Environment (Wildlife)

in committee · Michigan · House May 13, 2026

HB 5956: Natural resources: wildlife; requirement to register and report deer pelts; eliminate. Amends secs. 42504 & 42505 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.42504 & 324.42505).

This bill removes the legal requirement for hunters and dealers in Michigan to report the number of deer pelts they possess or trade. While the law currently mandates that individuals holding licenses must submit notarized reports on all other fur-bearing animals and game birds, this legislation specifically exempts deer pelts from those reporting obligations. The change affects both hunters who keep pelts after the season and businesses that buy or sell them, allowing them to exclude deer pelts from their monthly and seasonal filings to the state department.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill removes reporting requirements for deer pelts, weakening conservation tracking and data collection for wildlife management.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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in committee · Michigan · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 6008: Natural resources: hunting; gray wolf hunting and trapping season; provide for. Amends sec. 40110b of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.40110b).

This bill proposes to allow the Michigan Natural Resources Commission to establish the first official hunting and trapping seasons for gray wolves statewide. It authorizes the commission to create these seasons within 90 days of certain related laws becoming active, aiming to manage wolf populations and reduce conflicts with humans and livestock. The legislation directly affects hunters, trappers, and wildlife managers by setting the legal framework for future wolf harvests. However, the bill includes a condition that it will not take effect unless a separate companion bill regarding wolf management is also passed by the legislature.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill establishes hunting seasons for gray wolves, which restricts wildlife populations and weakens conservation efforts.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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passed both · Michigan · House Jun 10, 2026

HB 5536: Natural resources: wetlands; definition of wetland; update. Amends secs. 30301, 30307 & 30308 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.30301 et seq.).

HB 5536 updates Michigan's legal definition of "wetland" under the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act. It expands the definition to include features that are contiguous to the Great Lakes, over 5 acres in size, contain endangered species, or are designated as rare wetland types (like Great Lakes marshes or coastal fens). This change directly affects landowners, developers, and conservation groups by altering which areas require environmental review or mitigation for development. The bill also clarifies terms like "altered wetland" and "voluntary restoration projects" to guide land management practices.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands wetland definition to include Great Lakes areas, endangered species habitats, and rare wetlands, requiring environmental reviews and strengthening protections under the Natural Resources Act.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation Wildlife

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Dec 17, 2025

SB 755: Natural resources: other; circumstances under which a conservation officer may enter private property; limit. Amends sec. 1602 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.1602) & adds sec. 1507.

SB 755 limits when conservation officers can enter private property without permission. It requires officers to have either the property owner’s consent, a court warrant, or specific circumstances (like observing distressed wildlife or responding to an immediate public safety threat). This directly affects landowners by restricting officer access and conservation officers by defining their entry protocols. The bill does not change existing powers for officers to search boats, vehicles, or equipment without warrants, as clarified in amended Section 1602.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentLimits conservation officer access to private property without consent/warrant, restricting enforcement of natural resource laws and weakening environmental protection protocols.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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in committee · Michigan · House Mar 12, 2025

HB 4191: Natural resources: hunting; deer baiting license; provide for. Amends secs. 40102 & 40111a of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.40102 & 324.40111a).

HB 4191 requires hunters who bait deer during hunting season to purchase a $20 deer baiting license in addition to a valid hunting license. This applies specifically to those engaging in "deer or elk baiting" (depositing feed to attract deer for hunting), excluding agricultural practices, normal logging, or feeding wildlife that excludes deer. Revenue from the license must fund research and surveillance of chronic wasting disease and other wildlife diseases in deer and elk. The bill amends Michigan’s Natural Resources Act to establish this licensing requirement and funding mechanism.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates $20 tax specifically to fund chronic wasting disease research, directly allocating new revenue to a state wildlife program.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds chronic wasting disease research and surveillance to protect deer populations, directly supporting natural resource conservation and wildlife management objectives.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Wildlife

