MACKINAC FERRY REGULATION S.B. 304:
SUMMARY OF INTRODUCED BILL
IN COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 304 (as introduced 5-14-25)
MACKINAC FERRY REGULATION S.B. 304:
SUMMARY OF INTRODUCED BILL
IN COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 304 (as introduced 5-14-25)
CONTENT
The bill would amend Local Act 437 of 1899, which governs the City of Mackinac Island's city charter, to allow the City of Mackinac Island to regulate all aspects of ferry service to and from the city, including ancillary fees and charges to consumers.
The Act establishes the charter of the City of Mackinac Island. The charter is amended only by the State Legislature. Among other things, the Act grants the City of Mackinac Island the authority to license and regulate ferries to and from the city, and to regulate and prescribe from time to time the charges and prices for the transportation of persons and property therein. The City also has the authority to provide for the revocation of any such licenses and for the punishment, by proper fines and penalties, of the violation of any ordinance prohibiting unlicensed ferries.
The bill would grant the City the authority to license and regulate all aspects of ferry service to and from the City, to regulate all charges and prices for or in connection with the transportation of persons and property by ferry, such as baggage fees, early or priority boarding fees, fees and charges for parking of vehicles by persons accessing the ferry service, whether within the City or on the mainland, and all other fees and charters in connection with the ferry service.
The bill would not take effect unless approved by the majority of the electors of the City of Mackinac Island voting on the question, which would have to be submitted at the next regular election held 60 days after the bill's effective date. The question would have to appear as follows: "Shall 1899 Local Act 437, entitled 'An act to amend 1899 LA 437, entitled 'An act to vacate the Township of Holmes and Village of Mackinac in Mackinac County, State of Michigan, and Incorporate the City of Mackinac Island in said Mackinac County," by amending section 1 of chapter IX and section 1 of chapter XVI; and to provide for a referendum," be adopted?" If approved by a majority of voters, the question would take effect 10 days after the certification of the election results.
Legislative Analyst: Nathan Leaman
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on the State and no direct impact on local units of government. The bill could have an indirect positive fiscal impact on Mackinac Island by allowing the regulation of the ferry services, not only the ticket price of ferries but also other fees associated with the ferry services like baggage fees and parking fees. The regulation of these fees could result in a larger amount of tourism to Mackinac Island and could result in a positive fiscal impact for Mackinac Island.
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