CONSERVATION & REC. ACCOUNTS H.B. 5870 (S-1): FLOOR ANALYSIS
House Bill 5870 (Substitute S-1 as reported)
Sponsor: Representative Randy Richardville
House Committee: Conservation and Outdoor Recreation
Senate Committee: Natural Resources and Environmental Protection
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to:
-- Provide in statute for the Conservation and Recreation Legacy Fund and the restricted accounts that House Joint Resolution (HJR) Z would create in the State Constitution.
-- Replace existing funds with the restricted accounts, and transfer to the accounts the balance of the existing funds on the bill's effective date.
-- Dedicate to the accounts the revenue that presently is credited to the existing funds.
-- Allow the accounts to be used for the same purposes for which the funds may be used, as well as (in most cases) grants to State colleges and universities to implement programs funded by the accounts.
-- Re-establish the existing Game and Fish Protection Trust Fund and the Nongame Fish and Wildlife Trust Fund as the Michigan Game and Fish Protection Trust Fund and the Michigan Nongame Fish and Wildlife Trust Fund, which H.J.Z. would create in the Constitution.
-- Refer to "wildlife and fisheries", rather than game, fish, birds, and fur-bearing animals, in Part 435 (Hunting and Fishing Licensing).
The bill is tie-barred to HJR Z, which would have to be submitted to the voters at the 2006 general election if approved by a two-thirds majority of each house of the Legislature.
MCL 324.301 et al. Legislative Analyst: Suzanne Lowe
FISCAL IMPACT
House Bill 5870 (S-1) and House Joint Resolution Z (S-2) would have no direct fiscal impact on State or local government. No license or permit fees would be changed. For the past few years of declining State revenue, restricted funds sources have been used in place of General Fund dollars. These uses have included the appropriation of fund balances to the General Fund. Establishing the funds and accounts in the State Constitution would limit the expanding uses of the revenue.
Date Completed: 12-6-04 Fiscal Analyst: Jessica Runnels
floor\hb5870 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.
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. hb5870/0304