LAUNCHING A BOAT WITH AN

AQUATIC PLANT ATTACHED

House Bill 4199

Sponsor:  Rep. Michael Lahti

1st Committee:  Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources (Discharged)

2nd Committee:  Great Lakes and Environment

Complete to 3-18-09

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4199 AS INTRODUCED 2-5-09

The bill would add a new Section 41325 (MCL 324.41325) to Part 413 (Transgenic and Nonnative Organisms) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to prohibit a person from placing any boat, boating equipment, or boat trailer in the waters of the state if it has an aquatic plant attached.  The owner or operator of a boat, equipment, or trailer would be required to obey an order from a law enforcement officer to remove the aquatic plant. 

"Aquatic plant" in Part 413 would mean "a submergent, emergent, or floating-leaf plant or a fragment or seed therof" but not "wild rice (Zizania aquatica)." 

Notice.  The Department of Natural Resources would have to prepare a notice that summarizes the bill's provisions and make copies available to owners of public boat access sites.  The owners of public boat access sites would have to post and maintain this notice. 

A violation of any of the bill's requirements (except for the requirement applicable to the Department of Natural Resources) would be classified as a state civil infraction subject to a civil fine of not more than $500. 

FISCAL IMPACT:

This bill would not appear to have a significant fiscal impact on the state or on local governmental units.  Fines from civil infractions go to public libraries and county law libraries.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Shannan Kane

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Kirk Lindquist

                                                                                                                           Ben Gielczyk

■ 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.