OFF-ROAD VEHICLE FEES

Senate Bill 552 as reported from committee

Sponsor:  Sen. Goeff Hansen

House Committee:  Tourism and Outdoor Recreation

Senate Committee:  Outdoor Recreation and Tourism

Complete to 11-1-17

                                                                                               (Enacted as Public Act 199 of 2017)

SUMMARY:

Senate Bill 552 would amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA) to extend provision of two fees related to off-road vehicles (ORVs).

The bill would do the following:

·         Extend to October 1, 2024 the requirement for the Secretary of State to credit fees from an ORV registration and title lookup service to the Transportation Administration Collection Fund. [Currently, this allocation will end October 1, 2019.]

·         Extend to April 1, 2024 the expiration of license fees for the operation of an ORV. [Currently, these fees are set to expire on April 1, 2019.]

The bill would take effect 90 days after being enacted into law.

MCL 324.81114 and 324.81116

BRIEF BACKGROUND:

Currently under the act, there is a $36.25 annual fee for a license that authorizes operation of an ORV on state ORV trails, and a $26.25 fee for a license that does not authorize operation on these trails.

FISCAL IMPACT:

After October 1, 2019, Senate Bill 552 would prevent a minimal decrease in revenue to the Transportation Administration Collection Fund, which is the main fund source for the Department of State (DOS) and supports various departmental operations. The record lookup service charge is $11. DOS estimates that there are very few look-up requests related to ORV records. If the sunset is not extended, lookup service fee revenue will be deposited in the General Fund.

SB 552 would increase future revenue for the Department of Natural Resources by extending the sunset on ORV license fees from April 2019 to April 2024.  These fees generated an estimated $8.2 million in FY 2016-17 for the ORV Trail Improvement Fund and the ORV Safety Education Fund.  These funds primarily support DNR’s ORV grant programs; they also support appropriations for parks and recreation, law enforcement, and departmental administration.  The bill is unlikely to affect departmental costs as the ORV license fee collection process is already in place and would be extended.  Local units of government are not likely to realize a fiscal impact under the bill.

POSITIONS:

A representative of the Department of Natural Resources testified in support of the bill. (10-18-17)

The American Motorcyclist Association supports the bill. (10-18-17)

                                                                                       Legislative Analysts:   Patrick Morris

                                                                                                                           Rick Yuille

                                                                                               Fiscal Analysts:   Austin Scott

                                                                                                                           Michael Cnossen

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.