HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND OUTDOOR RECREATION
REP. GARY HOWELL
CHAIR
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, March 17, 2022
10:30 AM
Room 307, House Office Building
The House Committee on Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation was called to order by
Chair Howell.
The Chair requested attendance be called:
Present: Reps. Howell, Markkanen, LaFave, Wakeman, Martin, Sowerby, Cambensy,
Aiyash.
Absent: Rep. Eisen.
Excused: Rep. Eisen.
Representative Markkanen joined the committee remotely.
The Chair laid HB 5642 before the committee:
HB 5642
(Rep. Brixie)
A bill to designate the black swallowtail butterfly
as the official butterfly of the state of Michigan.
Representative Brixie, Monica Taylor and Jeanette Meyer, both representing the Michigan
Garden Club, testified in support of HB 5642. Questions and discussion followed.
Susan Leahy, representing the Meridian Garden Club, testified in support of HB 5642.
Keira Voldeck, representing the Okemos Public Montessori School, testified in support of HB
5642. Questions and discussion followed
The following person submitted a card with a neutral position on HB 5642, but did not wish
to speak:
Taylor Ridderbusch, representing the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
The following people submitted a card in support of HB 5642, but did not wish to speak:
Christian Doxie, representing the Okemos Public Montessori School.
Allie Panagopoulos, representing the Okemos Public Montessori School.
Hudson Winn, representing the Okemos Public Montessori School.
Autumn Fluker, representing the Okemos Public Montessori School.
Jennifer Muffett, representing the Okemos Public Montessori School.
Ethan Muffett, representing the Okemos Public Montessori School.
Shulawn Doxie, representing the Okemos Public Montessori School.
Keira Heie, representing the Okemos Public Montessori School.
William Doxie, Jr., representing the Okemos Public Montessori School.
Brian Winn, representing the Okemos Public Montessori School.
Greg Panagopoulos, representing the Okemos Public Montessori School.
Ellen Hoekstra, representing the private citizen.
Amy Trotter, representing the Michigan United Conservation Clubs.
Tim Minotas, representing the Sierra Club.
Cinny Gould, representing the Lowell Showboat Garden Club.
David Drain, representing the Lowell Showboat Garden Club.
Carol McGregor, representing the Lowell Showboat Garden Club.
Karla Labby, representing the MGC, KGC and Chula Vista Garden Club.
Rosemary LaDuke, representing the Michigan Garden Clubs and the Plainwell Parks and
Recreation Commission.
Jean Goetz, representing the Meridian Garden Club.
The Chair laid HB 5631 before the committee:
HB 5631
(Rep. Cherry)
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled "Natural
resources and environmental protection act,"
(MCL 324.101 to 324.90106) by adding section
40503.
Representative Cherry and Al Stewart, the Director of Nimrod Education Center, Hillsdale
College, testified in support of HB 5631. Questions and discussion followed.
Glen Blackwood, representing the Ruffed Grouse Society, testified in support of HB 5631.
Taylor Ridderbusch and Jared Duquette, representing the Michigan Department of Natural
Resources, testified in opposition to HB 5631. Questions and discussion followed.
The following people submitted a card in support of HB 5631, but did not wish to speak:
Scot Williamson, representing the Wildlife Management Institute.
Brian Vigue, representing the Audubon Great Lakes.
Representative Wakeman moved to excuse Representative Eisen from the meeting. There
being no objection the motion prevailed by unanimous consent.
Representative Wakeman moved to adopt the meeting minutes from March 10, 2022. There
being no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent.
There being no further business before the committee, Chair Howell adjourned the meeting at
11:28 AM.
Representative Gary Howell, Chair
Molly Wingrove
Committee Clerk
mwingrove@house.mi.gov