HB 5558 Summary

• Requires commercial hunting guides in Michigan to obtain a license from the Department of Natural Resources effective March 1, 2020, in addition to holding a valid base license.

• Applicants must have valid first aid and CPR certification, a valid Michigan ID or driver's license, and cannot have felony convictions or specified hunting/wildlife violations within the past 3 years.

• Licenses are valid for 3 years and require annual reporting on counties worked, game species, number of clients, and animals harvested; the department must post aggregate statistics on its website.

• Prohibits commercial hunting guides from operating on commercial forestland and establishes civil fines of up to $500 for first violations and up to $1,000 for subsequent violations of licensing requirements.

• Sets application fees at $150 for residents and $300 for nonresidents, with fees deposited in the game and fish protection account; requires enactment of HB 5559 and HB 5560 to take effect.