HOUSE BILL No. 6124

 

 

June 7, 2018, Introduced by Rep. Victory and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources.

 

     A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled

 

"Natural resources and environmental protection act,"

 

by amending sections 2001, 72302, 74101, 74116, 74117, 74120,

 

74122, 78101, 78105, and 83106 (MCL 324.2001, 324.72302, 324.74101,

 

324.74116, 324.74117, 324.74120, 324.74122, 324.78101, 324.78105,

 

and 324.83106), section 2001 as amended by 2010 PA 32, section

 

72302 as added by 1995 PA 58, sections 74101 and 74122 as amended

 

by 2010 PA 33, section 74116 as amended by 2016 PA 1, sections

 

74117, 74120, and 78105 as amended by 2013 PA 81, section 78101 as

 

amended by 2010 PA 302, and section 83106 as amended by 2010 PA 34;

 

and to repeal acts and parts of acts.

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

 


     Sec. 2001. As used in this part:

 

     (a) "Forest recreation account" means the forest recreation

 

account of the legacy fund provided for in section 2005.

 

     (b) "Game and fish protection account" means the game and fish

 

protection account of the legacy fund provided for in section 2010.

 

     (c) "Legacy fund" means the Michigan conservation and

 

recreation legacy fund established in section 40 of article IX of

 

the state constitution of 1963 and provided for in section 2002.

 

     (d) "Off-road vehicle account" means the off-road vehicle

 

account of the legacy fund provided for in section 2015.

 

     (e) "Recreation improvement account" means the recreation

 

improvement account of the legacy fund provided for in section

 

2020.

 

     (f) "Recreation passport fee" means a state park and state-

 

operated public boating access site recreation passport fee paid

 

under section 805 of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL

 

257.805, or under rules promulgated under section 74120(2).that

 

term as defined in section 74101.

 

     (g) "Snowmobile account" means the snowmobile account of the

 

legacy fund provided for in section 2025.

 

     (h) "State park improvement account" means the state park

 

improvement account of the legacy fund provided for in section

 

2030.

 

     (i) "Waterways account" means the waterways account of the

 

legacy fund provided for in section 2035.

 

     Sec. 72302. (1) Within Subject to legislative appropriations,

 

the department shall make a survey and prepare a master plan for a


state system of trails with campsites and necessary facilities that

 

takes into account points of historical interest and scenic beauty.

 

Revisions of the plan may be made from time to time. On those parts

 

of the trail that are not public roads, the department may prohibit

 

motor equipment. The department may provide, develop, and maintain

 

a system of trails with campsites and necessary facilities for the

 

use of the public, within the appropriations made for those

 

purposes by the legislature.

 

     (2) The operator of a motor vehicle shall not enter a state

 

trailhead designated by the director as requiring a recreation

 

passport, except in compliance with the recreation passport

 

requirements of part 741.

 

     (3) As used in this section, "state trailhead" means a state-

 

operated parking lot and any associated facilities that provide

 

motor vehicle parking access to a designated trail, route, or

 

pathway.

 

     Sec. 74101. As used in this part:

 

     (a) "Commercial motor vehicle" means a commercial vehicle as

 

defined in section 7 of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL

 

257.7.

 

     (b) "Improvement program" means the construction,

 

reconstruction, development, improvement, bettering, operating,

 

maintaining, and extending a facility at a state park, including a

 

site improvement, impoundment, road and parking lot, toilet

 

building, concession building, shelter building, bathhouse,

 

utility, outdoor center, visitor service facility, ski area, ski

 

tow, ski shelter, and administration unit.


     (c) "Motor vehicle" means a vehicle that is self-propelled.

 

     (d) "Nonresident commercial motor vehicle" means a commercial

 

motor vehicle that is not registered as a motor vehicle in this

 

state.

 

     (e) (d) "Nonresident motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle,

 

other than a commercial motor vehicle, that is not registered as a

 

motor vehicle in this state.

 

     (f) "Recreation passport" means any of the following, as

 

applicable, that authorize entry into a recreational fee area:

 

     (i) A distinctively marked registration tab or sticker, or

 

alternative method to indicate that a recreation passport fee has

 

been paid, issued under section 805 of the Michigan vehicle code,

 

1949 PA 300, MCL 257.805.

 

     (ii) A recreation passport issued under section 74117 or

 

74120.

 

     (g) (e) "Recreation passport fee" means that term as defined

 

in section 2001.a fee paid for a recreation passport under section

 

805 of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.805, or

 

section 74117 or 74120, or under orders issued or rules promulgated

 

under these provisions of law.

 

     (h) "Recreational fee area" means any of the following:

 

     (i) A state park.

