Legislation adds flexibility to usage of Natural Resources Trust Fund dollars

To expand the availability of funds for public recreation projects, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder last Friday signed legislation that expands how Natural Resources Trust Fund dollars can be allocated. "The Trust Fund enhances opportunities for Michiganders to enjoy our beautiful natural resources," Snyder said. "These bills allow us to expand how these dollars are spent to enable further improvements to take place in our state. I look forward to Senate Joint Resolution O being on the ballot in the future to finalize these changes." Senate Bills 763, 931 and 932, sponsored by state Sen. Tom Casperson, Goeff Hansen and Darwin Booher, respectively, expand acceptable usage of the fund to include renovation and redevelopment projects. The bills also increase potential investments in state and local parks. The changes reflected in the bills are pending the approval of Senate Joint Resolution O, which will appear on a future statewide ballot. Snyder also signed 25 other bills: - SB 110, sponsored by state Sen. Wayne Schmidt, allows local units of government to provide incentives for affordable rental housing. - SB 671, sponsored by state Sen. Rick Jones, adds language to statute relating to preserving claims against a title. - SB 729, sponsored by state Sen. Margaret O'Brien, exempts some financial institutions from requirements for some gift cards. - SB 752, sponsored by state Sen. Wayne Schmidt, allows an extension for a certain period of time for when services, financial assistance and other benefits are eligible to a spouse after marriage. - SB 838, sponsored by state Sen. Jack Brandenburg, extends the time period for issuance of a security to pay off unfunded pension or postemployment health care liabilities. - SB 844, sponsored by state Sen. John Proos, extends the expiration of the Criminal Justice Policy Commission to Jan. 12, 2023. - SB 1108, sponsored by state Sen. Jim Stamas, makes certain technical modifications to the 21st Century Jobs Fund. - SB 1118, sponsored by state Sen. Goeff Hansen, allows for sale of certain state-owned property in Muskegon County. - SB 1205, sponsored by state Sen. Phil Pavlov, modifies claims utilization and cost information compilation for public service employment. - SB 1232, sponsored by state Sen. Peter MacGregor, eliminates sunset provisions related to pilot programs pertaining to juvenile justice services for child welfare services. - SB 1234, sponsored by state Sen. David Knezek, allows for transportation of police dogs in ambulances. - SB 1244, sponsored by state Sen. Jim Stamas, modifies cleanup criteria for hazardous substances. - SBs 1262 - 1263, sponsored by state Sen. Arlan Meekhof, modify requirements for applicants for medical marihuana facility licensing, enacts sentencing guidelines for operating a medical marihuana facility without a license resulting in a death or serious injury, and other general amendments. - SB 1264, sponsored by state Sen. Arlan Meekhof, requires that the Secretary of State forward a digitized photograph for applicants for a state registry identification card to the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. - HB 4066, sponsored by state Rep. Jim Tedder, creates the interstate medical licensure compact. - HB 4525, sponsored by state Rep. Triston Cole, modifies the definition of autocycle and motorcycle. - HB 5098, sponsored by state Rep. Michelle Hoitenga, requires certain notifications and procedures for relocation of facilities. - HB 6012, sponsored by state Rep. Steven Johnson, modifies procedures when non-resident motorists do not comply with a traffic citation in this state. - HB 6017, sponsored by state Rep. Ed Canfield, updates HIV testing and reporting procedures. - HB 6025, sponsored by state Rep. Tommy Brann, designates certain portions of US 131 as the "PPC Nicholas H. Blogett," "CPL Ross A. Smith," and "SPC Eric T. Burri Memorial Highway." - HB 6090, sponsored by state Rep. Joe Bellino, modifies Board of Review hearings under the county public improvement act of 1939. - HB 6021, sponsored by state Rep. Jon Hoadley, updates HIV testing and reporting procedures. - HB 6153, sponsored by state Rep. Daire Rendon, repeals the forest and mineral resource development grant and loan program. - HB 6397, sponsored by state Rep. John Bizon, exempts certain information from certain disclosures and clarifies investigation procedures. All above bills have been filed with the Office of the Great Seal. Snyder also vetoed 25 other bills: - SBs 100-101, sponsored by state Sen. Tom Casperson and Dave Robertson, respectively, would have removed certain restrictions on recovery of costs and fees in action involving this state and