Stare oF Micnican
GRETCHEN WHITMER OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR GARLIN GILCHRIST Ih
‘GOVERNOR Saas 1. GOVERNOR
October 14, 2022
Michigan House of Representatives
State Capitol Building
Lansing, MI 48909-7514
Representatives,
After hearing from hundreds of avid deer hunters and conservation groups, I am returning
Enrolled Houso Bill 6364 to you without my signature.
‘As introduced, HB 6364 would have decriminalized failure to report a deer harvest by
reducing penalties from a misdemeanor and possible jail timo to a civil infraction. My
administration supported this bill and called for its passage.
As enrolled, the bill does not mirror its original intent. The bill was amended to limit the
ability of the Department of Natural Resources and the Natural Resources Commission
ability to collect timely, high-quality information on decr harvests, hindoring tho stato's
ability to acientifically manage our deer population and reducing opportunities for the
public and Michigan's hunters to participate in decisions around wildlife managemont.
[look forward to continued. conversations on how we can decriminalize the failure to report
decr harvests—something only the legislature can do.
Respectfully,
Governor
GEORGE W. ROMNEY BUILDING + 111 SOUTH CAPITOL AVENUE + LANSING, MICHIGAN 48908
‘yorermichigan.gov
PRINTED IN-HOUSE