Snyder signs legislation bolstering ­investments in natural resources, ­outdoor recreation development projects

Outdoor recreation development and land acquisition projects will receive increased funding under legislation signed last week by Gov. Rick Snyder.

“Michigan’s natural resources are one of our state’s greatest assets, and it’s important that we continue to make smart investments to strengthen, develop and protect these resources,” Snyder said.

Senate Bill 76, sponsored by state Sen. Darwin Booher, permits fiscal year 2017 supplemental appropriations for the Department of Natural Resources, funding land acquisition and outdoor recreation development projects in 87 communities across the state supported by the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund. It is now Public Act 93 of 2017.

Snyder also signed 13 additional bills:

• Senate Bill 160, sponsored by state Sen. Tom Casperson, adjusts the current definition of an autocycle by redefining the equipment that is required on a motorcycle for it to be considered an autocycle. It is now Public Act 94 of 2017.

• Senate Bill 219, sponsored by state Sen. Mike Green, makes modifications to the Concealed Pistol Licensing application and licensing process. Modifications include requiring a county sheriff to notify the county clerk if an individual is ineligible for a CPL and prohibiting a county clerk from issuing a CPL unless the Michigan State Police or the county sheriff has determined the applicant is not prohibited under federal law from possessing or transporting a firearm. It is now Public Act 95 of 2017.

• Senate Bill 245, sponsored by state Sen. Rick Jones, eliminates current law prohibiting the sale or possession of spring-assisted knives, also referred to as “switchblades”. It is now Public Act 96 of 2017.

• Senate Bill 248, sponsored by state Sen. Rebekah Warren, creates a new commission within the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs charged with planning, developing and executing programs and activities to commemorate the centennial of World War I. It is now Public Act 97 of 2017. 

• Senate Bill 249, sponsored by state Sen. Mike Shirkey, creates a new Educational Instruction Access Act, which limits the ability for local governing bodies to restrict the sale, transfer, lease, or rental of property for educational purpose by an educational institution or private school. It is now Public Act 98 of 2017.

• Senate Bill 260, sponsored by state Sen. Dave Hildenbrand, extends the sunset allowing the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to continue collecting certain fees from both in-state and out-of-state educational institutions that offer distance education courses and programs. It is now Public Act 99 of 2017.

• Senate Bill 267, sponsored by state Sen. Judy Emmons, extends the sunset on the Student Safety Act from October 1, 2017 to October 1, 2021. The Act helps provide an anonymous hotline for students to report threats of violence. It is now Public Act 100 of 2017.

• Senate Bill 333, sponsored by state Sen. Rick Jones, makes amendments to the jurisdiction of business courts, specifying that business courts have authority over business and commercial disputes that seek declaratory and equitable relief rather than just monetary damages. It is now Public Act 101 of 2017.

• Senate Bill 380, sponsored by state Sen. Dave Hildenbrand, makes amendments to the statutory deadlines related to personal property tax reimbursements to local governments. This change accommodates the extended deadline for employers with eligible manufacturing personal property to file for personal property tax exemptions. It is now Public Act 102 of 2017.

• Senate Bill 383, sponsored by state Sen. Rick Jones, amends the Child Identification and Protection Act to modify the procedure for fingerprinting and photographing a child or youth with special health care needs. The bill specifies that certain conditions that apply to fingerprinting a child or youth with special health care needs would not apply to a child or youth without special health care needs. It is now Public Act 103 of 2017.  

• Senate Bill 394, sponsored by state Sen. Peter MacGregor, extends the sunset that requires the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to continue paying the cost for certain services provided by private foster care providers until September 30, 2018. It is now Public Act 104 of 2017.

• Senate Bill 433, sponsored by state Sen. Rick Jones, amends the Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act to meet federal background check requirements. The bill requires fingerprints be submitted to the Michigan State Police and FBI for background checks and outlines the process for taking the fingerprints and the reimbursement of costs. It is now Public Act 105 of 2017.

• House Bill 4759, sponsored by state Rep. Andy Schor, authorizes the Department of Technology, Management and Budget (DTMB) to sell the Farnum Building and its adjacent parking lot currently owned by the Michigan Senate for a fair market value. It is now Public Act 106 of 2017.

For more information on this and other legislation, visit www.legislature.mi.gov.