Michigan Votes Forum

Introduced in the Senate on January 13, 2010, to replace existing state park and boating resident access site fees with the voluntary annual $10 vehicle registration surcharge ($5 for motorcycles) on non-commercial vehicles proposed by Senate Bill 389. The Department of Natural Resources would be required to devise an alternative method for selling state park and boating access access passes to residents in addition to this annual fee

The vote was 23 in favor, 11 opposed and 4 not voting

(Senate Roll Call 49 at Senate Journal 0)

Click here to view bill details.

One of the better ideas to come out of Lansing. I support this bill.

 Where is this $10 fee in the Bill? All I could find for resident under 65 is $24. Problem with this bill, like any other fee or tax, It can be increased by a "commission"-named by politicians.

 Why not issue a card type pass rather than a "sticker"? This would eliminate people with two cars, but who drive only one at a time for recreational purposes, from having to purchase two "stickers". The cards could be numbered and that number entered on the form that you have to fill out at the unattended park sites. This would save families extra expense, but then that is hardly the goal of politicians, is it.

albaby2:

  Why not issue a card type pass rather than a "sticker"? This would eliminate people with two cars, but who drive only one at a time for recreational purposes, from having to purchase two "stickers".  ... This would save families extra expense ... 

I am inclined to like this alternative.  The windshield decal has bugged me for decades, as an inconvenience and unnecessary expense if I want flexibility. 

I'd gladly pay the full shot -- say $25 or so -- for the card type pass, for the convenience.  This actually would cost me more per year than shelling out the optional $10 per vehicle registration, but I really don't mind that because it provides me greater flexibility.  Besides, I think our state parks are wonderful places worthy of public (taxpayer) support.  (Of course, I also may have overlooked a point or two regarding overall revenue while focusing on my own convenience here.)

 

albaby2:

Where is this $10 fee in the Bill?

From the floor summary:

Senate Bill 389 (H-2) would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code effective October 1, 2010, to provide for a State park and State-operated public boating access site recreation passport that a Michigan resident could obtain by paying an additional fee when registering a motor vehicle. The fee would be $5 for a motorcycle and $10 for all other resident motor vehicles.

 

By voluntarily paying $10 more when renewing your automobile registration, one would not have to be bothered with a sticker or card for state park admittance. You could purchase for just one auto, if that is the one you use exclusively for visiting state parks, or purchase for more than one, still only $20 for two vehicles, less than the present $24 for one annual sticker. No paying with envelope if the park is unmanned. Sounds convenientto me, and I predict the state would see increased revenue, since more people would opt for the $10 than paying a daily fee for infrequent visits.

gypsy:

By voluntarily paying $10 more when renewing your automobile registration, one would not have to be bothered with a sticker or card for state park admittance.

What if I decide to walk, or boat in?

 

 

As far as I know, there is no charge for walking into a state park. I have some experience with state operated marina's. There is a charge for dockage rental which is not connected to vehicle passes. There is no charge I am aware of to beach your boat at a state park beach, out of the swimming area obviously.