Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends privately owned cervidae livestock regulations in Michigan.

Highlights:

• Defines “cervidae species” as members of the animal family including deer, elk, moose, reindeer, and caribou (Sec. 2).

• Defines “biosecurity” as measures taken to prevent disease transmission between free-ranging and privately owned cervidae species (Sec. 2).

• Defines “department,” for the purposes of this act, as the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Sec. 2).

• Transfers administration of the Privately Owned Cervidae Producers Marketing Act from the Department of Natural Resources to the department (Sec. 3).

• Authorizes the department to consult with the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy in administering this act (Sec. 3). 

• Requires the department to issue initial registrations within 120 days and renewal registrations within 60 days of a completed application (Sec. 6)

• Requires the department to refund the registration fee and reduce the next renewal fee by 15% if it fails to meet those deadlines (Sec. 6). 

• Requires cervidae livestock facilities in existence on or before the effective date of this act to be in compliance with updated facility standards by April 1, 2028 (Sec. 5).

• Requires the department to update facility standards within 1 year of the effective date of this act (Sec. 6). 

• Amends registrations from 3-year to 1-year terms and reduces registration fees for Class I, II, and III facilities and full registrations (Sec. 8). 

• Requires the Department of Natural Resources to complete an audit of all expired and actively decommissioning cervidae livestock facilities within 1 year of the effective date of this act (Sec. 9). 

• Prohibits the intentional release of cervidae species from a registered facility or introduction of free-ranging cervidae into a facility (Sec. 17).

• Classifies a first offense as a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $300 or up to 90 days imprisonment and a second or subsequent offense as a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 or up to 1 year imprisonment (Sec. 17)

• Classifies intentional abandonment of a facility as a felony (Sec. 17). 

• Specifies that this act takes effect one year after passage (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text