RECREATIONAL TRAIL NETWORK H.B. 5553 & 5559:
SUMMARY OF HOUSE-PASSED BILL
House Bills 5553 and 5559 (as passed by the House)
Sponsor: Representative Ray A. Franz (H.B. 5553)
Representative Dave Pagel (H.B. 5559)
CONTENT
House Bill 5553 would amend Part 721 (Michigan Trailways) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA) to do the following:
-- Change the name of the "Michigan Trailways Fund" to the "Pure Michigan Trails Fund".
-- Eliminate a provision allowing the Fund to receive fees collected from users of trailways on State forestland.
-- Include nonprofit organizations and private sector entities among the entities eligible for grants from the Fund to operate and maintain designated trail segments.
-- Delete specific factors that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) must consider in determining expenditures of Fund money.
House Bill 5559 would amend Parts 13 (Permits) and 721 of NREPA to do the following:
-- Refer to a "Pure Michigan trail" rather than a "Michigan trailway" in the definition of "permit" and provisions regarding easements, contracts, and leases related to designated trails.
-- Transfer from the Natural Resources Commission to the DNR authority regarding easements, contracts, and leases related to designated trails.
The bills would take effect 90 days after they were enacted. They are tie-barred to each other and to Senate Bills 873, 875, 876, and 877. The Senate bills would amend Part 721 to replace provisions for Michigan trailways with provisions for the designation of Pure Michigan trails and water trails; allow the designation of Pure Michigan trail towns; require the development of an online database and a mobile software application of Michigan trail maps; and make related changes.
MCL 324.72107 & 324.72109 (H.B. 5553) Legislative Analyst: Julie Cassidy
324.1301 & 324.72108 (H.B. 5559)
FISCAL IMPACT
House Bill 5553 would not have a substantial fiscal impact on the Department of Natural Resources or local units of government. The bill would make changes to the Michigan Trailways Fund by eliminating the provision allowing the Fund to receive revenue derived from fees charged to users of trailways. This change would have no practical fiscal impact on the DNR as no such fees are currently charged and subsequently credited to the Fund.
House Bill 5559 would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Date Completed: 6-10-14 Fiscal Analyst: Josh Sefton
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.