A bill that would have brought in millions to better maintain and manage Michigan’s state parks is dead at the end of the recent lame duck session.
While the Michigan State House is set reconvene on New Year’s Eve, lawmakers say no bills will be passed, meaning the Democratic Party’s two-year trifecta will come to a disappointing end for those looking to see last-second legislation get to the governor’s desk.
“Everything that was on the agenda in the House is dead,” House Speaker Pro Tem Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia) told reporters last week when the house adjourned.
This includes a bill that would have changed the registration structure for Michigan’s recreation passport, which allows vehicle access to state parks, recreation areas and boat access sites.
Currently, when a Michigander renews their license plate through the Secretary of State, they check a box to purchase the recreation passport — $14 for vehicles, $7 for mopeds and motorcycles. Around 38 percent of people in the state choose this option, providing the Michigan DNR with around $42 million in funding for park operations and maintenance, according to Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC).