FY 2011-12 NATURAL RESOURCES BUDGET S.B. 182: GOVERNOR'S RECOMMENDATION


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Senate Bill 182 (as introduced)
Vehicle for Governor's Recommendation line items is Senate Bill 199
Committee: Appropriations

FY 2010-11 Year-to-Date Gross Appropriation $323,302,700
Changes from FY 2010-11 Year-to-Date:
  1. Historical Programs. The Governor rolled these programs into a single "schedule of programs" line as well as reducing GF/GP funding and 2.0 FTEs. (253,100)
2. Mackinac Island State Park. The Governor removed GF/GP support for this program and replacing it with Park Endowment Fund revenue, which would save $1,561,900 GF/GP. Park Endowment Funds for this program would be appropriated in the same line as the other State parks. 0
3. Increase Captive Cervid Fees. The Governor recommended increasing license fees for captive cervidae (deer, elk, etc.) facilities. This increase would allow the program to fund itself and no longer require a $115,000 GF/GP appropriation. 0
4. Wildfire Equipment Purchases. The Governor reduced GF/GP support for Wildfire Protection and Forest Fire Equipment. Savings would result from decreased equipment purchases. (68,500)
5. Natural Resources Heritage. The Governor eliminated GF/GP support for the endangered species studies conducted by the MSU Extension. (124,400)
6. General Law Enforcement. The Governor reduced GF/GP support for law enforcement activities on State land. (92,400)
7. Administrative Reductions. The Governor reduced GF/GP support for various administrative programs. (184,700)
8. Recreation Passport Revenue. The Governor increased spending for various recreation programs due to expected new revenue from the Recreation Passport. These programs include: State Parks, Forest Recreation, and local grants. New revenue estimates are based on an assumed 30% participation rate in the Passport program. 3,114,000
9. Excess Spending Authorization. The Governor reduced various programs in an effort to match those appropriations with available restricted revenue. (8,039,200)
10. Capital Outlay. The Governor increased funding for capital outlay projects. Revenue is available from the large amount of revenue collected from mineral auctions last year. 6,101,400
11. Early Retirement Savings. Savings from retirement incentive in FY 2009-10. (283,900)
12. Economic Adjustments. Governor included $6,723,900 Gross, $413,200 GF/GP; DIT $216,900 Gross, $26,000 GF/GP. 6,723,900
Total Changes $6,893,100
  FY 2011-12 Governor's Recommendation $330,195,800

The changes show the difference between the schedule of programs proposed by the Governor and the prior-year line items. FY 2011-12 NATURAL RESOURCES BUDGET BOILERPLATE HIGHLIGHTS

Changes from FY 2010-11 Year to Date:
  1. Out-of-State Travel. Sections restricted out-of-state travel, as well as attendance to conferences and training seminars were eliminated. (Sec. 209 & 225)
2. Purchasing Guidelines. Sections favored purchasing of domestic and Michigan-made goods as well as those from depressed and deprived communities were eliminated. (Sec. 210 & 211)
3. Communication with the Legislature. A section prohibited disciplinary procedures against employees who communicate truthfully with the Legislature was eliminated. (Sec. 212)
4. Restricted Fund and FTE Reports. Sections required various reports on State restricted fund balances as well as FTE reports were eliminated. (Sec. 222 & 233)
5. Expenditure Posting. Sections required expenditure posting on the internet were eliminated. (Sec. 233 & 234)
6. Waterways Commission Report. A section required an annual report on the activities of the Michigan State Waterways Commission was eliminated. (Sec. 223)
7. Freedom Trail Commission. A section required the Department to allocate $22,500 for the operation of the Freedom Trail Commission was eliminated. (Sec. 307)
8. Land Transactions Report. A section required an annual report on all land transactions approved by the Natural Resources Commission in the previous year was eliminated. (Sec. 308)
9. Bovine TB Report. Language required an annual report on Department activities related to bovine tuberculosis was eliminated. (Sec. 501)
10. Indemnification Payments. Language stated the intent of the Legislature that the DNR reimburse the Department of Agriculture for indemnification payments for livestock losses caused by wolves, coyotes, and cougars, was eliminated. (Sec. 502)
11. Notification of Intent to Reduce Recreation Opportunities. Language required the Department to notify the Legislature of intent to reduce recreational opportunities at State parks or recreation areas was eliminated. (Sec. 702)
12. Porcupine Mountains Ski Hill Operations. Language prohibited the Department from altering or halting ski hill operations at the Porcupine Mountains State Park was eliminated. (Sec. 703)
13. Timber Marking Quotas. Language established quotas for the minimum acreage of State land to be treated and marked in preparation for timber auctions was eliminated. (Sec. 802)
14. Horseback Riding Opportunities. A section required the Department to work with horseback riding interests was eliminated. (Sec. 804)
15. Timber Marking Contractors. Language required the Department to contract a sufficient number of foresters to mark timber per Section 802 was eliminated. (Sec. 805)
16. Timber Industry Meetings. A section required the director to meet semiannually with timber industry representatives was eliminated. (Sec. 807)
17. Reopen State Forest Campgrounds. A section required the Department to establish a plan to reopen closed State forest campgrounds as miniature State parks was eliminated. (Sec. 808)
18. Snowmobile Law Enforcement Grants. Language required the Department to use appropriations for snowmobile law enforcement grants for those purposes was eliminated. (Sec. 901)
19. ORV Trail Improvement Grant Restrictions. Language required the Department to spend $980,000 of appropriations made for these grants on the development of new trails which are in accordance with the ORV Trail Expansion plan was eliminated. (Sec. 1003)

Date Completed: 2-28-11 Fiscal Analyst: Josh Sefton Bill Analysis @ http://www.senate.michigan.gov/sfa This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations. HIdnr_gr.doc