HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND OUTDOOR RECREATION
REP. GARY HOWELL
CHAIR
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, December 3, 2020
8:30 AM
Room 519, 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, Wakeman, Reilly, Rendon, Eisen, Sowerby, Pohutsky.
Absent: Reps. Calley, Cambensy.
Excused: Reps. Calley, Cambensy.
Representative Wakeman moved to adopt the minutes from the September 23rd, 2020
meeting. There being no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent.
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.
Amber Vrooman, representing the Office of Senator Victory, testified in support of SB 714.
Questions and discussion followed.
Travis Boeskool, representing the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy,
testified in support of SB 714.
The following person submitted a card in opposition to SB 714, but did not wish to speak:
Joe Fedewa, representing the Michigan League of Conservation Voters.
Representative Eisen moved to adopt substitute (H-3) to SB 714. The motion prevailed 7-0-0:
FAVORABLE ROLL CALL
Yeas: Reps. Howell, Wakeman, Reilly, Rendon, Eisen, Sowerby, Pohutsky.
Nays: None.
Pass: None.
Representative Eisen moved to refer Senate Bill No. 714 to the Committee on Ways and
Means, with recommendation as substitute (H-3). The motion prevailed 5-2-0:
FAVORABLE ROLL CALL
Yeas: Reps. Howell, Wakeman, Reilly, Rendon, Eisen.
Nays: Reps. Sowerby, Pohutsky.
Pass: None.
The Chair laid HB 6321 before the committee:
HB 6321
(Rep. Cherry)
A bill to amend 1976 PA 442, entitled "Freedom of
information act," by amending section 13 (MCL
15.243), as amended by 2018 PA 68.
Representative Cherry testified in support of HB 6321. Questions and discussion followed.
The following person submitted a card in support of HB 6321, but did not wish to speak:
Craig Brunet, representing the Department of Natural Resources.
Representative Sowerby moved to refer House Bill No. 6321 to the Committee on Ways and
Means. The motion prevailed 6-1-0:
FAVORABLE ROLL CALL
Yeas: Reps. Howell, Wakeman, Rendon, Eisen, Sowerby, Pohutsky.
Nays: Rep. Reilly.
Pass: None.
The Chair laid HB 6466 before the committee:
HB 6466
(Rep. VanSingel)
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled "Natural
resources and environmental protection act," by
amending section 2150 (MCL 324.2150), as
amended by 2012 PA 603.
Representative VanSingel testified in support of HB 6466. Questions and discussion
followed.
Craig Brunet and Sharon Schafer, representing the Department of Natural Resources, testified
in support of HB 6466. Questions and discussion followed.
The following person submitted a card in support of HB 6466, but did not wish to speak:
David Maturen, representing the Michigan Lakes and Streams Association..
Representative Wakeman moved to refer House Bill No. 6466 to the Committee on Ways and
Means. The motion prevailed 7-0-0:
FAVORABLE ROLL CALL
Yeas: Reps. Howell, Wakeman, Reilly, Rendon, Eisen, Sowerby, Pohutsky.
Nays: None.
Pass: None.
The Chair laid HB 6316 before the committee:
HB 6316
(Rep. Albert)
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled "Natural
resources and environmental protection act," by
amending section 43527a (MCL 324.43527a), as
added by 2013 PA 108, and by adding section
43540f.
Representative Albert testified in support of HB 6316. Questions and discussion followed.
Craig Brunet and Dwayne Etter, representing the Department of Natural Resources Wildlife
Division, testified in opposition to HB 6316. Questions and discussion followed.
The following people submitted a card in support of HB 6316, but did not wish to speak:
Kelly Turner, representing the Potato Growers of Michigan.
Andrew Vermeecsh, representing the Farm Bureau.
Representative Wakeman moved to excuse Representatives Calley and Cambensy from the
meeting. There being no objection the motion prevailed by unanimous consent.
There being no further business before the committee, Chair Gary Howell adjourned the
meeting at 9:27 AM.
Representative Gary Howell, Chair
Amy Rostkowycz
Committee Clerk
arostkowycz@house.mi.gov