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in committee · Michigan · House Aug 21, 2025

HB 4784: Natural resources: other; authority to make certain decisions regarding game in the Upper Peninsula; grant to the Upper Peninsula natural resources commission. Amends secs. 40110, 40110a, 40110b & 40113a of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.40110 et seq.). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4785'25, HB 4786'25, HB 4783'25

HB 4784 gives Michigan's Upper Peninsula Natural Resources Commission (UP Commission) new authority to manage wildlife specifically in the Upper Peninsula. It authorizes the UP Commission to establish the first hunting seasons for moose and wolves in the region, while requiring all decisions to follow scientific wildlife management principles. The bill also grants the UP Commission exclusive authority over game species that primarily affect the Upper Peninsula or have minimal impact outside the region. This change directly affects the UP Commission's management decisions, hunters pursuing moose or wolves in the UP, and wildlife conservation efforts focused on the Upper Peninsula. The law mandates public hearings and scientific review before implementing hunting regulations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes science-based wildlife management for conservation, aligning with natural resource protection principles in the Upper Peninsula.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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in committee · Michigan · House Aug 21, 2025

HB 4785: Natural resources: other; Upper Peninsula natural resources commission; create. Amends secs. 301, 40102 & 40103 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.301 et seq.). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4784'25, HB 4786'25, HB 4783'25

HB 4785 creates the Upper Peninsula natural resources commission (UP commission) by amending Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to define it as a new entity. The bill also amends section 40102 to authorize the UP commission to issue orders regarding deer or elk feeding, a specific wildlife management issue. This commission will provide a regional decision-making body for natural resource matters in the Upper Peninsula, particularly concerning wildlife impacts on local ecosystems. The bill is tied to three other related bills (HB 4784, HB 4786, and HB 4783), requiring all to pass together.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates regional commission for natural resource management, strengthening oversight of wildlife conservation and local environmental decisions per bill's purpose.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Feb 5, 2025

SB 65: Natural resources: hunting; deer baiting license; provide for. Amends secs. 40102 & 40111a of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.40102 & 324.40111a).

SB 65 requires hunters to purchase a $15 (resident) or $30 (nonresident) "deer baiting license" to legally bait deer on private property during hunting season. This applies specifically to hunters using bait for taking deer, excluding agricultural practices, wildlife feeding, or disease management exceptions. The law also allows wildlife officials to restrict baiting in deer management units with two or more cases of chronic wasting disease within a year. The licensing requirement is temporary and will expire on January 1, 2029.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRegulates deer baiting to prevent chronic wasting disease spread, a conservation measure protecting wildlife populations and allowing restrictions in disease-affected areas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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in committee · Michigan · House Feb 13, 2025

HJR C: Natural resources: hunting; right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife; recognize in constitution. Amends the state constitution by adding sec. 29 to art. I.

This bill proposes adding a constitutional right to hunt, fish, trap, and harvest wildlife for all Michigan citizens. It specifies this right is subject only to regulations promoting wildlife conservation and management, and requires the state to allow reasonable access for these activities. The amendment explicitly states it does not change existing laws regarding property rights, trespass, or firearms unrelated to hunting. The proposal must be voted on by Michigan voters at the next general election.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly ties hunting/fishing rights to 'regulations promoting wildlife conservation and management,' reinforcing resource protection as a constitutional requirement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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passed · Michigan · House Apr 23, 2025

HR 30: A resolution urging the United States Congress to enact legislation that would reinstate the Department of Interior’s prior removal of the gray wolf from the endangered species list, thus allowing gray wolf population management to be handled at the state level.

House Resolution 30 is a resolution urging the United States Congress to enact legislation that would remove the gray wolf from the endangered species list. This action would transfer the authority for managing gray wolf populations from the federal government back to individual states.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill seeks to remove gray wolf from endangered species list, weakening federal protections and transferring management to states, directly opposing enhanced environmental conservation for protected species.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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