PUBLIC BOATING ACCESS SITE - H.B. 4363 (H-6): FLOOR ANALYSIS

House Bill 4363 (Substitute H-6 as reported without amendment)

Sponsor: Representative Penny Crissman

House Committee: Conservation, Environment and Recreation

Senate Committee: Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs

CONTENT

The bill would amend Part 781 (Michigan State Waterways Commission) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to require the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to establish a public boating access site advisory committee; require the DNR to obtain a 90-day option on land proposed for acquisition for a boating site; and establish a public boating access sites grant program to provide funding to local units with money from the Michigan State Waterways Fund. The DNR could promulgate rules to implement Part 781.

MCL 324.78101 et al. - Legislative Analyst: N. Nagata

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have an indeterminate fiscal impact on State government.

The new advisory committee created in the bill could increase administrative costs within the DNR, although the increase is not expected to be significant. In addition, the new local grant program created in the bill, supported by State Waterways Fund money, could have the effect of reducing the amount of State Waterways Fund money available for other projects supported by the Fund. As a point of information, over the last three years, $24 million has been spent from the Fund for public access sites. As of the end of FY 1996-97, the balance of the Fund was $4.4 million. However, at the end of FY 1997-98, the balance is anticipated to be $800,000, due to an increase in expenditures in the current year.

Date Completed: 5-21-98 - Fiscal Analyst: M. Hansen

G. Cutler

floor\hb4363 - Analysis available @ http://www.michiganlegislature.org

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.