Bill > HB4694

This bill amends the Recreational Authorities Act to allow one or more municipalities or districts to establish a recreational authority, particularly in counties with fewer than 4,000 residents, and clarifies that these authorities are governmental units. It expands the permissible purposes for recreational authorities to include public forest and natural resource areas, especially in smaller counties, and allows for specific management and use restrictions for these areas. The bill also modifies provisions regarding the articles of incorporation, board member qualifications and elections, the process for municipalities joining or leaving an authority, and the dissolution of authorities, ensuring that debts are settled and designated land uses, like public forests, are maintained. Additionally, it clarifies that recreational authorities can issue bonds and notes for various projects, including public forest and natural resource areas, and that these debts are the responsibility of the authority, not the participating municipalities. The bill also introduces provisions for committees and volunteer subcommittees to advise the board and allows for payments in lieu of taxes for public forest and natural resource areas in smaller counties.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Government Affairs

https://legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2025-HB-4694