In an effort to authorize local units of government to impose “fees for activities such as prevention, control or eradication of aquatic invasive species, using a boat launch or a boat washing station, or parking a motor vehicle and trailer used to haul a boat”, Michigan State Senator Tom Casperson (Escanaba) will re-introduce Senate Bill 1091 in the new session of the state legislature which will begin in early January 2015.
The proposed legislation would authorize local units of government to pass ordinances to collect boat launching fees at municipality and township owned public boat launch facilities. Launch fees under the new law could not exceed $10.00 per day for each boat or $45.00 per boat annually. Fees collected under local ordinances would be restricted to funding activities associated with the prevention, control or eradication of aquatic invasive species. Lake managers, pesticide applicators or others engaged in aquatic invasive species management would be exempt from paying the local launch fees. The proposed legislation would not allow local governments to impose fees at Michigan Department of Natural Resources owned public boat launch facilities.
To download and read Senate Bill 1091 as it was originally introduced in the State Senate, click here….