WATERFRONT REVITALIZATION - H.B. 5620 (H-3): FLOOR ANALYSIS

House Bill 5620 (Substitute H-3 as passed by the House)

Sponsor: Representative James M. Middaugh

House Committee: Conservation, Environment and Recreation

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to require the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to establish a waterfront redevelopment grant program. A local unit of government could apply for a grant to conduct a project that provided for: response activities on waterfront property consistent with a waterfront redevelopment plan, the demolition of buildings and other facilities along a waterfront inconsistent with a plan, the acquisition or assembly of waterfront property consistent with a plan, or public infrastructure and public facility improvements to waterfront property consistent with a plan. A project would have to provide for waterfront access to the general public.

A local unit would have to provide at least 25% of the total project's costs from other public or private funding sources. With the approval of the Michigan Jobs Commission, the DEQ would have to issue grants for projects that would contribute to the revitalization of waterfronts throughout the State that were not being used in a manner that maximized economic and public value. A grant could not be provided for a project located on land that was the site of, or owned or operated by, a gaming facility or a stadium or arena for use by a professional sports team.

The bill is tie-barred to House Bill 5622, which would create "Michigan's Economic, Environment, and Recreational Initiative Act" to provide for the issuance of $786 million in bonds for environmental and natural resources protection programs; House Bill 5719, which would require the DEQ to establish local recreation grants; Senate Bill 902, which (as passed by the House) would require the DEQ to establish a program for nonpoint source pollution prevention and control grants and wellhead protection grants; and Senate Bill 904, which would provide for the implementation of the proposed Act. The bill would take effect December 1, 1998, if the ballot question provided for in the proposed Act were approved by the voters.

Proposed MCL 324.79501-324.79508 - Legislative Analyst: N. Nagata

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

Date Completed: 6-29-98 - Fiscal Analyst: G. Cutler

- M. Tyszkiewiczfloor\hb5620 - Analysis available @ http://www.michiganlegislature.org

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.