SPECIAL WATERCRAFT RULES H.B. 5125 (S-2): FLOOR ANALYSIS
House Bill 5125 (Substitute S-2 as reported)
Sponsor: Representative Goeff Hansen
House Committee: Natural Resources, Great Lakes, Land Use, and Environment
Senate Committee: Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs
CONTENT
The bill would amend Part 801 (Marine Safety) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to do the following:
-- Require the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to initiate an investigation and inquiry into whether special watercraft rules were needed on a particular body of water, after receiving a political subdivision's resolution requesting assistance.
-- Prescribe specific factors that the DNR would have to consider in its investigation and inquiry.
-- Require the DNR to prepare a preliminary report containing its recommendations on the need for special rules and schedule a public hearing on the report.
-- Require the DNR to propose a local ordinance or changes to an ordinance if it determined, after the hearing, that special rules were needed.
-- Require the DNR to notify the political subdivision of the Department's reasons for determining that special rules were not needed.
-- Allow a political subdivision to appeal a determination by the DNR that special rules were not needed to the Natural Resources Commission.
Part 801 authorizes the DNR to initiate investigations and inquiries into the need for special rules for the use of vessels, water skis, water sleds, aqua planes, surfboards, or similar devices on any waters of the State. Under the bill, the DNR could do so to assure compatibility of uses and to protect public safety.
The bill would repeal Section 80110 (which contains these provisions) three years after the bill's effective date.
MCL 324.80110 et al. Legislative Analyst: Julie Koval
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Date Completed: 5-31-06 Fiscal Analyst: Jessica Runnels
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. hb5125/0506