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Committee approves DNR-backed license and registration fee changes to shore up fisheries and wildlife funding
Summary
House Bills 6229 and 6230 would raise hunting, fishing and watercraft registration fees and tie some fees to the consumer price index; the Department of Natural Resources said the changes are needed to restore purchasing power for hatchery feed, habitat work and program delivery, while some members warned about impacts on seniors and youth.
Taylor Ritterbush of the Department of Natural Resources told the committee the license and registration changes in House Bills 6229 and 6230 are needed because inflation has eroded agency purchasing power since the last fee increase (2014 for licenses; 1993 for some watercraft fees). "Fish food ... is up between 50–150 percent since 2018," Ritterbush said, and the DNR proposed tying fees to the consumer price index so modest increases occur automatically and allow program planning.
Randy Clermont, fisheries chief with the DNR, said Michigan's license fees remain low compared with other states and stressed the economic value of fishing and hunting. "Fishing alone brings $2,500,000,000 to the state," he said. DNR witnesses also defended lowering the angler licensing age from 17 to 16 to maintain federal funding formulas.
Representative Beeson opposed fee increases on equity grounds, arguing higher fees will price seniors and youth out of participation. Several committee members questioned whether license-price increases depress participation; DNR witnesses cited national studies and Michigan data suggesting small declines nationally but stable or growing angler participation locally. The committee adopted substitutes and reported both bills with recommendation (each 6 yeas, 2 nays).
