KALAMAZOO COUNTY CONVEYANCE

House Bill 6666

Sponsor:  Rep. Alexander Lipsey

Committee:  Regulatory Reform

Complete to 12-4-06

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 6666 AS INTRODUCED 11-28-06

The bill would authorize the conveyance of about 2.55 acres currently under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections to Western Michigan University for $1.  The property contains a large building that was previously used as a halfway house in the department's Community Residential Program.  Revenue received from the sale of the property would be deposited in the state treasury and credited to the general fund.

The property would have to be used exclusively for a public purpose; the same fees, terms, or conditions of use would have to apply to residents and nonresidents alike.  If used for any other purpose, the property would revert to the state.  The attorney general could bring an action to quiet title to, and regain possession of, the property if the grantee (Western Michigan University) disputed the state's right of reentry and failed to deliver possession of the property to the state.  The description of the property in the bill is approximate and subject to adjustments as considered necessary by survey or other legal description.  The Department of Attorney General would have to approve as to legal form and content the quitclaim deed authorized by the bill.

The state would not reserve oil, gas, or mineral rights to the property.  However, the conveyance would have to provide that if the purchaser or grantee developed any oil, gas, or minerals found on, within, or under the property, the state would have to be paid one-half of the gross revenue generated from that development.  The payment would be deposited in the Natural Resources Trust Fund.

The state would reserve all aboriginal antiquities, including mounds, earthworks, forts, burial and village sites, mines, or other relics, lying on, within, or under the property, with power to the state and all others acting under its authority to enter the property for any purpose related to exploring, excavating, and taking away the aboriginal antiquities.  

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would not have a significant fiscal impact to the state or local units of government.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Susan Stutzky

                                                                                                   Fiscal Analyst:   Al Valenzio

■ 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.