The bill amends the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, specifically sections 503 and 2132, to enhance the management and conservation of Michigan's natural resources. It establishes the department's responsibility to protect and conserve state natural resources, develop outdoor recreation facilities, and prevent pollution of lakes and streams. New requirements include considering public access, potential natural resource industries, and the impact on private property when designating or classifying land. Additionally, the bill mandates the development of a strategic plan for land acquisition and management, which must be submitted to the legislature for approval and updated every six years. Significant changes include clarifying terms like "forestland" and requiring the department to declare surplus land if state-managed land exceeds 50% of the land in a public corporation.

Furthermore, the bill addresses the sale of surplus land and the management of revenues from related contracts. It ensures that revenues to the natural resources trust fund from contracts are not less than what would have been received without those contracts and clarifies the allocation of funds from the sale of economic shares of royalty interests. The bill introduces a requirement for the department to conduct a public auction of surplus land online within 180 days of the bill's effective date and establishes a clear timeline for processing applications for land purchases. It emphasizes prioritizing local units of government in land transactions while ensuring transparency and fairness in all sales.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 324.503, 324.2132