HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND TOURISM
REP. DAVID MARTIN
CHAIR
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
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, Wortz, McFall, Scott, Weiss, Arbit, Foreman and Wooden.
Absent: Rep. Myers-Phillips.
Excused: Rep. Myers-Phillips.
Representative St. Germaine moved to adopt the meeting minutes from June 25, 2025. There being
no objection, the motion prevailed with unanimous consent.
The Chair laid HB 4743 before the committee:
HB 4743
(Rep. Woolford)
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled "Natural
resources and environmental protection act,"
by amending section 74116 (MCL
324.74116), as amended by 2016 PA 1.
Representative Woolford testified in support of HB 4743. Questions and discussions followed.
Chris Semrinec, representing the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, testified with no
position on HB 4743. Questions and discussions followed.
Nichole Fisher, representing mParks, testified with no position on HB 4672, HB 4673 and HB
4743.
Michael Greene, representing the American Legion Department of Michigan, testified in support
of HB 4673. Questions and discussions followed.
The Chair laid HB 4694 and HB 4695 before the committee:
HB 4694
(Rep. Markkanen)
A bill to amend 2000 PA 321, entitled
"Recreational authorities act," by amending
sections 5, 7, 9, 11, and 21 (MCL 123.1135,
123.1137, 123.1139, 123.1141, and 123.1151),
sections 5 and 21 as amended by 2003 PA 135
and section 11 as amended by 2016 PA 173,
and by adding section 10.
HB 4695
(Rep. Markkanen)
A bill to amend 2000 PA 321, entitled
"Recreational authorities act," by amending
sections 1 and 3 (MCL 123.1131 and
123.1133), section 3 as amended by 2016 PA
174.
Representative Markkanen testified in support of HB 4694 and HB 4695.
Rich Bowman, representing The Nature Conservancy, testified in support of HB 4694 and HB
4695. Questions and discussions followed.
The Chair laid HB 4673 and HB 4672 before the committee:
HB 4673
(Rep. Markkanen)
A bill to amend 1949 PA 300, entitled
"Michigan vehicle code," by amending section
805 (MCL 257.805), as amended by 2021 PA
96.
HB 4672
(Rep. Steele)
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled "Natural
resources and environmental protection act,"
by amending sections 74116 and 78119 (MCL
324.74116 and 324.78119), section 74116 as
amended by 2016 PA 1 and section 78119 as
amended by 2013 PA 81.
Chris Semrinec, representing the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, testified with no
position on HB 4672 and HB 4673.
The committee returned to consideration of HB 4694 and HB 4695.
The following people submitted a card in support of HB 4694 and HB 4695, but did not wish to
speak:
Nancy Leonard, representing the Michigan Nature Association.
Jimmy Johnsen, representing the Michigan Association of Counties.
Nichole Fisher, representing mParks.
Jerald Wuorenmaa, representing the Western U.P. Planning and Development Region.
Chris Semrinec, representing the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Robin Meneguzzo, representing the Keweenaw Community Foundation.
Sean Gohman, representing the Keweenaw National Historical Parks Advisory Commission.
The following person submitted a card with a neutral position on HB 4694 and HB 4695, but did
not wish to speak:
Emily Smith, representing the Michigan Environmental Council.
The Committee returned to the consideration of HB 4672 and HB 4673
Representative Steele and Representative Markkanen testified in support of HB 4672 and HB
4673. Questions and discussions followed.
Representative Johnsen moved to excuse Representative Myers-Phillips 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 1:11
PM.
Representative David Martin, Chair
Taylor Thrush
Committee Clerk
tthrush@house.mi.gov