HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND OUTDOOR RECREATION
REP. GARY HOWELL
CHAIR
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
12:00 PM
Room 326, House Office Building
The House Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation was called to
order by Chair Howell.
The Chair requested attendance be called:
Present: Reps. Howell, Wakeman, Calley, Reilly, Rendon, Eisen, Sowerby, Cambensy,
Pohutsky.
Absent/Excused: None.
Representative Cambensy moved to adopt the meeting minutes from March 3, 2020. There being
no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent.
The Chair laid HB 5496 before the committee:
HB 5496
(Rep. Howell)
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled
"Natural resources and environmental protection act," by
amending sections 11503 and 11504 (MCL 324.11503 and
324.11504), as amended by 2018 PA 640.
Representative Wakeman moved to adopt substitute (H-1) to HB 5496. The motion prevailed 9-
0-0:
FAVORABLE ROLL CALL
Yeas: Reps. Howell, Wakeman, Calley, Reilly, Rendon, Eisen, Sowerby, Cambensy,
Pohutsky.
Nays: None.
Pass: None.
Representative Rendon moved to refer House Bill No. 5496 to the Committee on Ways and
Means, with recommendation as substitute (H-1). The motion prevailed 9-0-0:
FAVORABLE ROLL CALL
Yeas: Reps. Howell, Wakeman, Calley, Reilly, Rendon, Eisen, Sowerby, Cambensy,
Pohutsky.
Nays: None.
Pass: None.
The following people submitted a card with a neutral position on HB 5496(H-1), but did not
wish to speak:
Charlotte Jameson, representing the Michigan Environmental Council.
Nick Occhipinti, representing the Michigan League of Conservation Voters.
The following people submitted a card in support of HB 5496 (H-1), but did not wish to speak:
Jack Schinderle & Sarah Howes, representing the Michigan Department of Environment,
Great Lakes & Energy.
Cathy Wilson, representing Consumers Energy.
Winston Feeheley, representing DTE Energy.
Jason Greer, representing the Michigan Chamber of Commerce.
The Chair laid SB 714 before the committee:
SB 714
(Sen. Victory)
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled
"Natural resources and environmental protection act," by
amending sections 32312, 32312a, and 32510 (MCL
324.32312, 324.32312a, and 324.32510), section 32312 as
amended by 2019 PA 84, section 32312a as added by 1997
PA 126, and section 32510 as added by 1995 PA 59, and by
adding sections 32312c and 32517.
The following people submitted a card in opposition to SB 714, but did not wish to speak:
Nick Occhipinti, representing the Michigan League of Conservation Voters.
Tim Minotas, representing the Sierra Club.
The Chair laid HB 5558, HB 5559 and HB 5560 before the committee:
HB 5558
(Rep. Howell)
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled
"Natural resources and environmental protection act," (MCL
324.101 to 324.90106) by adding sections 43528c and
43528d.
HB 5559
(Rep. Cherry)
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled
"Natural resources and environmental protection act," (MCL
324.101 to 324.90106) by adding sections 48714a and
48714b.
HB 5560
(Rep. Wakeman)
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451,
entitled "Natural resources and environmental protection
act," by amending section 40113a (MCL 324.40113a), as
amended by 2016 PA 382.
At 12:06 PM, the Chair laid the committee at ease.
At 12:07 PM, Representative Julie Calley called the committee back to order.
Chairman Howell testified in support of HB 5558, HB 5559 and HB 5560. Questions and
discussion followed.
Representative Cherry testified in support of HB 5558, HB 5559 and HB 5560. Questions and
discussion followed.
Representative Wakeman testified in support of HB 5558, HB 5559 and HB 5560. Questions and
discussion followed.
At 12:15 PM, Representative Julie Calley laid the committee at ease.
At 12:16 PM, the Chair called the committee back to order.
Amy Trotter, representing the Michigan United Conservation Clubs, testified in support of HB
5558, HB 5559 and HB 5560. Questions and discussion followed.
Mike Thorman, representing the Michigan Hunting Dog Federation, testified in support of HB
5558, HB 5559 and HB 5560.
Phil Hewitt, representing the Michigan Bear Hunters Association, testified in support of HB
5558, HB 5559 and HB 5560.
Gary Morgan testified in support of HB 5558, HB 5559 and HB 5560. Questions and discussion
followed.
Dale Hendershot, representing the Michigan Trappers & Predator Callers, testified in support of
HB 5558, HB 5559 and HB 5560.
The following people submitted a card in support of HB 5558, HB 5559 and HB 5560, but did
not wish to speak:
Kelly Hamilton, representing the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
There being no further business before the committee, Rep. Gary Howell adjourned the meeting
at 12:44 PM.
Representative Gary Howell, Chair
Amy Rostkowycz
Committee Clerk
arostkowycz@house.mi.gov