Appropriations committee advances $41.8 million in Natural Resources Trust Fund grants after adopting ban on large-scale solar on trust lands

The Michigan House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday voted to report House Bill 43 92, a supplemental appropriation of $41,800,000 from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund, to finance 85 approved projects for land acquisition and outdoor recreation development across the state.

The Trust Fund appropriation was supported in testimony by bill sponsor Representative Andrew Borton and Austin Scott of the House Fiscal Agency, who described the Trust Fund as constitutionally financed by revenues from oil and gas leases and severance taxes on state-owned lands and intended to expand public access to parks, trails and wildlife habitat. "Approving this legislation now ensures that projects approved for 2025 can move forward without delay," Scott said.

Committee members heard that the package includes 17 land acquisition projects totaling $19,300,000 and 68 development projects totaling $22,500,000. Committee testimony said the grant recipients will provide matching funds that, combined with the Trust Fund awards, bring total project costs to about $94,100,000, with $52,300,000 in local and state matching funds.

The committee debated several floor amendments before advancing the bill. Representative Price moved an…