PICTURED ROCKS NATIONAL LAKESHORE

Senate Bill 617 (S-1)

Sponsor:  Sen. Tom Casperson

House Committee:  Government Operations

Senate Committee:  Natural Resources, Environment and Great Lakes

Complete to 3-21-12

A SUMMARY OF SENATE BILL 617 AS PASSED BY THE SENATE 11-1-11

Public Act 168 of 1967 authorized the State of Michigan to convey title to and cede jurisdiction over certain land and water within the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore to the United States government.  Senate Bill 617 would amend that act in the following ways.

Cession of Land and/or Water

Upon the written application of the U.S. government to acquire concurrent legislative jurisdiction over the lands and waters within the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore not previously ceded, the Governor could cede to the U.S., jurisdiction over any or all of the lands for which jurisdiction has been requested while reserving to the State of Michigan appropriate concurrent jurisdiction. 

The application submitted by the U.S. government would have to state the measure of jurisdiction desired, along with an accurate jurisdiction of the lands or waters, or both, and information as to which of the lands is owned by the U.S.

The cession of jurisdiction would become effective when accepted on behalf of the U.S. Acceptance would have to be indicated in writing upon an instrument of cession by an authorized U.S. official, which would have to be filed with the Michigan Secretary of State.

State Reserves Jurisdiction

The bill specifies that the State of Michigan reserves jurisdiction as follows over lands and waters within the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore to which jurisdiction is ceded to the United States:

o                   The state's entire legislative jurisdiction with respect to state and local taxation.

o                   The state's entire legislative jurisdiction with respect to marriage, divorce, annulment, adoption, commitment of the mentally incompetent, and descent and distribution of property.

o                   Concurrent or separate power to enforce the criminal law.

o                   The power to execute any process, civil or criminal, issued under authority of the state.

Rights of Residents

A person residing on lands within the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore to which legislative jurisdiction is ceded could not be deprived of any civil or political rights, including the right of suffrage, by reason of the cession of jurisdiction.

Relinquishment by the United States

If the U.S. government offers a relinquishment of legislative jurisdiction over lands within the Lakeshore, the Governor could accept on behalf of the State of Michigan; acceptance would be indicated by a writing addressed to the head of the appropriate federal department or agency.  The acceptance would be effective when deposited in a U.S. post office or mailbox.

Amendment to Original Language

Public Act 168 says the State Administrative Board can convey by quitclaim deed or deeds the title to land vested in the State of Michigan and under the jurisdiction of what is now the Department of Natural Resources and can cede the offshore water area on behalf of the state to the United States "as lie within the boundaries of the shoreline zone of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore."  The bill would delete the underlined words, making the provision apply to "the boundaries of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore."

MCL 3.451 et al.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore was authorized by Congress in 1966 and encompasses 73,235 acres which include 42 miles of Lake Superior shoreline.   The park receives approximately 500,000 visitors annually.  By authorizing the Governor to cede concurrent legislative jurisdiction over certain lands within the park to the federal government, Senate Bill 617 (S-1) may create administrative savings for the State of Michigan, particularly in the area of law enforcement and public safety.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Chris Couch

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Viola Bay Wild

■ 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.