WAYNE COUNTY CONVEYANCE

House Bill 5243

Sponsor:  Rep. John Stewart

Committee:  Regulatory Reform

Complete to 11-7-05

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5243 AS INTRODUCED 9-29-05

The bill would convey about an acre of land to Plymouth Township.  The property is adjacent to the former Western Wayne Correctional Facility, a prison that housed women inmates before being closed a year ago.  Plans for the property include the erection of an above-ground water storage tower.  The specifics of the bill follow:

The bill would authorize the state to convey for $1 to Plymouth Township in Wayne County property currently under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections.  The conveyance would be by quitclaim deed approved by the Attorney General and revenue received would be deposited in the state treasury and credited to the general fund.  The description of the parcel is approximate and subject to adjustments as considered necessary.  In addition, the conveyance would include all surplus, salvage, and scrap property or equipment. 

The property would have to be used only for public purposes, including, but not limited to, the construction of a water tower.  Any fee imposed on the public to use the land would have to be the same for residents and non-residents.  The state could reenter and repossess the property if used for any other activities.  If the state's right of reentry is disputed, the Attorney General could bring an action to quiet title to, and regain possession of, the property.  The state would not be liable to reimburse any party for any improvements made on the property prior to reentry. 

The state would reserve all aboriginal antiquities, including mounds, earthworks, forts, burial and village sites, mines, or other relics lying on, within, or under the property and could allow others to enter the property for purposes relating to exploring, excavating, and taking away the aboriginal antiquities.

The state could not reserve oil, gas, or mineral rights to the property.  However, if oil, gas, or minerals were developed, the state would have to be paid one half of the gross revenue the development generated, to be deposited in the general fund.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would have a negligible fiscal impact on the state and local units of government.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Susan Stutzky

                                                                                                   Fiscal Analyst:   Al Valenzio

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