LANSING – The Michigan House of Representatives gave final approval on Wednesday to a bill that would continue to allow wolf hunting in the Upper Peninsula.

The vote was 65-to-43. It followed a plea from State Rep. Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan) on the House floor.

“Detroit needed our help, other parts of this state needed our help and there weren’t enough members in this body from those areas to do it without the rest of us. We need your help. Our entire peninsula is being affected and people’s way of llife are being altered in a way that is adverse to our whole culture. We need your help,” McBroom said.

The Scientific Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act would continue to put decisions on game species including wolves in the hands of the Michigan Natural Resources Commission.

The bill renders two ballot proposals moot that would let voters decide on wolf hunting. Critics say lawmakers were not considering their desire to have the issue on the November ballot.

But McBroom countered that they were responding to those who signed the petition to keep wolf hunting in Michigan.

“Today, the folks who ran the initiative, who I support, won the day. And, it’s a great day for the folks of the Upper Peninsula who’ve been asking, again and again, for this legislature to please help us deal with these wolves in a sound scientific way,” McBroom said.

The bill is immune from rejection by referendum since it includes a small appropriation to help fight Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes. The Michigan Constitution prohibits ballot proposals that change appropriations bills.

The new law does not need Gov. Snyder’s signature because it is a citizen initiative. It will take effect 90-days after the legislature adjourns for the year.