2011 Senate Bill 248 / 2012 Public Act 240

Limit state government land ownership

Introduced in the Senate

March 9, 2011

Introduced by Sen. Tom Casperson (R-38)

To cap the amount of state-owned Department of Natural Resources land at 4,475,000 acres, and require the DNR to post on its website how much land it owns.

Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, Environment, and Great Lakes

June 7, 2011

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

June 16, 2011

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises details, including the size of the ownership cap.

The substitute passed by voice vote

June 22, 2011

Substitute offered by Sen. Rebekah Warren (D-18)

To adopt a version that reflects Democratic members' preferences for a less stringent cap and divestment policy.

The substitute failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Sen. Tom Casperson (R-38)

To allow the DNR to use methods other than appraisal to determine land sale prices.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the Senate 24 to 14 (details)

To cap the amount of state-owned Department of Natural Resources land at 4,650,000 acres, with some exceptions; require the DNR to post on its website how much land it owns; and require land the DNR received through the delinquent tax reversion process to be auctioned if it can't be sold within six months.

Received in the House

June 22, 2011

Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation

June 5, 2012

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-4) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

June 12, 2012

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that applies the northern portion of proposed land caps only to the Upper Peninsula.

The substitute failed by voice vote

Substitute offered by Rep. Harold Haugh (D-42)

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that does not include an acreage cap.

The substitute failed by voice vote

Substitute offered by Rep. Frank Foster (R-107)

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that also imposes a 3,910,000 acreage cap on land north of a line between Mason and Arenac counties.

The substitute passed by voice vote

June 13, 2012

Passed in the House 58 to 52 (details)

To cap the amount of state-owned Department of Natural Resources land at 4,650,000 acres, with some exceptions, and not more than 3,910,000 acres north of a line between Mason and Arenac counties. Also, to require the DNR to post on its website how much land it owns and to develop a strategic plan to guide the acquisition and disposition of state lands.

Received in the Senate

June 13, 2012

Passed in the Senate 24 to 12 (details)

To concur with the House-passed version of the bill.

Signed by Gov. Rick Snyder

June 28, 2012