GENESEE COUNTY CONVEYANCE - S.B. 468: FIRST ANALYSIS
Senate Bill 468 (as passed by the Senate)
Sponsor: Senator John D. Cherry, Jr.
Committee: Local, Urban and State Affairs
Date Completed: 6-6-01
RATIONALE
The Mounds Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Park in Genesee County offers trail/route systems for motorcycles, mini-bikes, dune buggies, four-wheel drive vehicles, and all-terrain vehicles. Currently, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has jurisdiction over two parcels of State-owned land adjacent to the park. Evidently, the State acquired the property for ORV use, and the county has been responsible for administering it, along with a larger parcel of park property. It has been proposed that the DNR convey the two parcels of land to Genesee County in conjunction with park expansion plans.
CONTENT
The bill would authorize the Department of Natural Resources, on behalf of the State, to convey for $1 to Genesee County, two parcels of property under the DNR's jurisdiction and located in Genesee County, as described in the bill, to be used only for public recreation purposes.
The conveyance would have to require the property to be used only for public recreation purposes, and be open to all State residents on the same terms, fees, and conditions. The conveyance also would have to provide that upon termination of that use or use for any other purpose, the property would have to revert immediately to the State, with the State assuming no liability for any improvements made by Genesee County.
The conveyance would have to be by quitclaim deed approved by the Attorney General and could reserve mineral rights to the State.
(Please note: The arguments contained in this analysis originate from sources outside the Senate Fiscal Agency. The Senate Fiscal Agency neither supports nor opposes legislation.)
Supporting Argument
The efforts to expand the Mounds ORV Park represent a partnership between the DNR and Genesee County in which the Department acquires property and the county administers it. The park's expansion plan calls for the addition of 300 acres to the existing 370-acre park for expanded use and buffer to the surrounding neighbors. The conveyance of the two parcels described in the bill to Genesee County would further continuing efforts to support legitimate ORV riding opportunities in southern Michigan.
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- Legislative Analyst: N. Nagata
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government. The two parcels described in the bill are State-owned in-holdings in a larger parcel of property owned by Genesee County and used for off-road vehicle (ORV) recreational purposes. The parcels were originally purchased by the Department of Natural Resources with funds from the Natural Resources Trust Fund for approximately $93,000 with the intent of providing recreational areas for ORVs. The DNR now supports conveying the property to Genesee County for $1, to be used for ORV recreational purposes, with the provision that the property would be returned to the Department if it were ever used for any other purpose.
- Fiscal Analyst: M. HansenA0102\s468a
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.