CONSERVATION & REC. LEGACY FUND H.J.R. Z (S-2): FLOOR ANALYSIS
House Joint Resolution Z (Substitute S-2 as reported)
Sponsor: Representative Randy Richardville
House Committee: Conservation and Outdoor Recreation
Senate Committee: Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act
CONTENT
The joint resolution would amend Article IX of the State Constitution to do the following:
-- Create the "Michigan Conservation and Recreation Legacy Fund".
-- Require the State Treasurer to establish within the Legacy Fund specific restricted accounts, and allow the Treasurer to establish additional subaccounts as authorized by law.
-- Require money in the accounts to be spent only for specific purposes.
-- Establish the Michigan Game and Fish Protection Trust Fund and the Michigan Nongame Fish and Wildlife Trust Fund within the Constitution.
The joint resolution would create the Forest Recreation Account, the Game and Fish Protection Account, the Off-Road Vehicle Account, the Recreation Improvement Account, the Snowmobile Account, the State Park Improvement Account, and the Waterways Account. (Under House Bill 5870, which is tie-barred to the joint resolution, these accounts would replace existing funds under the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act. The bill also would re-establish the existing Game and Fish Protection Trust Fund and the Nongame Fish and Wildlife Trust Fund as the Trust Funds proposed by the joint resolution.)
The purposes for which the accounts could be used would parallel those identified by statute for the existing funds. The accounts also could be used for grants to State colleges and universities to implement programs funded by the particular accounts.
The joint resolution would have to be submitted to the people of the State at the 2006 general election. The Legislature would have to provide by law for the implementation of the constitutional amendment.
Legislative Analyst: Suzanne Lowe
FISCAL IMPACT
The joint resolution would have no direct fiscal impact on State or local government. No license or permit fees would be changed. For the past few years of declining State revenue, restricted funds sources have been used in place of General Fund dollars. These uses have included the appropriation of fund balances to the General Fund. Establishing the funds and accounts in the State Constitution would limit the expanding uses of the revenue.
Date Completed: 12-3-04 Fiscal Analyst: Jessica Runnels
floor\hbZ 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.
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. hjrz/0304