NAT. RESOURCES TRUST FUND: DREDGING                                                      S.B. 229:

                                                                                                      FLOOR SUMMARY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senate Bill 229 (as reported without amendment)

Sponsor:  Senator John Moolenaar

Committee:  Outdoor Recreation and Tourism

 

CONTENT

 

The bill would amend Part 19 (Natural Resources Trust Fund) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to authorize the expenditure of Natural Resources Trust Fund (NRTF) interest and earnings on the dredging of harbors for use by recreational watercraft.

 

Under Part 19 and in accordance with Article IX, Section 35 of the State Constitution, the interest and earnings of the NRTF in a fiscal year may be spent in subsequent fiscal years only for the following purposes:

 

 --    The acquisition of land or rights in land for recreational uses or protection of the land because of its environmental importance or its scenic beauty.

 --    The administration of the NRTF, including payments in lieu of taxes on State-owned land purchased through the Trust Fund.

 --    The development of public recreation facilities.

 

Under the bill, the development of public recreation facilities would include the dredging of harbors for use by recreational watercraft.  "Harbor" would mean that term as it is defined in Section 78101 (i.e., a portion of a lake or other body of water protected either artificially or naturally so as to be a place of safety for watercraft, including contrivances used or designed for navigation on water and used or owned by the United States).

 

MCL 324.1903                                                              Legislative Analyst:  Julie Cassidy

 

FISCAL IMPACT

 

The bill would not result in additional revenue or expenditures for the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund.  The bill would include the dredging of harbors for use by recreational watercraft under the category of development of public recreation facilities, and as a result could reduce the amount of funding available for other public recreation facilities.  Pursuant to the Michigan Constitution and the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, annual expenditures from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund are recommended by the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Board.  The FY 2012-13 appropriations from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund are currently pending before the Legislature in Senate Bill 233.  That bill proposes a $23,348,700 appropriation from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund for 22 acquisition projects totaling $14,276,500 and 54 development projects totaling $9,072,200.  Matching funds of $13,776,000 would result in total project costs of $37,124,700.

Date Completed:  3-14-13                                                  Fiscal Analyst:  Bill Bowerman

 

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.