MEMORIAL RECOGNITION PROGRAM S.B. 1061:
SUMMARY OF INTRODUCED BILL
IN COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 1061 (as introduced 6-12-18)
Sponsor: Senator Tonya Schuitmaker
Committee: Outdoor Recreation and Tourism
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to do the following:
-- Require the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to administer a memorial program to allow a family choosing cremation a method to make a State park the deceaseds' final resting place.
-- Allow the DNR to enter into agreements with partner organizations to implement the memorial program.
Specifically, the bill would require the DNR to administer a memorial program to allow families choosing cremation a method to honor the deceased's desire for their final resting place to be in the State park that meant the most to them in life, while also giving back to the park through volunteerism or financial contribution.
The DNR could enter into agreements with partner organizations to implement the program. Agreements with partner organizations would have to include all of the following:
-- Identification and recognition of the designated memorial space within the State park and the method of dispersing ashes.
-- Requirements for the treatment of cremated remains to prevent a negative resource impact.
-- Event permitting to accommodate the interests of memorial program participants.
-- For individuals volunteering in association with the program, the scope of work and responsibilities and expectations of all parties.
-- For individuals making a financial contribution in association with the memorial program, how the individuals wished to direct their support, such as for trail maintenance, playgrounds and accessible recreation, green initiatives, invasive species prevention, tree replacement, or for general support of a specific State park.
-- Compliance with any rules related to the program that were promulgated by the Department.
The bill would take effect 90 days after its enactment.
Proposed MCL 324.74127 Legislative Analyst: Tyler VanHuyse
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have an indeterminate fiscal impact on the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and no fiscal impact on local units of government. The DNR would incur some additional, albeit likely minor, costs in administering this program. Some or all of these costs
would be offset by the potential for private memorial gifts that, while unlikely to be allowed for those administrative costs directly, could be used to free up other resources to cover those costs. Memorial gifts also could exceed those costs, in which case, the bill would result in a positive fiscal impact on the DNR.
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.