Bill > HB4073

This bill amends the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to modify the legal powers of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officers when investigating potential violations of environmental and wildlife laws. The bill clarifies and expands the department's legal authority, allowing DNR officers to file complaints, appear in court, prosecute cases, and sign vouchers for jurors and witnesses in legal proceedings related to environmental and wildlife statutes, without requiring prior approval from a county prosecutor. Importantly, the bill introduces a new provision that explicitly states the open fields doctrine (which typically allows warrantless searches on unoccupied private land) does not apply to searches conducted by DNR officers. The bill also outlines procedures for seizure of property related to potential law violations, specifying that seized items like wildlife, fishing equipment, or other property will be held by the department pending court order. The legislation removes previous language about warrantless searches and replaces it with more structured guidelines for departmental enforcement actions, aiming to provide clearer legal framework for DNR officers' investigative and prosecutorial powers.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Justice

https://legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2025-HB-4073