HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND OUTDOOR RECREATION
REP. GARY HOWELL
CHAIR
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, June 17, 2021
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, Eisen, Wakeman, Martin, Sowerby,
Cambensy, Aiyash.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
Representative Cambensy moved to adopt the meeting minutes from June 10, 2021. There
being no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent.
The Chair laid before the Committee a presentation by Karen Middendorp, Executive
Director, Michigan Snowmobile and ORV Association. Questions and discussion followed.
The Chair laid HB 4535 and HB 4536 before the committee:
HB 4535
(Rep. Borton)
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled "Natural
resources and environmental protection act," by
amending sections 82101 and 82110 (MCL
324.82101 and 324.82110), section 82101 as
amended by 2020 PA 385 and section 82110 as
amended by 2004 PA 587, and by adding section
82163.
HB 4536
(Rep. Borton)
A bill to amend 1961 PA 236, entitled "Revised
judicature act of 1961," by amending section 8831
(MCL 600.8831), as added by 1995 PA 54.
Representative Sowerby moved to adopt substitute (H-2) to HB 4535. The motion prevailed
9-0-0:
FAVORABLE ROLL CALL
Yeas: Reps. Howell, Markkanen, LaFave, Eisen, Wakeman, Martin, Sowerby, Cambensy,
Aiyash.
Nays: None.
Pass: None.
Representative Borton testified in support of HB 4535 and HB 4536. Questions and
discussion followed.
Karen Middendorp, representing the Michigan Snowmobile and Off Road Vehicle
Association (MISORVA), testified in support of HB 4535 and HB 4536. Questions and
discussion followed.
Jim Kelts, representing the Michigan Snowmobile and Off Road Vehicle Association
(MISORVA), testified in support of HB 4535 and HB 4536.
Paul Anderson, representing himself, testified in support of HB 4535 and HB 4536. Questions
and discussion followed.
Jenny Marr, representing the Michigan Library Association, testified in opposition to HB
4535 and HB 4536. Questions and discussion followed.
Craig Brunet, Ron Olson and Lt. David Shaw, representing the Department of Natural
Resources, testified with a neutral position on HB 4535 and HB 4536. Questions and
discussion followed.
Representative Markkanen moved to report out HB 4535 with recommendation, as substitute
(H-2). The motion prevailed 9-0-0:
FAVORABLE ROLL CALL
Yeas: Reps. Howell, Markkanen, LaFave, Eisen, Wakeman, Martin, Sowerby, Cambensy,
Aiyash.
Nays: None.
Pass: None.
Representative Eisen moved to report out HB 4536 with recommendation. The motion
prevailed 9-0-0:
FAVORABLE ROLL CALL
Yeas: Reps. Howell, Markkanen, LaFave, Eisen, Wakeman, Martin, Sowerby, Cambensy,
Aiyash.
Nays: None.
Pass: None.
The Chair laid HB 4980 before the committee:
HB 4980
(Rep. VanSingel)
A bill to amend 1949 PA 300, entitled "Michigan
vehicle code," by amending section 626a (MCL
257.626a).
Representative VanSingel testified in support of HB 4980. Questions and discussion
followed.
Representative LaFave moved to adopt substitute (H-1) to HB 4980. The motion prevailed 8-
0-0:
FAVORABLE ROLL CALL
Yeas: Reps. Howell, LaFave, Eisen, Wakeman, Martin, Sowerby, Cambensy, Aiyash.
Nays: None.
Pass: None.
Dave Martel, representing the Silver Lake Recreation Area, testified in support of HB 4980.
Craig Brunet, representing the Department of Natural Resources, testified with a neutral
position on HB 4980. Questions and discussion followed.
Representative LaFave moved to report out HB 4980 with recommendation, as substitute (H-
1). The motion prevailed 6-0-2:
FAVORABLE ROLL CALL
Yeas: Reps. Howell, LaFave, Eisen, Wakeman, Martin, Cambensy.
Nays: None.
Pass: Reps. Sowerby, Aiyash.
The following person submitted a card in support of HB 4980, but did not wish to speak:
Karen Middendorp, representing the Michigan Snowmobile and ORV Association.
There being no further business before the committee, Chair Howell adjourned the meeting at
11:52 AM.
Representative Gary Howell, Chair
Molly Wingrove
Committee Clerk
mwingrove@house.mi.gov