 

     (ii) A state-operated public boating access site designated

 

under section 78105(2).

 

     (iii) A state trailhead designated under section 72302(2).

 

     (iv) A state forest campground designated under section

 

83106(4).


     (i) (f) "Resident motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle, other

 

than a commercial motor vehicle, that is registered as a motor

 

vehicle in this state.

 

     (j) (g) "State park" means a state park or state recreation

 

area designated by the director.

 

     (k) (h) "State park improvement account" means the state park

 

improvement account of the Michigan conservation and recreation

 

legacy fund provided for in section 2030.

 

     (l) (i) "State park revenues" means all revenues collected for

 

state parks, including but not limited to, revenue from recreation

 

passport fees, motor vehicle permits, concession fees, nonmotorized

 

trail permits, fees, leases, camping fees, sale of farm animals

 

from Maybury state park, donations, and gifts.

 

     Sec. 74116. (1) Subject to subsection (4), (3), the operator

 

of a nonresident motor vehicle or any commercial motor vehicle

 

shall not enter any state park recreational fee area with that

 

motor vehicle unless a valid motor vehicle park permit current

 

recreation passport issued under section 74117 is affixed to the

 

lower right-hand corner of the windshield. An annual motor vehicle

 

park permit for a nonresident motor vehicle shall be affixed

 

permanently for that year. The department shall post signs at parks

 

that state that a motor vehicle park permit is required for entry

 

by a nonresident motor vehicle or commercial motor vehicle.74117(2)

 

or (3) is displayed on the motor vehicle as provided in section

 

74117(5).

 

     (2) Subject to subsection (4), the operator of a resident

 

motor vehicle shall not enter a state park with the resident motor


vehicle unless the recreation passport fee has been paid for that

 

motor vehicle. Payment of the recreation passport fee authorizes

 

entry into all state parks and recreation areas and designated

 

state-operated public boating access sites until expiration of the

 

motor vehicle registration.

 

     (2) (3) Subject to subsection (4), if the secretary of state

 

issues registration tabs or stickers as described in section 805 of

 

the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.805, (3), the

 

operator of a resident motor vehicle shall not enter a state park

 

recreational fee area with the resident motor vehicle unless the

 

resident motor vehicle has a registration tab or sticker marked as

 

provided under that section to show that the recreation passport

 

fee has been paid.a current recreation passport issued under

 

section 805 of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.805,

 

is displayed on the motor vehicle as provided for in that section

 

or a current recreation passport issued under section 74120(2) is

 

displayed on the motor vehicle as provided in section 74117(5).

 

     (3) (4) Subsections (1) to (3) and (2) do not apply under any

 

of the following circumstances:

 

     (a) While the motor vehicle is being driven or parked within

 

on an established federal, state, or county highway within a state

 

park.recreational fee area.

 

     (b) If the motor vehicle is used in the operation or

 

maintenance of a state park, recreational fee area, is an emergency

 

motor vehicle, is a state owned motor vehicle or law enforcement

 

motor vehicle, or is a private motor vehicle being operated on

 

official state business.


     (c) If the motor vehicle is registered under section 803e(1)

 

of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.803e, and is

 

exempt under section 803e(6) of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA

 

300, MCL 257.803e, from the registration tax, or if the motor

 

vehicle is registered under section 217d or 803f of the Michigan

 

vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.217d and 257.803f.

 

     (d) At a state-operated public boating access site or a state

 

park recreational fee area where there is an opportunity to fish

 

for free on a day that the department has designated as a free

 

winter fishing day or a free fishing day under section 43534.

 

     (e) If and to the extent that the department waives the

 

requirements for department-sponsored events or other circumstances

 

as determined by the director or the director's designee.

 

     (4) The department shall post signs at recreational fee areas

 

that state that a recreation passport is required for entry by a

 

motor vehicle.

 

     Sec. 74117. (1) This subsection and subsections (2) to (9)

 

apply beginning October 1, 2010. The department shall prepare and

 

distribute park permits recreation passports, other than those

 

provided for in section 805 of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA

 

300, MCL 257.805, as necessary to implement this part.

 

     (2) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the

 

department shall issue an annual nonresident motor vehicle park

 

permit recreation passport that authorizes the entry of a

 

nonresident motor vehicle to which it is originally attached within

 

any state park recreational fee area during the calendar year for

 

which it is issued. The fee for the annual nonresident motor


vehicle park permit recreation passport for the owner of a

 

nonresident motor vehicle is $29.00. An annual park permit

 

recreation passport for a nonresident motor vehicle shall not be

 

used for a nonresident commercial motor vehicle.

