Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

SENATE BILL NO. 1178
     December 04, 2024, Introduced by Senator HERTEL and referred to the Committee on Veterans
       and Emergency Services.
          A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled
    "Natural resources and environmental protection act,"
    by amending sections 74116 and 78119 (MCL 324.74116 and 324.78119),
    section 74116 as amended by 2016 PA 1 and section 78119 as amended
    by 2013 PA 81.
                     THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
       Sec. 74116. (1) Subject to subsection (4), the operator of a
 nonresident motor vehicle or commercial motor vehicle shall not
 enter any state park with that motor vehicle unless a valid motor
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 vehicle park permit issued under section 74117 is affixed to the
 lower right-hand corner of the windshield. An annual motor vehicle
 park permit for a nonresident motor vehicle shall be affixed
 permanently for that year. The department shall post signs at parks
 that state that a motor vehicle park permit is required for entry
 by a nonresident motor vehicle or commercial motor vehicle.
         (2) Subject to subsection (4), the operator of a resident
 motor vehicle shall not enter a state park with the resident motor
 vehicle unless the recreation passport fee has been paid for that
 motor vehicle. Payment of the recreation passport fee authorizes
 entry into all state parks and recreation areas and designated
 state-operated public boating access sites until expiration of the
 motor vehicle registration.
         (3) Subject to subsection (4), if the secretary of state
 issues registration tabs or stickers as described in section 805 of
 the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.805, the operator
 of a resident motor vehicle shall not enter a state park with the
 resident motor vehicle unless the resident motor vehicle has a
 registration tab or sticker marked as provided under that section
 to show that the recreation passport fee has been paid.
         (4) Subsections (1) to (3) do not apply under any of the
 following circumstances:
         (a) While the motor vehicle is being driven or parked within
 an established federal, state, or county highway within a state
 park.
         (b) If the motor vehicle is used in the operation or
 maintenance of a state park, is an emergency motor vehicle, is a
 state owned or law enforcement motor vehicle, or is a private motor
 vehicle being operated on official state business.
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       (c) If the motor vehicle is registered under section 803e(1)
 of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.803e, and is
 exempt under section 803e(6) of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA
 300, MCL 257.803e, from the registration tax, or if the motor
 vehicle is registered under section 217d or 803f of the Michigan
 vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.217d and 257.803f.
       (d) At a state-operated public boating access site or a state
 park where there is an opportunity to fish on a day that the
 department has designated as a free winter fishing day or a free
 fishing day under section 43534.
       (e) If and to the extent that the department waives the
 requirements for department-sponsored events or other circumstances
 as determined by the director or the director's designee.
       (f) If the motor vehicle appropriately displays, in a manner
 determined by the department of natural resources, a hangtag,
 sticker, or other type of form that identifies the owner or
 operator as a resident who is an honorably discharged veteran or
 actively serving military member. Upon the request of a resident,
 the department of military and veterans affairs shall verify the
 resident's status as an honorably discharged veteran or actively
 serving military member. After verification, the department of
 military and veterans affairs shall issue to the resident a
 hangtag, sticker, or other type of form agreed to by the department
 of natural resources for the purposes of this subdivision.
       Sec. 78119. (1) Subject to subsection (4), a person shall not
 enter, in a nonresident motor vehicle or commercial motor vehicle,
 a state-operated public boating access site designated under
 section 78105(2) without a valid pass affixed to the lower right-
 hand corner of the windshield. A seasonal pass shall be affixed
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 permanently for the season.
       (2) Subject to subsection (4), the operator of a resident
 motor vehicle shall not enter a state-operated public boating
 access site designated under section 78105(2) with the resident
 motor vehicle unless the recreation passport fee has been paid for
 that motor vehicle. Payment of the recreation passport fee
 authorizes entry into all state parks and recreation areas and
 designated state-operated public boating access sites until
 expiration of the motor vehicle registration.
       (3) Subject to subsection (4), if the secretary of state
 issues registration tabs or stickers as described in section 805 of
 the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.805, the operator
 of a resident motor vehicle shall not enter a designated state-
 operated public boating access site with the resident motor vehicle
 unless the resident motor vehicle has a registration tab or sticker
 marked as provided under that section to show that the recreation
 passport fee has been paid.
       (4) Subsections (1) to (3) do not apply under any of the
 following circumstances:
       (a) If the motor vehicle is used in the operation or
 maintenance of the public boating access site, is an emergency
 motor vehicle, is a state-owned or law enforcement motor vehicle,
 or is a private motor vehicle being operated on official state
 business.
       (b) If the motor vehicle is registered under section 803e(1)
 of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.803e, and is
 exempt under section 803e(6) of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA
 300, MCL 257.803e, from the registration tax, or if the motor
 vehicle is registered under section 217d or 803f of the Michigan
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 vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.217d and 257.803f.
       (c) At a state-operated public boating access site where there
 is an opportunity to fish on a day that the department has
 designated as a free winter fishing day or a free fishing day under
 section 43534.
       (d) (c) If and to the extent the department waives the
 requirements for department-sponsored events or other circumstances
 as determined by the director or the director's designee.
       (e) If the motor vehicle appropriately displays, in a manner
 determined by the department of natural resources, a hangtag,
 sticker, or other type of form that identifies the owner or
 operator as a resident who is an honorably discharged veteran or
 actively serving military member. Upon the request of a resident,
 the department of military and veterans affairs shall verify the
 resident's status as an honorably discharged veteran or actively
 serving military member. After verification, the department of
 military and veterans affairs shall issue to the resident a
 hangtag, sticker, or other type of form agreed to by the department
 of natural resources for the purposes of this subdivision.
       (5) A person who violates subsection (1), (2), or (3) is
 responsible for a state civil infraction and may be ordered to pay
 a civil fine of not more than $100.00. A person shall not be cited
 for a violation of both subsections (2) and (3) for the same
 incident.
       (6) In any proceeding for the violation of this part or a rule
 promulgated under this part, if a motor vehicle is found parked in
 a designated state-operated public boating access site, the
 registration plate displayed on the motor vehicle constitutes prima
 facie evidence that the owner of the motor vehicle was the person
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 who parked or placed it at the location where it was found.
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Statutes affected: 
Senate Introduced Bill: 324.74116, 324.78119