1088: COMMITTEE SUMMARY (Date Completed: 3-9-10)

DNRE: SIGNAGE S.B. 1088: COMMITTEE SUMMARY
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Senate Bill 1088 (as introduced 1-26-10)
Sponsor: Senator Michelle A. McManus
Committee: Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs

Date Completed: 3-9-10

CONTENT
The bill would amend Part 3 (Definitions) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to provide that, for purposes of implementing Executive Reorganization Order 2009-31, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE) would not have to make changes to signage and other printed material to reflect the change in the name of the Department. The bill specifies that, for this purpose, a reference to the Department of Natural Resources would be considered to mean the DNRE.

(Executive Reorganization Order No. 2009-31 created the DNRE, abolished the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Environmental Quality, and transferred all of the authority, powers, duties, functions, responsibilities, personnel, equipment, property, and budgetary resources of the two departments to the DNRE.)

MCL 324.301 Legislative Analyst: Julie Cassidy

FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would allow the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to continue using the name "Department of Natural Resources" in signage and other printed materials. The Department has hundreds of signs marking trailheads, park entrances, boat launches, and other facilities that it operates. In addition, the Department's name and logo appear on many publications as well as on the uniforms of DNRE personnel who are required to wear them. Replacing all of the objects bearing the DNR's name before their respective useful lives end simply for the sake of changing the Department's name would cost an unknown, but likely very significant amount. Presently, the DNRE has made public no plans to make such a change.

Fiscal Analyst: Josh Sefton

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. sb1088/0910