0278: SENATE-PASSED (6-15-05) - FY 2005-06 NATURAL RESOURCES BUDGET

FY 2005-06 NATURAL RESOURCES BUDGET S.B. 278 (S-1): SENATE-PASSED

Senate Bill 278 (S-1 as passed by the Senate)
Committee: Appropriations

FY 2004-05 Year-to-Date Gross Appropriation	$267,546,100
Changes from FY 2004-05 Year-to-Date:
1. General Law Enforcement Reduction. The Governor's budget recommendation reduces the appropriation for conservation officers and other law enforcement activities by $1,000,000 GF/GP. The net change reflects a reduction of $1,600,000 GF/GP and the appropriation of $300,000 from each of the Snowmobile Registration Fee Fund and the ORV Trail Improvement Fund. The Senate reduces the General Fund and does not include the increase from the Snowmobile Registration Fee Fund.	(1,300,000)
2. Snowmobile Law Enforcement Grant Reductions. In order to make the additional Snowmobile Registration Fee revenue available for general law enforcement expenses, the Governor would reduce the appropriation for grants to local law enforcement agencies. The Senate restores the current funding level for the grants.	0
3. ORV Grant Funding. To maintain the current statutory formula for distribution of the ORV Trail Improvement Fund and support the additional money for law enforcement, the Senate increases the appropriation for ORV trail development, restoration, and law enforcement grants.	982,900
4. Captive Cervidae Licensing and Inspection Fees. The Governor recommends a fee increase of $251,000 for the licensing and inspection of captive cervidae facilities. The fee would offset a General Fund reduction of $129,100 and also enhance the program. Additional fee revenue would be included in the Department of Agriculture budget. The Senate does not include the new fee revenue and restores the General Fund dollars.	0
5. Kalamazoo River Dam Removal. The Senate adds funding from the Game and Fish Protection Fund for the removal of 3 dams on the Kalamazoo River.	250,000
6. Purchased Land General Fund Reductions. To meet reduced revenue estimates, the Senate removes General Fund from purchased land payments in lieu of taxes. The remaining appropriation would be distributed on a pro rata basis.	(699,400)
7. General Fund Reductions. The budget reduces General Fund appropriations for a number of activities, including aerial digital imagery, mapping services, state fair and outdoor shows, fire outreach and assistance, and information technology.	(398,200)
8. Economic Adjustments. The budget includes economic adjustments for salaries and wages, insurance, retirement, worker's compensations, building occupancy charges, and rent. The proposed budget also restores amounts for concessions from FY 2004-05.	10,477,600
9. Other Changes. The budget includes adjustments to restricted and Federal funds to reflect actual revenue available, statutory provisions for payments in lieu of taxes, and the removal of one-time items for FY 2004-05.	(4,318,200)
10. Comparison to Governor's Recommendation. The Senate has a difference of $41,700 Gross and ($592,400) GF/GP from the Governor's recommendation.
Total Changes	$4,994,700
FY 2005-06 Senate Gross Appropriation	$272,540,800

FY 2005-06 NATURAL RESOURCES BUDGET BOILERPLATE HIGHLIGHTS

Changes from FY 2004-05 Year to Date:

1. Sections Removed. The Governor and Senate remove sections related to a privatization project plan, quarterly travel reports, bovine TB expenditures, water trails, a boating access pilot project, forest certification, rural fire protection grants, Federal conservation grants, and a watercraft noise study.

2. Sections Retained. The Governor removes and the Senate retains sections related to a grant and loan catalog, activities of the MI State Waterways Commission, a report on habitat improvement and treatment projects, quarterly land transactions, construction in State parks, retention of reports, Game and Fish Protection Fund appropriations, an administrative cost plan, fish advisory information, wolf and coyote indemnification payments, a prohibition to impede water control structures, defibrillators in State parks, misuse of free day passes, Porcupine Mountains State Park operations, adopt-a-forest program, timber marking targets, staff for timber marking, and snowmobile law enforcement grants.

3. Restricted Funds Report. The Governor revises the due date for this report from February 15 to 14 days after introduction of the executive budget recommendation. The Senate concurs. (Sec. 209)

4. Deprived and Depressed. The Governor includes language directing the Department to ensure companies in deprived and depressed communities compete for State contracts. The Senate does not include the section.

5. Contingency Funds. The Governor includes authorization for contingency fund appropriations of $3.0 million Federal, $5.0 million restricted, $100,000 local, and $500,000 private. The Senate does not include the section.

6. Prohibit Disciplinary Action. The Senate adds a section prohibiting the Department from taking disciplinary action against an employee for communicating with the Legislature. (Sec. 220)

7. Bobcat Study. The Senate adds a section requiring the Department to complete a report on the bobcat population in the Lower Peninsula and urges a prohibition on bobcat trapping until the report in submitted. (Sec.502)

8. Kalamazoo River Dam Removal. The Senate directs $250,000 to the preparation and removal of the Otsego, Plainwell and Trowbridge dams on the Kalamazoo River. States that the funding does not preclude the pursuance of cost recovery from responsible parties. (Sec. 603)

9. State Park Sponsorship. The Senate requires the Department to make recommendations for corporate sponsorship in selected areas of State parks, consulting with the State Park Advisory Committee. (Sec. 705)

10. Cooperative Resource Programs. The Governor removes the October 15 due date for an interdepartmental grant of $1.0 million to the Department of Agriculture for a management initiative program with private foresters. The Senate retains the fund transfer date. (Sec. 803)

11. Gaylord-Cheboygan Snowmobile Trail. The Senate adds a section directing the Department to develop a motorized snowmobile trail connecting these cities. (Sec. 806)

12. ORV Trail Development. The Senate requires the Department to submit a plan to increase the mileage of ORV trails by 25% over 4 years. Directs the Department to spend an equivalent percentage in all categories according to the statutory formula for distribution of the ORV Trail Improvement Fund. (Sec. 807)

Date Completed: 6-15-05 Fiscal Analyst: Jessica Runnels Bill Analysis @ http://www.senate.michigan.gov/sfa June 16, 2005 This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations. HIdnr_sp