SB-1281, As Passed House, September 29, 2004

SUBSTITUTE FOR

SENATE BILL NO. 1281

                                                                             A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled                                             

"Natural resources and environmental protection act,"                       

(MCL 324.101 to 324.90106) by adding section 74124.                         

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

1   Sec. 74124.  (1) The department shall create a "gem of the                  

2   parks" award to recognize key state parks for their contribution            

3   to the state parks system, a "volunteer of the year" award to               

4   recognize outstanding individuals who donate time or monetary               

5   contributions to the state park system, and an "employee of the             

6   year" award to recognize individuals who are outstanding                    

7   employees of the state park system.  The department shall develop           

8   a program to facilitate the determination and presentation of               

9   these awards.  The awards shall be made on a yearly basis.                  

10  (2) The department shall develop a set of standards to use in               

11  determining the recipients of the awards under subsection (1)               

1   with consideration given to the following:                                  

2       (a) The contribution of the state park, the volunteer, or the               

3   employee to the preservation of the state's natural resources.              

4       (b) The amount of any monetary donation.                                    

5       (c) The length of time donated or the years of employment.                  

6       (d) The length of a long-term commitment to the preservation                

7   of the environment.                                                         

8       (3) The department annually shall submit the names of the                   

9   award recipients under subsection (1) to the standing committees            

10  in the senate and house of representatives responsible for                  

11  natural resources matters.