exempts parole hearings from the administrative procedures act and makes general revisions to contested case provisions. In his veto letter, Snyder wrote that the legislation could create legal uncertainty considering it contains a substantially justifiable standard coupled with a clear and convincing standard, which neither federal law nor other state laws contain. - SB 721, sponsored by state Sen. Darwin Booher, would have amended statute pertaining to sand dunes protection and management. In his veto letter, Snyder wrote that allowing large-scale contour changes proposed by the legislation is not protective to the dune ecosystem. Further, it would provide opportunities to degrade, erode and destabilize critical dunes, which is what this statute was originally enacted to protect. - SB 1040, sponsored by state Sen. Hoon-Yung Hopgood, would have expanded the definition of historical vehicles to include certain military surplus vehicles. In his veto letter, Snyder wrote that vehicles which were never manufactured or intended for on-road passenger use could be registered and permitted on public streets and roads and he does not believe that is appropriate. - SB 1198, sponsored by state Sen. Tom Casperson, would have removed the sunset on the prohibition of telemedicine examination prior to a physician diagnosing and prescribing a medical abortion. In his veto letter, Snyder wrote that providing patients with the ability to remotely receive safe and proper medical care, at a time-sensitive period for the patient, is significant. It was with this in mind that the bill was returned without signature. - SB 1249, sponsored by state Sen. Dave Robertson, would have changed the Code of Criminal Procedure to set a five-year statute of limitations on indicting an individual for committing a violation of the Campaign Finance Act. In his veto letter, Snyder wrote that the Code of Criminal Procedure currently provides that an indictment may be filed within six years of a crime being committed. Shortening the statute of limitations to five years results in minimal to no functional change. - HB 5143 and 5680, sponsored by state Rep. Tom Barrett, would have modified the exemption for alternative energy personal property and excluded placement of solar panels on residential real property from assessment of true cash value. In his veto letter, Snyder wrote that HB 5143 included several technical issues it failed to resolve including differential treatment based on the effective date of the bill. Although HB 5680 was more straightforward and acceptable, due to the tie-bar, it too was returned without approval. - HB 5634, sponsored by state Rep. Julie Alexander, would have eliminated prohibitions on window tinting and obstruction of a driver's vision. In his veto letter, Snyder wrote that the bill would have increased the potential risk of harm to law enforcement personnel, particularly when approaching a vehicle during traffic enforcement stops by making it more difficult for law enforcement personnel to view a vehicle's interior and contents, including the number and location of occupants inside the vehicle. - HBs 5916 and 5917, sponsored by state Rep. Hank Vaupel, would have clarified pet shop regulations in the sale of dogs and prohibited local governments from enacting or enforcing an ordinance, policy, resolution or rule regulating a qualified pet shop. In his veto letter, Snyder wrote that any concerns these bills might have addressed are manifestly local in nature and local officials should be afforded the discretion to address them. - HB 6205, sponsored by state Rep. Dan Lauwers, would have modified the Animal Industry Act. In his veto letter, Snyder wrote that language was added at the last-minute that was already vetoed in Senate Bill 660, so House Bill 6205 is being vetoed for the same reason. - HBs 6206-6210 and 6211-6214 and 6216 would have modified the Animal Industry Act. In his veto letter, Snyder wrote that since these bills were all tie-barred to House Bill 6205, which he previously vetoed, none of the bills would take effect. - HB 6499, sponsored by state Rep. John Reilly, would have increased the number of children receiving care at certain child care institutions. In his veto letter, Snyder wrote that increasing the capacity and concentration of fostered youths would negatively impact the goals of providing foster youth care. - HBs 6549 and 6550, sponsored by state Rep. Bronna Kahle, would have exempted certain aviation equipment from sales tax and use tax. In his veto letter, Snyder wrote that he vetoed identical legislation on Oct. 16, 2018 and is therefore vetoing this legislation again. For additional information on this and other legislation, visit www.legislature.mi.gov. Published: Thu, Jan 03, 2019