STATE PARK ENTRY; FREE FISHING DAYS                                               H.B. 4983 (S-1):

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                      REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

House Bill 4983 (Substitute S-1 as reported)

Sponsor:  Representative Bruce R. Rendon

House Committee:  Tourism and Outdoor Recreation

Senate Committee:  Outdoor Recreation and Tourism

CONTENT

The bill would amend Part 741 (State Parks System) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to allow a person, without a motor vehicle permit or a recreation passport, to enter a State-operated public boating access site or a State park where there is an opportunity to fish on a day that the Department of Natural Resources has designated as a free winter fishing day or a free fishing day.

The Act generally prohibits the operator of a nonresident motor vehicle or commercial motor vehicle from entering a State park unless a valid motor vehicle park permit is affixed to the windshield. The operator of a resident motor vehicle may not enter a State park unless the vehicle has a registration tab or sticker marked to show that a recreation passport fee has been paid. A person is exempt from these restrictions under the following circumstances: a) while the motor vehicle is being driven or parked on an established highway within a State park; b) the vehicle is an emergency vehicle, law enforcement vehicle, is State-owned, or is a private vehicle being operated on official State business; c) the vehicle is registered by certain armed forces veterans or a Congressional Medal of Honor awardee; or d) the DNR otherwise waives the requirements. The bill would add another exception for free fishing days.

The bill would take effect 90 days after its enactment.

MCL 324.74116                                                                Legislative Analyst:  Jeff Mann

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have a very minor, but negative, fiscal impact on the Department of Natural Resources and local units of government. Under the bill, people entering State parks that have fishing opportunities, or State-operated boating access sites, during free fishing weekends would be exempt from the requirement to have or obtain a recreation passport or motor vehicle permit. The amount of revenue that would be lost during these weekends under the bill is expected to be negligible.

Revenue from recreation passports and motor vehicle permits supports the operation and maintenance of State parks and recreation areas, and also provides support for grants to local units of government for recreation facility purposes. In total, about $29.4 million was generated from these sources in fiscal year 2014-15.

Date Completed:  12-11-15                                                    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.