exemptions from the pheasant license for:
    • Hunters only using licensed game bird hunting preserves (part 417),
    • Hunters on private land (except land enrolled in the hunting access program),
    • Hunters on public land in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula,
    • Holders of certain lifetime licenses (lifetime small game, lifetime sportsperson’s, comprehensive lifetime hunting & fishing).
  • Maintains rules for stamp-style issuance (must be affixed to and signed on the base license) and a collector purchase exception (collector may buy stamp without affixing/signing but such a collector purchase is not valid for hunting).
  • Keeps the pheasant subaccount in the Game and Fish Protection Account: license fees are deposited there, the subaccount is invested and retains year-end balances, and funds are to be used (by appropriation) only for costs associated with the purchase and release of live pheasants on state-owned lands suitable for pheasants.

Who is affected

  • Hunters age 18+ who pursue pheasants in Michigan (they must purchase the $25 pheasant license unless exempt).
  • Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) — administrator of the subaccount and recipient of license revenue.
  • State game and wildlife areas and pheasant management programs (funding continuity for releases, facilities, and habitat work).
  • Hunting organizations and service providers benefiting from maintained pheasant stocking programs.

Fiscal impact

  • Expected to increase/maintain revenue for the DNR by continuing collection of the $25 pheasant license. License sales began in 2021 and are deposited to the Pheasant Subaccount.
  • The sale of hunting and fishing licenses generated an estimated $63.7 million in FY 2023–24 overall; pheasant license revenue supports pheasant-specific habitat and release programs.
  • The bill is not expected to materially change departmental costs or local government revenues/costs.

Legislative status & timeline (selected)

  • Introduced: March 11, 2025 (sponsored by Rep. Jaime Greene)
  • Committee consideration and hearings in April–May 2025; reported favorably without amendment (Natural Resources & Tourism).
  • Passed House: June 4–10, 2025 (passed with immediate effect; Roll Call 104–4).
  • Referred to Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Agriculture: June 10, 2025.
  • Companion bill: SB 2998.

Stakeholder positions

  • Testified in support: Michigan Pheasant Hunting Initiative; Michigan United Conservation Clubs.
  • Support indicated: Michigan DNR, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Michigan Bear Hunters Association, Michigan Hunting Dog Federation, and others.

Note: This summary reflects the bill’s stated objective to remove the January 1, 2026 repeal (sunset) of section 43525c so the pheasant license requirement and related funding continue beyond that date.

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

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