HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND TOURISM
REP. DAVID MARTIN
CHAIR
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
10:30 AM
Room 352, State Capitol
Building
The House Committee on Natural Resources and Tourism was called to order by Chair Martin.
The Oversight Subcommittee on the Weaponization of State Government was meeting jointly with
the Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture and Rural Development and Natural Resources
and the Committee on Natural Resources and Tourism.
The Chair requested attendance to be called:
Present: Reps. Martin, St. Germaine, VanderWall, Outman, Hoadley, Johnsen, Prestin,
Bohnak, Fairbairn, Wortz, McFall, Weiss, Arbit, Foreman, Myers-Phillips and Wooden.
Absent: Rep. Scott.
Excused: Rep. Scott.
Representative St. Germaine moved to adopt the meeting minutes from June 04, 2025. There being
no objection, the motion prevailed with unanimous consent.
Chair Martin, Chair Rigas, and Chair Borton made remarks to the committees.
The Chair laid a presentation on Michigan Department of Natural Resources Accountability
before the committee.
Ted Nugent testified regarding his own experiences with the Michigan Department of Natural
Resources.
Joseph O'Leary, representing the Prosecuting Attorney for Baraga County, Roger Turnen, a farmer
from L’Anse, and Greg Johnson, representing the Bear Mountain Lodge in Negaunee, testified
regarding their experiences with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Questions and
discussion followed.
Cody Wehner, representing Superior Wildlife Adventures, testified regarding his experiences with
the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Questions and discussions followed.
Representative Beson testified regarding the experiences of deer processors with the Michigan
Department of Natural Resources.
Ted Nugent returned to answer questions from the committees.
The following people submitted a card but did not wish to speak:
Aaron Rice and Curt Albright, representing the Prairie Water User Group.
At 11:44 AM, the Chair laid the committee at ease.
At 12:03 PM, the Chair called the committee back to order.
The Chair laid HB 4385 before the committee:
HB 4385
(Rep. Andrews)
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
2021 PA 91, section 32312a as added by 1997
PA 126, and section 32510 as added by 1995
PA 59, and by adding section 32510a.
Representative St. Germaine moved to adopt substitute (H-2) to HB 4385. The motion prevailed
15-1-0:
FAVORABLE ROLL CALL
Yeas: Reps. Martin, St. Germaine, VanderWall, Outman, Hoadley, Johnsen, Prestin, Bohnak,
Fairbairn, Wortz, McFall, Weiss, Arbit, Foreman and Wooden.
Nays: Rep. Myers-Phillips.
Pass: None.
Representative Outman offered the following amendment to HB 4385:
1. Amend page 5, line 2, after "part," by inserting "or if a local unit of government is subject to
a county zoning ordinance that is in effect as of January 1, 2025, and after January 1, 2025,
the local unit of government adopts a local zoning ordinance that is consistent with this
part,".
Representative Martin moved to adopt the amendment to HB 4385. The motion did not prevail
2-9-5:
UNFAVORABLE ROLL CALL
Yeas: Reps. Outman and Hoadley.
Nays: Reps. Martin, St. Germaine, VanderWall, Johnsen, Prestin, Bohnak, Fairbairn, Wortz
and Myers-Phillips.
Pass: Reps. McFall, Weiss, Arbit, Foreman and Wooden.
Representative St. Germaine moved to report out HB 4385 with recommendation that the
substitute (H-2) be adopted. The committee further recommended that the bill and substitute (H-2)
be referred to the Committee on Rules. The motion prevailed 10-2-4:
FAVORABLE ROLL CALL
Yeas: Reps. Martin, St. Germaine, VanderWall, Outman, Hoadley, Johnsen, Prestin, Bohnak,
Fairbairn and Wortz.
Nays: Reps. Foreman and Myers-Phillips.
Pass: Reps. McFall, Weiss, Arbit and Wooden.
The following people submitted a card wishing to speak in opposition to HB 4385, but due to the
time constraints were unable to speak:
Representative Timmy Beson.
Nichole Keway Biber, representing Clean Water Action.
The following people submitted a card in opposition to HB 4385, but did not wish to speak:
Paula Bowman and Denise Hartsough, representing the League of Women Voters.
Joanne Wisley, representing the Michigan Townships Association.
The following people submitted a card in support of HB 4385, but did not wish to speak:
Herasanna Richards, representing the Michigan Municipal League.
Dawn Crandall, representing the Home Builders Association of Michigan.
The Chair laid a presentation on State Licensed Commercial Fishermen before the committee.
Scott Everett, representing the Michigan Fish Producers Association, gave a presentation on
commercial fishing in Michigan. Questions and discussions followed.
Dustin McMurry, representing the Big Stone Bay Fishery, testified regarding the commercial
fishing industry. Questions and discussions followed.
Mike Burda, representing the Carlson’s Fish Market out of Leland, testified regarding the
commercial fishing industry. Questions and discussions followed.
Steven Ruleau, representing the Ruleau Bros Commercial Fisherman out of Cedar River, testified
regarding the commercial fishing industry. Questions and discussions followed.
Jack Cross, representing the Cross Fishery out of Charlevoix, testified regarding the commercial
fishing industry. Questions and discussions followed.
Representative Morgan testified regarding his experiences with the commercial fishing industry.
Representative Wortz moved to excuse Representative Scott 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 1:07
PM.
Representative David Martin, Chair
Taylor Thrush
Committee Clerk
tthrush@house.mi.gov