2003 House Bill 5029 / 2004 Public Act 160

Authorize mourning dove hunt

Introduced in the House

Aug. 13, 2003

Introduced by Rep. Susan Tabor (R-71)

To list the mourning dove as a game species, which would authorize the Natural Resources Commission to establish an open season for hunting. The bill also repeals a law which states that only the legislature may designate a species as game. This would allow the Natural Resources Commission to designate a species as game.

Referred to the Committee on Conservation and Outdoor Recreation

Oct. 29, 2003

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Nov. 4, 2003

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one which does not include the provision repealing a law which states that only the legislature may designate a species as game.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Judy Emmons (R-70)

To attach a $350,000 appropriation to the bill to create a brochure for hunters about mourning dove hunting and management. Under the Constitution, a bill with an appropriation is not subject to a popular referendum. The Constitution provides that if a sufficient number of signatures are submitted (five-percent of the total votes cast for all governor candidates in the last gubernatorial election), a new law cannot go into effect until it is approved by a popular vote at the next general election.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 64 to 44 (details)

To list the mourning dove as a game species, and explicitly authorize the establishment of the first open season for mourning doves, under regulations to be promulgated by the Natural Resources Commission. The bill contains a $350,000 appropriation to create a brochure for hunters. Under the Constitution, a bill with an appropriation is not subject to a popular referendum. See Emmons amendment for details.

Received in the Senate

Nov. 5, 2003

Referred to the Committee on Appropriations

Feb. 12, 2004

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary

March 31, 2004

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that does not include the $350,000 appropriation of the House-passed bill and the brochure this would pay for, and requires hunters to acquire a $2 dove hunting stamp. Half of the $80,000 the stamp is expected to generate will go to the state Game and Fish Protection Fund, and half to a non-game wildlife trust fund.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Passed in the Senate 22 to 15 (details)

To list the mourning dove as a game species, and explicitly authorize the establishment of the first open season for mourning doves, under regulations to be promulgated by the Natural Resources Commission. The bill requires hunters to acquire a $2 dove hunting stamp. Half of the $80,000 the stamp is expected to generate will go to the state Game and Fish Protection Fund, and half to a non-game wildlife trust fund. There are no appropriations in the bill, making it subject to a referendum.

Received in the House

March 31, 2004

June 8, 2004

Passed in the House 65 to 40 (details)

To concur with the Senate-passed version of the bill, which does not include the $350,000 appropriation of the House-passed bill (reportedly inserted to make the bill "referendum-proof), but does require hunters to acquire a $2 dove hunting stamp.

Signed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm

June 18, 2004