MACKINAC FERRY REGULATION S.B. 304 (S-1):
SUMMARY OF SUBSTITUTE BILL
IN COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 304 (Substitute S-1)
Sponsor: Senator John N. Damoose
MACKINAC FERRY REGULATION S.B. 304 (S-1):
SUMMARY OF SUBSTITUTE BILL
IN COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 304 (Substitute S-1)
Sponsor: Senator John N. Damoose
CONTENT
The bill would amend Local Act 437 of 1899, which governs the City of Mackinac Island's city charter, to grant the City of Mackinac Island the authority 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. The Act authorizes the City of Mackinac Island 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, and regulating those established and licensed.
The bill would grant to the City the authority to license and regulate all aspects of ferry service to and from the City and to regulate all charges and prices for or in connection with the transportation of persons and property by ferry, including 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 specifies that the authority granted to the City would not diminish any authority provided by other statutes to any other city, village, or township.
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.
SAS\S2526\s304sb 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. |