SB 276 Michigan Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

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

SB 276 revises Michigan's structure for fishing and hunting licenses under natural resources law. It amends multiple sections of the 1994 licensing code (MCL 324.43520 et seq.) and adds a new section 503d, directly affecting license holders who purchase or renew these permits. The bill focuses on restructuring how licenses are organized and issued, though the specific changes to license types, fees, or requirements are not detailed in the provided context. This revision aims to update the administrative framework for these permits without specifying new conservation or economic impacts.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

May 2025

Committee Review

Oct 2025

Senate Passage

Oct 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced May 1, 2025 Last action Oct 21, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

As Passed by the Senate → Substitute (S-3) - 2 · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill removes references to section 40111a, which previously governed deer and elk feeding rules and included a provision banning baiting orders effective October 1, 2025. The bill also adds new text regarding apprentice hunting licenses, clarifying supervision requirements for adults accompanying younger hunters. These changes streamline the bill's scope and update hunting license provisions.

Scope change

The bill's scope was reduced by removing section 40111a entirely, which previously dealt with deer and elk feeding regulations and baiting bans. The bill now focuses on other environmental and hunting sections.

SCOPE

Section 40111a was removed from the list of amended sections, eliminating provisions related to deer and elk feeding orders and the October 1, 2025 baiting ban.

REQUIREMENT

New text was added clarifying that apprentice hunting licenses require supervision by an adult with a regular hunting license, limiting one adult to accompanying no more than two apprentice licensees.

TECHNICAL

Formatting changes were made to the bill header and section numbering, removing references to section 40111a and updating the document identifier.

Senate Introduced Bill → As Passed by the Senate · 14 edits · Oct 21, 2025

MAJOR

This bill amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to update hunting and fishing license fees, expand eligibility for certain licenses, and establish a new fund for shooting range operations. The changes reflect updated pricing structures, clarify definitions, and add new provisions for youth and disabled hunters.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to include new provisions for shooting range fees and modifies existing hunting and fishing license requirements across multiple sections.

FISCAL

Added Section 503d creating a new 'shooting and education fund' to finance state-owned shooting range operations and shooting education programs.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified Section 43520 to clarify that individuals born after January 1, 1960 must provide proof of previous hunting experience or hunter safety certification to purchase hunting licenses.

REQUIREMENT

Modified Section 43523a to update base license fees for residents from $10 to $15 and nonresidents from $150 to $200.

Modified Section 43523b to update combination hunt and fish license fees, increasing resident fees from $75 to $100 and nonresident fees from $265 to $355.

Modified Section 43524 to update wild turkey hunting license fees from $15 to $18 for residents and from $69 to $180 for nonresidents.

Modified Section 43525b to update waterfowl hunting license fees from $12 to $18.

Modified Section 43527a to update deer license fees from $20 to $25.

Modified Section 43528 to update bear hunting license fees from $15 to $30 for residents and from $150 to $180 for nonresidents.

Modified Section 43528a to update moose hunting license fees from $100 to $125.

Modified Section 43528b to update wolf hunting license fees from $100 to $125 for residents and from $500 to $525 for nonresidents.

Modified Section 43529 to update elk hunting license fees from $100 to $125.

Modified Section 43531 to update fur harvester's license fees from $15 to $18.

Modified Section 43520(5) to clarify mentored hunting license fee structure, setting it at $7.50 for general applicants and free for individuals with developmental disabilities.

DEFINITION

Added new definition for 'recreation passport fee' in Section 503d(7)(b) referencing Section 2001.

Floor votes · Senate Oct 21, 2025

How they voted

23–14

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 38

Oct 21, 2025

D Democratic19

19 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican19

4 Yea 14 Nay 1

73% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Oct 21, 2025

Committee

referred to Committee on Natural Resources and Tourism

lower

Oct 21, 2025

Introduced

received on 10/21/2025

lower

Oct 21, 2025

Introduced

TITLE AMENDED

upper

Oct 21, 2025

Upper · Passed

PASSED ROLL CALL # 279 YEAS 23 NAYS 13 EXCUSED 1 NOT VOTING 0

upper

Oct 8, 2025

Upper · Passed

SUBSTITUTE (S-3) AS AMENDED CONCURRED IN

upper

Oct 8, 2025

Upper · Passed

REPORTED BY COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE FAVORABLY WITH SUBSTITUTE (S-3) AND AMENDMENT(S)

upper

Sep 25, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE WITH SUBSTITUTE S-3

upper

Sep 25, 2025

Upper · Passed

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED IMMEDIATE EFFECT

upper

Sep 25, 2025

Upper · Passed

REPORTED FAVORABLY WITH SUBSTITUTE S-3 9/24/2025

upper

May 1, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

upper

May 1, 2025

Introduced

INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JOHN CHERRY

upper

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor