HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT, TOURISM AND OUTDOOR
RECREATION
REP. LAURIE POHUTSKY
CHAIR
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, May 23, 2024
10:30 AM
Room 327, House Office Building
The House Committee on Natural Resources, Environment, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation
was called to order by Chair Pohutsky.
The Clerk read in a letter from Speaker Tate appointing Representative Xiong to the
committee.
The Chair requested attendance be called:
Present: Reps. Pohutsky, Hill, Arbit, McFall, Paiz, Xiong, Martin, Prestin.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
Representative Xiong moved to adopt the meeting minutes from March 7, 2024. There being
no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent.
The Chair laid SB 662 before the committee:
SB 662
(Sen. Bayer)
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled "Natural
resources and environmental protection act," by
amending sections 30701, 30716, and 30717
(MCL 324.30701, 324.30716, and 324.30717),
section 30701 as added by 1995 PA 59, section
30716 as amended by 2002 PA 216, and section
30717 as amended by 2002 PA 217.
Chloe Grabowski, representing the office of Senator Bayer, testified in support of SB 662.
Stacy Hissong, representing the Michigan Association of County Drain Commissioners,
testified in support of SB 662. Questions and discussion followed.
Luke Trumble and Sydney Hart, both representing the Michigan Department of Environment,
Great Lakes and Energy, testified in support of SB 662. Questions and discussion followed.
Eric Ostergen, County Commissioner of Roscommon County, testified in opposition of SB
662. Questions and discussion followed.
Greg Semack, representing the Higgins Lake Property Owners Association, testified in
opposition to SB 662.
Nichole Keway Biber, representing Clean Water Action, testified in support of SB 662.
The following people submitted a card in support of SB 662, but did not wish to speak:
Bret Maur, representing the Michigan Boating Industries Association.
Jim Nash, the Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner.
Tim Minotas, representing the Sierra Club Michigan.
Emily Smith, representing the Michigan Environmental Council.
Nick Occhipinti, representing the Michigan League of Conservation Voters.
David Lossing, representing the Huron River Watershed Council.
The following people submitted a card in opposition to SB 662, but did not wish to speak:
Bob Frye, representing the Michigan Waterfront Alliance.
Sam Boumis, representing the Higgins Lake Property Owners Association.
The Chair laid HB 5737 before the committee:
HB 5737
(Rep. Aiyash)
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled "Natural
resources and environmental protection act," by
amending sections 43517 and 43520 (MCL
324.43517 and 324.43520), section 43517 as
amended by 2018 PA 399 and section 43520 as
amended by 2018 PA 4.
Representative Aiyash testified in support of 5737. Questions and discussion followed.
Taylor Ridderbusch, representing the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and
Sergeant Mike Mshar testified in support of HB 5737. Questions and discussion followed.
Mike Thorman, representing the Michigan Hunting Dog Federation, testified in support HB
5737.
Justin Tomei, representing the Michigan United Conservation Clubs, testified in support of
HB 5737.
Representative McFall moved to adopt substitute (H-1) to HB 5737. The motion prevailed 8-
0-0:
FAVORABLE ROLL CALL
Yeas: Reps. Pohutsky, Hill, Arbit, McFall, Paiz, Xiong, Martin, Prestin.
Nays: None.
Pass: None.
Representative Hill moved to report out HB 5737 with recommendation, as substitute (H-1).
The motion prevailed 8-0-0:
FAVORABLE ROLL CALL
Yeas: Reps. Pohutsky, Hill, Arbit, McFall, Paiz, Xiong, Martin, Prestin.
Nays: None.
Pass: None.
There being no further business before the committee, Chair Pohutsky adjourned the meeting
at 11:48 AM.
Representative Laurie Pohutsky, Chair
Legan Rose
Committee Clerk
LRose@house.mi.gov