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License Fee Hikes Appear Doomed as Michigan Lawmakers Push Bac
Michigan sportmen can breathe a sigh of relief. Despite Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s push for dramatic hunting and fishing license fee increases, strong opposition from Republican lawmakers suggests the proposed hikes are unlikely to become a reality when scheduled to take effect in October 2025.
The proposed increases would have been substantial. Combination hunting and fishing licenses would jump from $76 to $115 for residents, a 51% increase. All-species fishing licenses would rise from $26 to $40, while senior fishing licenses would nearly triple from $11 to $30. Base hunting licenses would increase from $11 to $17.
These fee hikes would generate an additional $22 million for the Department of Natural Resources, representing the first increase since 2014. However, political reality in Lansing suggests outdoor enthusiasts won’t face these higher costs anytime soon.
The primary obstacle is State Representative Ken Borton (R-Gaylord), who chairs the House appropriations subcommittee controlling the DNR budget. Borton has issued an ultimatum that effectively kills the fee increases.
“I don’t know how much clearer I can make myself; if DNR leadership continues this ridiculous crusade to hike fees across the board, an action that does nothing but punish those who love the outdoors, we are going to zero out their budget,” Borton declared. “This is not a threat. This will be their reality if the DNR does not commit to working with us to protect access to the outdoors.”
Without Borton’s approval, no fee increases can move forward, regardless of Whitmer’s proposals. House Republicans have labeled the DNR budget “the most unserious, disappointing, and embarrassing” they’ve seen in years.
In Lansing, Rep. Ken Borton leads the charge to protect outdoor enthusiasts from steep license fee hikes. Photo: gophouse.org
Multiple competing proposals suggest lawmakers can’t agree on a path forward. Whitmer’s executive budget represents one approach, while Senate Bills 276 and 277 offer different fee structures. A previous House Bill 6229 failed entirely in late 2024.
When legislators can’t reach a consensus, nothing typically happens. The Michigan House has yet to vote on the fiscal year 2025-2026 Natural Resources budget, and with Borton’s firm opposition, prospects appear dim.
The timing couldn’t be worse politically. With inflation continuing to impact family budgets, asking sportsmen to absorb 30-50% fee increases would be tone-deaf.
Families are already stretched thin by rising costs for groceries, gasoline, and housing. License sales have been declining since 1996, dropping from $65.6 million in fiscal year 2020 to $63.7 million in 2024. Dramatic fee increases could accelerate that decline.
Over 250 licenses were distributed for the 2024 Michigan elk hunting season across both periods, with hunters successfully harvesting 180 elk. Featured here is Alex Mshar from Lewiston, one of the successful hunters. Photo:MDNR
Despite DNR claims of budget pressures, hunters and anglers already shoulder 85% of the agency’s budget through license fees and federal excise taxes, while only 15% comes from state taxes. Multiple former DNR officials have reportedly contacted lawmakers to identify wasteful spending within the department.
With a Republican-controlled House firmly opposed and a key committee chairman threatening budget consequences, Whitmer’s dramatic license fee increases appear dead on arrival.
The post License Fee Hikes Appear Doomed as Michigan Lawmakers Push Bac appeared first on OutdoorHub.
Continue reading...
License Fee Hikes Appear Doomed as Michigan Lawmakers Push Bac
Michigan sportmen can breathe a sigh of relief. Despite Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s push for dramatic hunting and fishing license fee increases, strong opposition from Republican lawmakers suggests the proposed hikes are unlikely to become a reality when scheduled to take effect in October 2025.
The proposed increases would have been substantial. Combination hunting and fishing licenses would jump from $76 to $115 for residents, a 51% increase. All-species fishing licenses would rise from $26 to $40, while senior fishing licenses would nearly triple from $11 to $30. Base hunting licenses would increase from $11 to $17.
These fee hikes would generate an additional $22 million for the Department of Natural Resources, representing the first increase since 2014. However, political reality in Lansing suggests outdoor enthusiasts won’t face these higher costs anytime soon.
The primary obstacle is State Representative Ken Borton (R-Gaylord), who chairs the House appropriations subcommittee controlling the DNR budget. Borton has issued an ultimatum that effectively kills the fee increases.
“I don’t know how much clearer I can make myself; if DNR leadership continues this ridiculous crusade to hike fees across the board, an action that does nothing but punish those who love the outdoors, we are going to zero out their budget,” Borton declared. “This is not a threat. This will be their reality if the DNR does not commit to working with us to protect access to the outdoors.”
Without Borton’s approval, no fee increases can move forward, regardless of Whitmer’s proposals. House Republicans have labeled the DNR budget “the most unserious, disappointing, and embarrassing” they’ve seen in years.
In Lansing, Rep. Ken Borton leads the charge to protect outdoor enthusiasts from steep license fee hikes. Photo: gophouse.org
Multiple competing proposals suggest lawmakers can’t agree on a path forward. Whitmer’s executive budget represents one approach, while Senate Bills 276 and 277 offer different fee structures. A previous House Bill 6229 failed entirely in late 2024.
When legislators can’t reach a consensus, nothing typically happens. The Michigan House has yet to vote on the fiscal year 2025-2026 Natural Resources budget, and with Borton’s firm opposition, prospects appear dim.
The timing couldn’t be worse politically. With inflation continuing to impact family budgets, asking sportsmen to absorb 30-50% fee increases would be tone-deaf.
Families are already stretched thin by rising costs for groceries, gasoline, and housing. License sales have been declining since 1996, dropping from $65.6 million in fiscal year 2020 to $63.7 million in 2024. Dramatic fee increases could accelerate that decline.
Over 250 licenses were distributed for the 2024 Michigan elk hunting season across both periods, with hunters successfully harvesting 180 elk. Featured here is Alex Mshar from Lewiston, one of the successful hunters. Photo:MDNR
Despite DNR claims of budget pressures, hunters and anglers already shoulder 85% of the agency’s budget through license fees and federal excise taxes, while only 15% comes from state taxes. Multiple former DNR officials have reportedly contacted lawmakers to identify wasteful spending within the department.
With a Republican-controlled House firmly opposed and a key committee chairman threatening budget consequences, Whitmer’s dramatic license fee increases appear dead on arrival.
The post License Fee Hikes Appear Doomed as Michigan Lawmakers Push Bac appeared first on OutdoorHub.
Continue reading...