September 17, 2008, Introduced by Rep. Corriveau and referred to the Committee on Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources.
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled
"Natural resources and environmental protection act,"
by amending section 74117 (MCL 324.74117), as amended by 2006 PA
477.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 74117. (1) The department may require park permits and
collect park permit fees for entry into a state park or portion of
a state park posted in the manner prescribed by this part. The
department may waive the permit requirement for department-
sponsored events or other circumstances as determined by the
director or the director's designee. The department shall prepare
and distribute park permits to implement this part.
(2) Except as otherwise provided in this section, an annual
park permit shall be issued and shall authorize the entry of the
motor vehicle to which it is originally attached within the
confines of any state park or recreation area during the calendar
year
for which it is issued. The Except
as provided in subsection
(5), the fee for the annual park permit is as follows:
(a) Until January 1, 2010, for the owner of a resident motor
vehicle, $24.00, except as follows:
(i) The fee for the owner of a resident motor vehicle who is 65
years of age or older is $6.00.
(ii) The fee for the owner of a resident motor vehicle who, at
the time of purchase, is in possession of a food stamp card and
personal identification is $18.00.
(b) Until January 1, 2010, for the owner of a nonresident
motor vehicle, $29.00.
(3) A daily permit, valid for 1 day only, shall authorize the
entry of the motor vehicle to which it is originally attached
within the confines of a state park during the day for which it is
issued. The fee for a daily permit is as follows:
(a) Until January 1, 2010, for the owner of a resident motor
vehicle, $6.00.
(b) Until January 1, 2010, for the owner of a nonresident
motor vehicle, $8.00.
(4) A person who has obtained an annual motor vehicle permit
under this section for a recreational vehicle to be used as a
stationary primary camping shelter camped legally in and not moved
from a state park campground during the period of the camping stay
may obtain a duplicate motor vehicle permit for a towed second
motor vehicle present at the time of entry for a fee of $6.00
effective for the duration of camping stay.
(5) The department shall offer for sale a transferable annual
park permit that allows the entry of a motor vehicle into a state
park upon presentation of the transferable annual park permit by
the individual purchasing the park permit or a member of his or her
immediate family. The department shall charge a fee of $35.00 for
the purchase of a transferable annual park permit.
(6) (5)
The department shall provide to the
standing
committees in the senate and house of representatives along with
the appropriate budget subcommittees that primarily consider issues
pertaining to natural resources an annual report that details the
revenue stream generated by the fee structure under this section.
This report shall be presented not later than December 31 each year
and shall include information on the impact of the revenue stream
on the Michigan state parks endowment fund created in section 35a
of article IX of the state constitution of 1963 and provided for in
section 74119, the use of the general fund for funding the state
park system, and other relevant issues that impact funding needs
for the state park system.
(7) (6)
This part applies only to the entry
of motor vehicles
into the state parks and to the park permits authorized in this
part and does not obviate the necessity of obtaining additional
permits for special services or park privileges as previously or
subsequently may be required by law or by rules promulgated by the
department. The department shall designate each person in the state
authorized to sell park permits and shall require as a condition of
the designation that a surety bond be furnished in an amount and in
a form and with the surety as is acceptable to the department.
After being designated by the department, a person may issue park
permits in accordance with this part.
(8) (7)
Commercial motor coaches or vans
with a capacity of
more than 12 passengers are not eligible to enter a state park with
an annual park permit. Until January 1, 2010, the daily fee to
allow commercial motor coaches or vans with a capacity of over 12
passengers daily entry into a state park is $15.00.
(9) (8)
The department may add to the cost
of a reservation or
a motor vehicle entrance or camping fee the charges that the state
incurs because of the use of a credit card.
(10) (9)
If a person's annual park permit is
lost or
destroyed, the department shall provide that person with a
replacement park permit free of charge. The department may require
a person requesting a replacement park permit to supply sufficient
evidence of the loss or destruction of the original park permit.
(11) (10)
It is the intent of the legislature
that if, on
September 30 of any state fiscal year, the amount of money in the
countercyclical budget and economic stabilization fund created in
section 351 of the management and budget act, 1984 PA 431, MCL
18.1351, exceeds $250,000,000.00, then general fund/general purpose
support for state parks operations for the following state fiscal
year shall be equal to or exceed 50% of the revenues generated by
motor vehicle entrance fees under this section during the previous
state fiscal year.
(12) (11)
As used in this section,
"resident motor vehicle"
means a vehicle that is registered as a motor vehicle in this
state.