Natural Resources

Specifies restrictions that apply to wake boarding or wake surfing on a public freshwater lake. Establishes a penalty. Specifies restrictions that apply to wake boarding or wake surfing on a small lake.

Prohibits a municipality from charging parking fees at a municipally owned parking lot at a municipal park beach on Lake Michigan, unless the municipality has: (1) a lifeguard on duty at the beach during the hours that swimming is allowed; and (2) public rescue equipment installed on any pier or public access site of the municipality. Allows a municipality to charge parking fees without satisfying the lifeguard requirement while notes, bonds, leases, or other obligations are outstanding that the municipality: (1) issued, incurred, or entered into before July 1, 2026; and (2) pays or pledged to pay from parking fee revenues. Prohibits a municipality from pledging or using parking fees to pay bonds, leases, or other debt obligations issued, incurred, or entered into after June 30, 2026.

Defines "prescribed burn". Provides for the following: (1) Requirements to be met before a person conducts a prescribed burning. (2) That a certified prescribed burn manager and a completed prescribed burn plan must be present during a prescribed burning. (3) Certain civil liability immunities related to conducting a prescribed burn and the prescribed burn certification program. (4) Under certain conditions, exemption of prescribed burning from certain local regulations. (5) That a prescribed burning and the smoke produced by the prescribed burning do not constitute a nuisance. (6) That the division of forestry shall administer the training and certification program for prescribed burning. Limits damages for injuries or losses as result of a prescribed burn to actual damages.

Provides that 13 specified areas within certain state forests are "designated wild areas". Specifies certain activities that are prohibited or allowed within a designated wild area. Establishes responsibilities for the department of natural resources and divisions that manage designated wild areas.

SB 32 requires the Department of Natural Resources to create a pilot program aimed at preventing chronic wasting disease (CWD) in deer populations. The bill directly affects deer management practices and potentially hunters or landowners in areas where CWD is present. Key provisions include establishing this pilot program to test methods for controlling the disease, though specific strategies are not detailed in the abstract. The bill is currently in committee referral after its introduction by Senator Glick on January 8, 2025.