LAND & WATER MANAGEMENT FEES H.B. 4864 (H-2): FLOOR ANALYSIS
House Bill 4864 (Substitute H-2 as reported without amendment) Sponsor: Representative William Bobier
House Committee: Appropriations
Senate Committee: Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs
The bill would amend Sections 30104, 30105, 30109, and 30113 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA) to extend from October 1, 1995, to October 1, 1999, the sunset for fees for various permits involving minor projects as described in rules promulgated under the Act; major projects such as dredging, draining, filling, and new construction; and marina projects on inland lakes and streams, and the service fee for establishing a high water mark on a person’s property. Further, the bill would require the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to process completed permit applications required under the NREPA, the Public Health Code, or the Subdivision Control Act within 60 days, unless the Act or part specifically provided for permit application processing time limits. The NREPA currently requires the DNR to process the applications within 60 days.
The fees originated in the Inland Lakes and Streams Act and are deposited in the Land and Water Management Permit Fee Fund to be used, upon appropriation, for the implementation of the NREPA’s provisions concerning inland lakes and streams, Great Lakes, submerged lands, wetland protection, shorelands protection and management, dam safety, and sand dune protection and management; the Public Health Code’s provisions concerning the application of chemicals to control aquatic nuisances; and the Subdivision Control Act’s provisions concerning review of preliminary plats by the Department of Natural Resources for subdivisions in floodplains.
MCL 324.30104 et al. Legislative Analyst: L. Burghardt
House Bills 4861 (H-1) through 4865 (H-1) and 4893 (H-1) would allow continued collection of between $1,544,800 and $2.1 million in fee revenue to the State.
According to the Department of Natural Resources, $840,819 in Land & Water Permit Fees and $744,800 in Stormwater Permit Fees were collected in FY 1993-94. For FY 1994-95, $1,320,367 and $825,600 have been collected to date. Fiscal year 1995-96 appropriations total $3,024,900 in estimated fee revenue.
These fees are used to operate the permitting programs in the Department, and their elimination would result in a reduction of approximately 25% in the “Land & Water Administration” line item and a 100% reduction in the “Stormwater Discharge Program” in the Department budget.
Date Completed: 9-14-95 Fiscal Analyst: G. Cutler
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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.