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 amendment to appropriate $129,000,000 in federal funds; Representative Glanville moved an amendment to add $55,000,000 for Medicaid health-plan payments; Representative Rogers offered amendments allocating $100,000,000 to PIHPs (prepaid inpatient health plans) and a separate $10,000,000 for a statewide maternal-health network. All four of those amendments were rejected by recorded roll-call votes in committee.

Representative Beeson offered an amendment to prohibit use of Trust Fund money for large-scale solar or wind development on Trust Fund projects; the committee adopted that amendment by roll call (17 yeas, 3 nays, 9 passed). After the Beeson amendment passed, Representative Beeson moved to report House Bill 43 92 as amended (H-1 substitute); the committee approved that motion by roll call and reported the bill to the full House.

Committee discussion included a question from Representative Maddock about item No. 8, the Michigami Highlands conservation easement described in the project list as covering 73,000 acres. John Mays and Clay Summers of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources told the committee the line item is a conservation easement on privately owned corporate timberland that will provide public recreational access while the corporation retains timber management and harvesting rights. "The easement is going to provide public recreational access, both motorized and non‑motorized," Mays said. He confirmed the easement would not prohibit the timber owner from managing and harvesting timber according to the easement terms.

Committee members also asked whether solar or other non‑recreation development could be permitted on easement lands; DNR staff responded that specific easement language determines allowable uses and that the department could specify restrictions when negotiating agreements.

Votes at a glance: - Representative Price amendment to appropriate $129,000,000 in federal funding — not adopted (12 yeas, 16 nays). Recorded yes votes included Representative Farhat, O'Neil, Rogers, Glanville, Martis, McKinney, Morgan, Price, Snyder, Longjohn and others; no votes included Chair Bolin and a majority of the committee. - Representative Glanville amendment to add $55,000,000 for Medicaid services — not adopted (12 yeas, 17 nays). - Representative Rogers amendment for $100,000,000 for PIHPs — not adopted (12 yeas, 17 nays). - Representative Rogers amendment for $10,000,000 for the SOS maternal network — not adopted (12 yeas, 17 nays). - Representative Beeson amendment to prohibit Trust Fund spending on large‑scale solar or wind on Trust Fund projects — adopted (17 yeas, 3 nays, 9 passed). - Motion to report House Bill 43 92 as H‑1 substitute (Beeson) — approved (roll call recorded in committee; bill reported to the House).

Why it matters: the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund is a constitutionally dedicated funding source for land acquisition and outdoor recreation; timely appropriation allows local and state projects to begin construction in the coming building season, supporters said. Committee testimony emphasized the program’s role in expanding recreation access, improving wildlife habitat and generating local jobs.

What’s next: House Bill 43 92, as amended, was reported out of the House Appropriations Committee for consideration by the full House. The DNR and project sponsors will proceed with planning and execution for approved acquisitions and development projects once appropriations are finalized.

Sources: committee testimony from Representative Andrew Borton and Austin Scott (House Fiscal Agency); Michigan Department of Natural Resources representatives John Mays and Clay Summers; committee roll-call proceedings.