GRANTS FOR ORV ENFORCEMENT/ SNOWMOBILE SAFETY AND EDUCATION
House Bill 4922
Sponsor: Rep. Joseph Rivet
Committee: Conservation and Outdoor Recreation
Complete to 8-17-01
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4922 AS INTRODUCED 6-7-01
Parts 811 and 812 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA) regulate off-road recreational vehicles (ORVs) and snowmobiles, respectively. House Bill 4922 would amend Parts 811 and 812 to allow counties adjacent to the Great Lakes (defined in the bill to include Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, and Lake Erie), Saginaw Bay, and Lake St. Clair to apply for ORV enforcement grants and for grants to develop snowmobile safety and education programs, as follows:
ORV Trail Improvement Fund. Part 811 of the act (MCL 324.81119) currently specifies, among other requirements, that not less than 50 percent of the revenue in the ORV Trail Improvement Fund is to be distributed each year in the form of grants to public agencies and nonprofit incorporated clubs and organizations for such purposes as planning and acquiring easements for ORV trails, areas, and routes. In addition, not less than thirty-one and one-quarter percent of the revenue in the fund is to be used each year for enforcement of the act. Of the amount available for enforcement, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) must make twenty-four percent available for distribution in the form of grants to county sheriffs' departments.
Part 811 of the act also specifies that the department consider certain factors when making grants available for distribution. The bill would amend the act to require consideration of those counties that do not have designated trails, routes, or areas but that border or are adjacent to one of the Great Lakes, Saginaw Bay, or Lake St. Clair.
Snowmobile Safety and Training Programs. Part 821 of the act (MCL 324.82107) specifies that the DNR's annual budget request must include an amount for enforcement of the act, for snowmobile safety education and training programs, and for a state financial assistance program. Each county in the state is entitled to receive the financial assistance, and is to be encouraged to develop a snowmobile safety education and training program. In addition, the department must survey the state annually to determine the amount of financial assistance that will be allocated to each county for its snowmobile program. House Bill 4922 would require the department to also consider those counties that do not have designated trails or areas, but that border or are adjacent to one of the Great Lakes, Saginaw Bay, or Lake St. Clair.
MCL 324.81119 and 324.82107
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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.