DNR Letterhead

BILL ANALYSIS

BILL NUMBER: HOUSE BILL 5125, AS ENROLLED

PUBLIC ACT 237 of 2006

TOPIC: Transfer authority to NRC for establishing special watercraft controls

SPONSOR: Representative Hansen

CO-SPONSORS: Representatives Stakoe, Garfield, Green, Vander Veen, Casperson, Stahl, Hildenbrand, Taub and Marleau

COMMITTEE: Great Lakes, Land Use, and Environment

Analysis Done: June 19, 2006

POSITION

The Department is neutral on the bill.

PROBLEM/BACKGROUND

The Department is involved with approximately 20 requests per year from local units of government seeking special watercraft controls for local waters. Part 801 provides for an investigation of the need for special controls and includes holding public hearings in the affected area when such controls are considered necessary. Typically, about half of the requests actually result in special regulations.

DESCRIPTION OF BILL

HB 5125 would amend Part 801 by establishing statutory criteria for the Department to use in evaluating the need for special watercraft controls for a specific body of water. This legislation makes several changes to the process for enacting local watercraft controls, including requirements for the Department to hold public hearings for all resolutions received from local government seeking watercraft controls.

SUMMARY OF ARGUMENTS

Pro

This bill establishes statutory criteria for evaluating the need for special watercraft controls. This should assist with providing clarity and more realistic expectations at the local level when special controls are warranted.

Con

Requires the Department to hold public hearings for proposals which do not meet the criteria for special controls.

FISCAL/ECONOMIC IMPACT

Are there revenue or budgetary implications in the bill to the --

(a) Department

Budgetary:

There will be increased costs to the Marine Safety Fund to conduct additional public hearings.

Revenue:

None

Comments:

None

(b) State

Budgetary:

None

Revenue:

None

Comments:

None

(c) Local Government

Comments:

None

OTHER STATE DEPARTMENTS

None

ANY OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION

None

ADMINISTRATIVE RULES IMPACT

None

_______________________________

Rebecca A. Humphries

Director

_______________________________

Date

LED