Environment (Public Lands)

HB 4641 would remove a prohibition preventing dark sky preserves in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The bill amends Section 75102 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to eliminate subsection (2), which currently bans such preserves in that region. This change would allow local governments and park authorities in the Upper Peninsula to establish dark sky preserves on public lands, aligning with existing designations elsewhere in Michigan. The bill does not create new preserves but removes a barrier to future designations in the Upper Peninsula.

SB 26 amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to clarify rules for public agencies managing municipal forestland sold under specific state land programs. It requires public agencies to use such land only for forestry or recreation, and if sold later, mandates a public hearing and specifies that 50% of sale proceeds must go to the state treasury (first $18 million to the general fund, excess to the fire protection fund). This directly affects public agencies like municipalities or school districts that own forestland previously acquired for recreational or forestry purposes. The bill updates procedural requirements for land sales and fund distribution without changing the core purpose of the land use.

HB 4401 removes the expiration date for Michigan's annual pheasant hunting license requirement, which was set to end on January 1, 2026. The bill maintains the current $25 fee for the license and keeps existing exemptions, such as for hunters on private land (outside hunting access programs), at licensed preserves, in the Upper Peninsula, or holding lifetime licenses. It also preserves the existing funding mechanism, directing license fees into a dedicated pheasant subaccount for purchasing and releasing pheasants on state land. The change ensures the licensing rule remains in effect indefinitely without altering other provisions of the law.

SB 63 amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to explicitly include state departments as eligible recipients of funds from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund. This change allows state agencies, such as the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, to apply directly for grants to acquire land for recreation or environmental protection, or to develop public recreation facilities. Previously, the law did not explicitly list state departments as recipients, though they could sometimes participate under broader provisions. The amendment ensures state agencies can now access these funds for projects that protect natural resources and improve public outdoor access.