SUMMER COLONY:  LAND OWNERSHIP

Senate Bill 658

Sponsor:  Sen. Jason E. Allen

House Committee:  Commerce

Senate Committee:  Economic Development, Small Business and Regulatory Reform

Complete to 1-30-06

A SUMMARY OF SENATE BILL 658 AS PASSED BY THE SENATE 9-8-05

The bill would amend Public Act 39 of 1889 to allow an association incorporated under the act to own up to 1,000 acres of land.  The current limit is 350 acres.

[According to the Senate Fiscal Agency, the bill would allow the Bay View Association of the United Methodist Church, located just north of Petoskey, to own additional land.  According to information on the association's website,

Founded in 1875, The Bay View Association of the United Methodist Church is a private, voluntary membership institution. Bay View is a National Historic Landmark community which is home to more than 30 community-owned buildings, 440 cottages and two inns situated on 337 terraced acres in beautiful northwest Lower Michigan. Every summer, Bay View offers superb presentations of music, worship, lectures and educational seminars, all of which are open to the public.]

 

Bay View is organized under Public Act 39 of 1889, which is described as an act to authorize the formation of corporations for the purchase and improvement of grounds to be occupied for summer homes, for camp-meetings, for meetings of assemblies or associations and societies organized for intellectual and scientific culture and for the promotion of the cause of religion and morality, or for any or all of such purposes.

FISCAL IMPACT:

           

            There is no fiscal impact on the State of Michigan or its local units of government.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Chris Couch

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Richard Child

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.