2017 Senate Bill 409 / 2018 Public Act 18

Allow private Great Lakes harbor leases

Introduced in the Senate

May 30, 2017

Introduced by Sen. Tom Casperson (R-38)

To authorize 50 year "bottomland" leases to owners of single-family homes on Great Lakes shorelines who want to create a private, non-commercial, recreational harbor formed by a breakwater. Owners would have to pay 1 percent of the state equalized property value in an up-front lump sum payment every 25 years. The money would go into a segregated account that pays for parts of the Department of Environmental Quality's operations.

Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

June 15, 2017

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the bill pass.

Sept. 6, 2017

Substitute offered by Sen. Rebekah Warren (D-18)

To adopt a version of the bill that would instead authorize grants to remove breakwaters.

The substitute failed 13 to 25 (details)

Passed in the Senate 26 to 12 (details)

Received in the House

Sept. 6, 2017

Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

Dec. 6, 2017

Reported without amendment

Without amendment and with the recommendation that the bill pass.

Jan. 18, 2018

Amendment offered by Rep. David Maturen (R-63)

To refine the definition of state equalized property value as used in the bill.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Gary Howell (R-82)

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 59 to 48

To authorize 50 year "bottomland" leases to owners of single-family homes on Great Lakes shorelines who want to create a private, non-commercial, recreational harbor formed by a breakwater. Owners would have to pay 1 percent of the state equalized property value in an up-front lump sum payment every 25 years. The money would go into a segregated account that pays for parts of the Department of Environmental Quality's operations.

Received in the Senate

Jan. 24, 2018

Passed in the Senate 23 to 14 (details)

To concur with the House-passed version of the bill.

Signed by Gov. Rick Snyder

Feb. 12, 2018