Senate Bill 1248 Summary

• Amends the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to define "introduce" to include stocking, placing, planting, releasing, or using organisms as live fishing bait at locations where they are not already naturalized.

• Establishes prohibited species (including aquatic plants, birds, crustaceans, fish, insects, mammals, and mollusks) and restricted species that cannot be introduced into Michigan without authorization.

• Prohibits use of prohibited or restricted species as live fishing bait except at the specific location where the organism was originally obtained from the environment.

• Creates graduated penalties ranging from civil fines up to $100 for minor violations to felony charges with imprisonment up to 5 years and fines up to $1,000,000 for intentional introductions of prohibited species designed to damage natural resources or human health.

• Exempts activities authorized under the Michigan Aquaculture Development Act and clarifies that persons are not liable for organisms naturally present on their property unless knowingly introduced.