SF 2248 – Emerald Ash Borer task force and interim committee
SF 2300 – Regulation and registration of snowmobiles
HF 2067 – Allows youth to hunt beyond the youth wild turkey hunting season
FLOOR ACTION:
SF 2248 establishes a task force jointly led by the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture to investigate and identify issues related to the Emerald Ash Borer and to develop a comprehensive plan to cope with infestation of the pest and its aftereffects. [3/3: 43-5 (Chapman, Dix, Guth, Kapucian, Zumbach “no”; Ernst, Feenstra excused)]
SF 2300 updates regulations for the registration and operation of snowmobiles. The bill adjusts Code language to separate registration requirements for resident and non-resident snowmobilers. It also allows (but does not require) for the titling, but not registration, of farm snowmobiles that operate on farm property and other incidental use outside the property boundaries. Since farm snowmobiles are not to be used on public trails, they cannot be required to pay the registration fee that is required for trail use. In addition, the bill updates language allowing the operation of snowmobiles by 12- to 17-year-olds under the supervision of a parent or guardian. [2/27: 46-0 (Bertrand, Breitbach, Ernst, Houser excused)]
FLOOR & COMMITTEE ACTION:
HF 2067 allows those who have received a youth spring wild turkey hunting license but have not taken a wild turkey during the youth spring season to use that license in any other wild turkey season established by the Natural Resource Commission. [Floor 3/4: 49-0 (Ernst excused); Committee 2/27: short form (Hogg excused)]