 

     (3) The department shall issue a daily motor vehicle park

 

permit, valid for 1 day only, recreation passport that authorizes

 

the entry of a nonresident motor vehicle or any commercial motor

 

vehicle to which it is originally attached within any state park

 

recreational fee area only during the single day for which it is

 

issued. The fee for a daily recreation passport for a nonresident

 

motor vehicle park permit is $8.00. The fee for a daily recreation

 

passport for a commercial motor vehicle park permit is $15.00.

 

     (4) A person who has obtained an annual recreation passport

 

for a nonresident motor vehicle park permit under this section for

 

a recreational vehicle to be used as a stationary primary camping

 

shelter camped legally in and not moved from a state park

 

campground during the period of the camping stay may obtain a

 

duplicate nonresident motor vehicle park permit effective for the

 

duration of the camping stay for a towed second motor vehicle

 

present at the time of entry for a fee of $6.00.

 

     (5) A recreation passport issued under this section or section

 

74120(2) shall be displayed in the lower right-hand corner of the

 

motor vehicle windshield and, if it is an annual recreation

 

passport, shall be affixed to the windshield in the manner for

 

which it is designed.

 

     (6) (5) The department may designate persons in this state

 

authorized to sell park permits. recreation passports. The


department shall require as a condition of the designation of a

 

person other than a department employee that the person furnish a

 

surety bond in an amount and form and with a surety acceptable to

 

the department. After being designated by the department, a person

 

may issue park permits in accordance with and recreation passport

 

under this part. This subsection does not apply to employees of the

 

department of state acting under section 805 of the Michigan

 

vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.805.

 

     (7) (6) If a person's annual recreation passport for a

 

nonresident motor vehicle park permit is lost or destroyed, the

 

department shall provide that person with a replacement motor

 

vehicle park permit recreation passport free of charge. The

 

department may require a person requesting a replacement motor

 

vehicle park permit recreation passport to supply sufficient

 

evidence of the loss or destruction of the original motor vehicle

 

park permit.recreation passport.

 

     (8) (7) The department may add to the cost of a reservation or

 

a motor vehicle park permit recreation passport or to a camping fee

 

the charges that the this state incurs because of the use of a

 

credit card.

 

     (9) (8) This section and section 74116 apply only to the entry

 

of motor vehicles into state parks and do not obviate the necessity

 

of obtaining additional recreational fee areas. Additional permits

 

for special services or park privileges as may be required by law

 

statue or by rules promulgated by the department.

 

     (10) (9) For each calendar year, the state treasurer shall

 

adjust the amounts set forth in subsections (2) to (4) by an amount


determined by the state treasurer to reflect the cumulative

 

percentage change in the consumer price index Consumer Price Index

 

from October 1, 2010 to the October 1 immediately preceding that

 

calendar year, using the most recent data available and rounded to

 

the nearest dollar.

 

     Sec. 74120. (1) The department may promulgate rules to

 

implement this part.

 

     (2) The department may promulgate rules providing a method for

 

an individual whose resident motor vehicle registration expires

 

annually to pay a state park and state-operated public boating

 

access site obtain a recreation passport fee in addition to the

 

method provided for in section 805 of the Michigan vehicle code,

 

1949 PA 300, MCL 257.805. The amount of the state park and state-

 

operated public boating access site recreation passport fee

 

required to be paid under a method provided for by rule under this

 

subsection shall not exceed twice the amount of a state park and

 

state-operated public boating access site recreation passport fee

 

paid under the method provided for in section 805 of the Michigan

 

vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.805.

 

     (3) The department shall promulgate rules providing a method

 

for an individual whose motor vehicle registration does not expire

 

annually and who is exempt under sections section 74116(4)(c) and

 

78119(4)(b) from the recreation passport fee to obtain a recreation

 

passport and voluntarily pay the recreation passport fee as a

 

donation. The amount of the state park and state-operated public

 

boating access site recreation passport fee required to be paid

 

under the method provided for by rule under this subsection shall


equal the amount of a state park and state-operated public boating

 

access site recreation passport fee paid under the method provided

 

for in section 805 of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL

 

257.805.

 

     (4) A rule promulgated under this section shall provide for a

 

method evidencing payment of the state park and state-operated

 

public boating access site recreation passport fee, such as the

 

issuance and display of a permit.

 

     Sec. 74122. (1) A person who violates this part or a rule

 

promulgated under this part is guilty of a misdemeanor. This

 

subsection does not apply to violations described in subsection

 

(2).

 

     (2) A person who violates section 74116(1) , or (2) , or (3)

 

is responsible for a state civil infraction and may be ordered to

 

pay a civil fine of not more than $100.00. A person shall not be

 

cited for a violation of both section 74116(2) and section 74116(3)

 

for the same incident.

