HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND TOURISM
REP. DAVID MARTIN
CHAIR
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Noon.
Room 519, House Office
Building
The House Committee on Natural Resources and Tourism was called to order by Chair Martin.
The Chair requested attendance to be called:
Present: Reps. Martin, St. Germaine, VanderWall, Outman, Hoadley, Johnsen, Prestin,
Bohnak, Fairbairn, McFall, Scott, Weiss, Foreman, Myers-Phillips and Wooden.
Absent: Reps. Wortz and Arbit.
Excused: Reps. Wortz and Arbit.
Representative Johnsen moved to adopt the meeting minutes from May 20, 2026. There being no
objection, the motion prevailed with unanimous consent.
The Chair laid HB 5307 before the committee:
HB 5307
(Rep. VanderWall)
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled "Natural
resources and environmental protection act,"
by amending section 40118 (MCL
324.40118), as amended by 2023 PA 55.
Representative Vanderwall testified in support of HB 5307. Questions and discussions followed.
Chris Semrinec and Captain David Malloch, representing the Michigan Department of Natural
Resources, testified in support of HB 5307. Questions and discussions followed.
The Chair laid HB 4783, HB 4784, HB 4785 and HB 4786 before the committee:
HB 4783
(Rep. Bohnak)
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled "Natural
resources and environmental protection act,"
by amending sections 48701, 48703, and
48703a (MCL 324.48701, 324.48703, and
324.48703a), section 48701 as amended by
2008 PA 291, section 48703 as amended by
2018 PA 529, and section 48703a as amended
by 2016 PA 382.
HB 4784
(Rep. Markkanen)
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled "Natural
resources and environmental protection act,"
by amending sections 40110, 40110a, 40110b,
and 40113a (MCL 324.40110, 324.40110a,
324.40110b, and 324.40113a), section 40110
as amended by 2016 PA 382, section 40110a
as added by 2010 PA 366, section 40110b as
added by 2012 PA 520, and section 40113a as
amended by 2023 PA 222.
HB 4785
(Rep. Fairbairn)
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled "Natural
resources and environmental protection act,"
by amending sections 301, 40102, and 40103
(MCL 324.301, 324.40102, and 324.40103),
section 301 as amended by 2018 PA 240,
section 40102 as amended by 2015 PA 24, and
section 40103 as amended by 2016 PA 382.
HB 4786
(Rep. Prestin)
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled "Natural
resources and environmental protection act,"
(MCL 324.101 to 324.90106) by adding
section 501b.
Representative Bohnak, Representative Prestin, Representative Fairbairn, and Representative
Markkanen testified in support of HB 4783, HB 4784, HB 4785 and HB 4786. Questions and
discussions followed.
Nichole Keway Biber, representing themselves, as a tribal liaison of the Little Travers Bay Bands
of Odawa Indians, testified in opposition to HB 4783, HB 4784, HB 4785 and HB 4786. Questions
and discussions followed.
Chris Semrinec and Craig Brunet, representing the Michigan Department of Natural Resources,
testified in opposition to HB 4783, HB 4784, HB 4785 and HB 4786. Questions and discussions
followed.
The following person submitted a card in support of HB 4783, HB 4784, HB 4785 and HB 4786,
but did not wish to speak:
Deena Bosworth, representing the Michigan Association of Counties.
The following people submitted a card in opposition to HB 4783, HB 4784, HB 4785 and HB
4786, but did not wish to speak:
Mike McCoy, representing the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.
Logan Vorce, representing the Michigan League of Conservation Voters.
Beatrice Friedlander, representing Attorneys for Animals.
Emily Smith, representing the Michigan Environmental Council.
Mitchell Nelson, representing Humane World for Animals.
Representative St. Germaine moved to excuse Representatives Wortz and Arbit from the meeting.
There being no objection the motion prevailed by unanimous consent.
There being no further business before the committee, Chair Martin adjourned the meeting at
12:52 PM.
Representative David Martin, Chair
Taylor Thrush
Committee Clerk
tthrush@house.mi.gov