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MichiganHB 46942025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Local government: authorities; revisions to the recreational authorities act; provide for. Amends secs. 5, 7, 11 & 21 of 2000 PA 321 (MCL 123.1135 et seq.) & adds secs. 5a, 9a & 10. TIE BAR WITH: HB 4695'25, HB 4798'25Last Action: assigned PA 12'26 with immediate effect

Sponsored By: Gregory Markkanen (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Local government: authoritiesRecreation: other

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.

Recreation board members can receive pay

Recreation authority board members can receive pay when the authority's governing articles approve it. The law sets no pay amount. Members remain entitled to reimbursement for reasonable work expenses, including travel approved beforehand by the board.

Public forests gain local revenue tools

These tools apply to recreation authorities located entirely within one county with fewer than 4,000 people. If their governing articles allow it, authorities can manage sustainable commercial forestry and sell carbon or other environmental credits or tax attributes. Articles for authorities with public forests can also allow or require payments to local governments in place of taxes. Payments are divided using each taxing unit's share of the forest area and its property tax rate. The specified school operating tax rate is excluded, and the law sets no payment amount.

Small counties gain more recreation options

In Michigan counties with fewer than 4,000 people, one municipality or district can form a recreation authority alone. Elsewhere, at least two are generally needed. Authorities can include public forests and natural resources areas among their purposes. Authorities located entirely within one qualifying small county gain operating powers when their governing articles allow them. These include managing or selling property, hiring workers, accepting grants, creating support funds, and sharing money with participating municipalities. The law provides no funding itself.

Small-county recreation users can face fees

Recreation authorities located entirely within one county with fewer than 4,000 people can charge fees if their governing articles allow them. Fees can cover access to or use of property the authority owns or manages. Authorities can also charge for services and expenses they incur. The law sets no fee amount and does not require charges.

Local taxes can fund public forests

Recreation authorities can use voter-approved property taxes to buy, operate, maintain, and improve public forests and natural resources areas. The tax remains capped at 1 mill for 20 years, with majority approval required in each participating municipality. Ballots must state the amount, duration, and purpose; certification is due 60 days before the election. The same proposal can face voters no more than twice per calendar year. Authorities can also borrow for forest land and improvements, with total borrowing and outstanding bonds capped at 2 mills of district taxable value. A debt-payment tax lasting over five years needs majority voter approval in each participating municipality. Debt belongs to the authority, not participating municipalities, and tax proceeds are restricted to authorized purposes rather than general municipal or school operations, except contracted authority management.

Closing authorities must protect public forests

When a recreation authority closes, its assets generally go to participating municipalities unless its governing articles provide otherwise. Multi-municipality authorities entirely within one county under 4,000 people can set asset-sharing rules in their articles. Existing authorities' articles still govern asset division when they address it. Municipalities assume authority debts only by agreement; otherwise, debts must be paid or settled before closure. Designated public forest land must stay in that use, limiting how municipalities can use inherited land. Land returns to Michigan if municipalities stop that use or give up their rights to it; existing third-party rights remain protected.

Small counties can limit forest uses

These options apply to recreation authorities located entirely within one county with fewer than 4,000 people. Their governing articles can limit authority activities, including sales of public property. Authorities with public forests can also limit uses of some or all of that land. The articles can set a process for adding, changing, or removing those limits. The law does not impose any specific restriction.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Gregory Markkanen

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 227 • No: 13

House vote • 5/12/2026

roll call

Yes: 103 • No: 2 • Other: 5

Senate vote • 4/30/2026

PASSED; GIVEN IMMEDIATE EFFECT

Yes: 28 • No: 9

House vote • 9/18/2025

passed; given immediate effect

Yes: 96 • No: 2 • Other: 12

Actions Timeline

  1. assigned PA 12'26 with immediate effect

    5/14/2026House

  2. filed with Secretary of State 05/14/2026 10:36 AM

    5/14/2026House

  3. approved by the Governor 05/14/2026 09:34 AM

    5/14/2026House

  4. presented to the Governor 05/12/2026 04:32 PM

    5/13/2026House

  5. bill ordered enrolled

    5/12/2026House

  6. title amendment agreed to

    5/12/2026House

  7. roll call Roll Call #136 Yeas 103 Nays 2 Excused 0 Not Voting 5

    5/12/2026House

  8. Senate substitute (S-1) concurred in

    5/12/2026House

  9. laid over one day under the rules

    4/30/2026House

  10. returned from Senate with substitute (S-1) with immediate effect and title amendment

    4/30/2026House

  11. RETURNED TO HOUSE

    4/30/2026Senate

  12. TITLE AMENDED

    4/30/2026Senate

  13. PASSED; GIVEN IMMEDIATE EFFECT ROLL CALL # 80 YEAS 28 NAYS 9 EXCUSED 0 NOT VOTING 0

    4/30/2026Senate

  14. PLACED ON ORDER OF THIRD READING WITH SUBSTITUTE (S-1)

    4/29/2026Senate

  15. SUBSTITUTE (S-1) CONCURRED IN

    4/29/2026Senate

  16. REPORTED BY COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE FAVORABLY WITH SUBSTITUTE (S-1)

    4/29/2026Senate

  17. REFERRED TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE WITH SUBSTITUTE (S-1)

    3/4/2026Senate

  18. REPORTED FAVORABLY WITH SUBSTITUTE (S-1) 3/3/2026

    3/3/2026Senate

  19. REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

    9/22/2025Senate

  20. PASSED BY HOUSE WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT

    9/22/2025House

  21. transmitted

    9/18/2025House

  22. passed; given immediate effect Roll Call #220 Yeas 96 Nays 2 Excused 0 Not Voting 12

    9/18/2025House

  23. read a third time

    9/18/2025House

  24. placed on immediate passage

    9/18/2025House

  25. placed on third reading

    9/18/2025House

Bill Text

  • Public Act

    5/14/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by the House

    5/12/2026

    PDF

  • House Concurred

    5/12/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by the Senate

    4/30/2026

    PDF

  • Introduced

    6/26/2025

    PDF

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