DNR LAND ACQUISITION SUMMARY OF BILL
REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE
House Bill 4475 (Substitute H-5 as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Representative Gary Howell
House Committee: Natural Resources
Senate Committee: Natural Resources
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA) to do the following:
-- Legislatively approve the strategic plan for the acquisition and disposition of State-owned land issued by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in July 2013.
-- Require the DNR to consider access to and use of public land and the existence of natural resources-based industries on the land, before issuing an order or promulgating a rule that would designate or classify land.
-- Prohibit the DNR from acquiring land if the State did not make its full required payments in lieu of taxes (PILT) to local governments
-- Require the strategic plan to identify trail connectors to enhance outdoor recreation activities.
-- Require the DNR annually to submit to the relevant legislative committees and post and annually update on the Department's website information about the strategic plan.
-- Require the DNR to update the plan every six years beginning in 2020 and require legislative approval of future updates.
-- Require the DNR to notify the relevant legislative committees, post notification on its website, and publish notification in a newspaper before disposing of, acquiring, leasing, or developing certain land.
The bill is tie-barred the Senate Bills 302 and 303. (Senate Bill 302 also would amend NREPA regarding land acquisition. Senate Bill 303 would amend NREPA regarding use of the Land Exchange Facilitation Fund.)
MCL 324.301 et al. Legislative Analyst: Nathan Leaman
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Date Completed: 6-4-18 Fiscal Analyst: Josh Sefton
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.