Michigan
The legislature is starting to settle in, with more animal-related bills being introduced and committee hearings being scheduled on those bills. Just yesterday, April 16, HB 4455, a bill that would designate the shelter pet as the state’s official pet was introduced by Rep. Padma Kuppa with 9 co-sponsors. AFA supported a similar measure last session.
Unfortunately, we saw two animal-unfriendly resolutions introduced, encouraging the hunting of sandhill cranes. SR 0030 and HR 0061 are resolutions (to express the will of the House or Senate, used to urge state agencies or the US Congress to take certain actions; unlike bills, they are complete upon a vote in the chamber where introduced and do not go to the other chamber or to the governor).
Scroll down for the updated Tracker; and here’s a link to the searchable version.
“… a 2017 USDA report concludes that documentation ‘is lacking, however, to determine whether hunting or other lethal means of removing sandhill cranes reduces crop damage.'”
Sandhill cranes are migratory birds who were nearly wiped out in Michigan in the mid-20th century and are beginning to stabilize but remain vulnerable. Proponents claim they destroy crops, but a 2017 USDA report concludes that documentation “is lacking, however, to determine whether hunting or other lethal means of removing sandhill cranes reduces crop damage” (page 7). Rather, we believe pressure from pro-hunting groups is driving these resolutions, and that they ignore the interest of birdwatchers and other non-consumptive users who enjoy watching these birds and flock to events such as the annual CraneFest, now in its 25th year.
There also seems to be what we are calling a “Feeding (Wildlife) Frenzy”, with competing House and Senate bills (SB 0037, HB 4439) that basically take aim at the recent decision of the Natural Resources Commission, in an effort to slow down the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease, to ban deer and elk feeding in the Lower Peninsula. The Senate bill is more draconian as it would essentially give individuals authority to feed and bait with little guidance. The House bill is more carefully drafted. The Senate Natural Resources Committee considered SB 0037 at its April 10 meeting, but took no action. AFA submitted testimony in opposition to SB 0037; our position was based on a review of the steps taken by the NRC in imposing the ban, and agreement with its conclusions that the step was necessary and based on science.
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“Stay tuned for updates on SB 174, as a coalition is forming to challenge the unwarranted attack on animal welfare in Michigan.”
Federal
A variety of animal-friendly bills continue to be introduced in Congress. The Conserving Ecosystems by Ceasing the Importation of Large (CECIL) Animal Trophies Act was introduced last week. It would restrict the importation of sport-hunted species proposed for listing under ESA, tighten requirements that hunting be done for conservation and enhance transparency of the permitting process. It was introduced by Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), who is chair of the House Natural Resources Committee, where the bill has been referred.