 

     (3) In any proceeding for the violation of this part or a rule

 

promulgated under this part, if a motor vehicle is found parked in

 

a state park, recreational fee area, the registration plate

 

displayed on the motor vehicle constitutes prima facie evidence

 

that the owner of the motor vehicle was the person who parked or

 

placed it at the location where it was found.

 

     (4) In addition to the penalties provided for in a violation

 

of subsection (1), a person convicted of an act of vandalism to

 

state park equipment, facilities, or resources shall reimburse the

 

department up to 3 times the amount of the damage as determined by


the court. All money collected pursuant to this subsection shall be

 

credited to the state park improvement account.

 

     Sec. 78101. As used in this part:

 

     (a) "Commercial motor vehicle" means that term as defined in

 

section 74101.

 

     (a) (b) "Commission" means the Michigan state waterways

 

commission.

 

     (b) (c) "Department" means the department of natural

 

resources.

 

     (d) "Designated state-operated public boating access site"

 

means a state-operated public boating access site designated under

 

section 78105(2).

 

     (c) (e) "Director" means the administrative director of the

 

commission.

 

     (d) (f) "Diesel motor fuel" means any liquid fuel used in the

 

operation of engines of the diesel type in motor vehicles or

 

watercraft.

 

     (e) (g) "Gasoline" means gasoline, casing head or natural

 

gasoline, benzole, benzine, and naphtha. Gasoline also means any

 

liquid prepared, advertised, offered for sale, sold for use as, or

 

used for, the generation of power for the propulsion of motor

 

vehicles or watercraft, including any product obtained by blending

 

together any 1 or more products of petroleum, regardless of their

 

original names or characteristics, with or without other products,

 

unless the resultant product obtained is entirely incapable of use

 

for the generation of power for the propulsion of motor vehicles or

 

watercraft. Gasoline does not include diesel fuel, liquefied


petroleum gas, or commercial or industrial naphthas or solvents

 

manufactured, imported, received, stored, distributed, sold, or

 

used exclusively for purposes other than as a fuel for motor

 

vehicles or watercraft.

 

     (f) (h) "Harbor" means a portion of a lake or other body of

 

water either naturally or artificially protected so as to be a

 

place of safety for watercraft, including contrivances used or

 

designed for navigation on water and used or owned by the United

 

States.

 

     (g) (i) "Harbor facilities" means the structures at a harbor

 

constructed to protect the lake or body of water and the facilities

 

provided within the harbor and ashore for the mooring and servicing

 

of watercraft and the servicing of crews and passengers.

 

     (h) (j) "Inland lake or stream" means that term as defined in

 

section 30101.

 

     (i) (k) "Liquefied petroleum gas" means gases derived from

 

petroleum or natural gases that are in the gaseous state at normal

 

atmospheric temperature and pressure, but that may be maintained in

 

the liquid state at normal atmospheric temperature by suitable

 

pressure.

 

     (j) (l) "Marina" means a site that contains harbor facilities.

 

     (k) (m) "Motor vehicle" means that term as defined in section

 

74101.

 

     (l) (n) "Navigable water" means any waterway navigable by

 

vessels, or capable of being made navigable by vessels through

 

artificial improvements, and includes the structures and facilities

 

created to facilitate navigation.


     (o) "Nonresident motor vehicle" means that term as defined in

 

section 74101.

 

     (m) (p) "Person" includes any individual, partnership,

 

corporation, association, or body politic, except the United States

 

and this state, and includes any trustee, receiver, assignee, or

 

other similar representative of those entities.

 

     (n) (q) "Public boating access site" means a publicly owned

 

site for the launching of recreational watercraft.

 

     (o) (r) "Recreational boating facilities" means boat launches,

 

harbors, marinas, and locks assisting recreational boats accessing

 

water bodies at different elevations.

 

     (s) "Recreation passport fee" means that term as defined in

 

section 2001.

 

     (t) "Resident motor vehicle" means that term as defined in

 

section 74101.

 

     (p) (u) "Retail fuel dealer" includes any person or persons,

 

both private and municipal, who that engage in the business of

 

selling or distributing fuel within this state.

 

     (q) (v) "Secretary of state" means the secretary of state of

 

this state, acting directly or through a duly authorized deputy,

 

investigators, agents, and employees.

 

     (r) (w) "Vessel" means all watercraft except the following:

 

     (i) Watercraft used for commercial fishing.

 

     (ii) Watercraft used by the sea scout department of the boy

 

scouts of America Sea Scouts, BSA chiefly for training scouts in

 

seamanship.

 

     (iii) Watercraft owned by this state, any political


subdivision of this state, or the federal government.

 

     (iv) Watercraft when used in interstate or foreign commerce

 

and watercraft used or owned by any railroad company or railroad

 

car ferry company.

 

     (v) Watercraft when used in trade, including watercraft when

 

used in connection with an activity that constitutes a person's

 

chief business or means of livelihood.

 

     (s) (x) "Watercraft" means any contrivance used or designed

 

for navigation on water, including, but not limited to, any vessel,

 

ship, boat, motor vessel, steam vessel, vessel operated by

 

machinery, motorboat, sailboat, barge, scow, tugboat, and rowboat,

 

but does not include contrivances used or owned by the United

 

States.

 

     (t) (y) "Waterway" means any body of water.

 

     (u) (z) "Waterways account" means the waterways account of the

 

Michigan conservation and recreation legacy fund provided for in

 

section 2035.

 

     Sec. 78105. (1) The department has the following powers and

 

duties:

 

     (a) To acquire, construct, and maintain harbors, channels, and

 

facilities for vessels in the navigable waters lying within the

 

boundaries of this state.

 

     (b) To acquire, by purchase, lease, gift, or condemnation the

 

lands, rights of way, and easements necessary for harbors and

 

channels. For the purposes of this subdivision, the department

 

shall be considered a state agency under 1911 PA 149, MCL 213.21 to

 

213.25.


     (c) To acquire, by purchase, lease, gift, or condemnation

 

suitable areas on shore for disposal of the material from dredging.

 

     (d) To enter into any contracts or agreements that may be

 

necessary in carrying out this part, including agreements to hold

 

and save the United States free from damages due to the

 

construction and maintenance by the United States of those works

 

that the United States undertakes.

 

     (e) To provide for the granting of concessions within the

 

boundaries of harbors, so as to furnish the public gas, oil, food,

 

and other facilities.

 

     (f) To represent this state and the governor in dealings with

 

the chief of engineers of the United States army and his or her

 

authorized agents for the purposes set forth in this part.

 

     (g) To charge fees for both seasonal and daily moorage at

 

state-operated small craft mooring facilities. All revenues derived

 

from this source shall be deposited in the waterways account.

 

     (h) To collect the proceeds from the sale of marine fuel at

 

harbors operated by the department. The proceeds from the sales

 

shall be credited to the waterways account and used for the

 

purchase of marine fuel supplies as may be needed. Any remaining

 

revenue from this source not needed for the purchase of marine fuel

 

supplies may be expended in the same manner as other funds within

 

the waterways account.

 

     (2) The director shall designate state-operated public boating

 

access sites that, subject to section 78119(4), shall not be

 

entered by a resident motor vehicle unless the recreation passport

 

fee has been paid or by a nonresident or commercial motor vehicle


unless a pass purchased under subsection (3) is affixed to the

 

motor vehicle as described in section 78119.The operator of a motor

 

vehicle shall not enter a state-operated public boating access site

 

designated by the director as requiring a recreation passport,

 

except in compliance with the recreation passport requirements of

 

part 741.

 

     (3) The department shall charge fees for passes authorizing

 

seasonal or daily entry by nonresident motor vehicles or commercial

 

motor vehicles at designated state-operated public boating access

 

sites. Fee revenue under this subsection shall be deposited in the

 

waterways account.

 

     Sec. 83106. (1) The department may require a person to obtain

 

a permit for camping in designated state forest campgrounds and may

 

establish and collect a fee for the camping permit. However, at

 

least 6 months before increasing a camping permit fee, the

 

department shall provide written notice of its intent to do so to

 

the standing committees of the senate and the house of

 

representatives that have primary jurisdiction over legislation

 

pertaining to natural resources and the environment.

 

     (2) The department may require a person to obtain a permit,

 

except as otherwise provided by law, for the use of lands and

 

facilities within the state forest as designated by the department

 

for recreation use. The department shall not require a permit or

 

payment of a fee for use of a state forest nonmotorized trail or

 

pathway or state forest campground facility except as provided in

 

subsection (1) or otherwise provided in this act.

 

     (3) Money collected under this section subsection (2) shall be


deposited into the forest recreation account.

 

     (4) The operator of a motor vehicle shall not enter a state

 

forest campground designated by the director as requiring a

 

recreation passport, except in compliance with the recreation

 

passport requirements of part 741.

 

     Enacting section 1. Section 78119 of the natural resources and

 

environmental protection act, 1994 PA 451, MCL 324.78119, is

 

repealed.

 

     Enacting section 2. This amendatory act takes effect 90 days

 

after the date it is enacted into law.