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House Natural Resource Tourism Committee reports two bills, delays vote on a third
Summary
The Michigan House Committee on Natural Resource Tourism voted to report House Bill 4,421 as H-2 and House Bill 4,073 as H-1, and postponed a vote on House Bill 4,427. Both reported bills include substitutes that would limit use of the open-fields doctrine and change warrant rules for agent entry onto private property.
The House Committee on Natural Resource Tourism on Tuesday voted to advance two bills and postponed action on a third.
The committee voted 10-4, with one pass, to report House Bill 4,421 as H-2. The panel also voted 10-3, with two passes, to report House Bill 4,073 as H-1. The committee postponed a vote on House Bill 4,427, saying changes were pending and the item would return at a future meeting.
Both reported measures include substitute language offered in committee. The substitute for House Bill 4,421 would, according to committee discussion, require a warrant for agents to enter private property unless exigent circumstances exist and changes the terminology in the bill from "officer/employee" to "agent." The substitute for House Bill 4,073 would prohibit use of the open fields doctrine by the department referenced in the bill.
Committee members recorded their votes individually during roll call. For HB 4,421 the clerk announced a tally of 10 yays, 4 nays and 1 pass; for HB 4,073 the clerk announced a tally of 10 yays, 3 nays and 2 passes. The transcript records the motion to adopt substitutes and the subsequent motions to report the bills with committee recommendations (H-2 for HB 4,421 and H-1 for HB 4,073).
Committee staff read into the record written and oral testimony received at an earlier hearing on HB 4,421. The record included opposition from Logan Voorhe of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters and testimony from Greg Eagle of Michigan Resource Stewards (via Zoom). The committee also recorded support letters and testimony from Sony Cook and Tim Golding of Americans for Prosperity and from JB Kavanaugh of the Pacific League of Legal Foundation; staff said their written letter was provided to committee members.
Chair Martin, Vice Chair Saint Germain and other committee members handled roll-call votes and motions on the floor. Representative Hoadley moved to adopt the substitute on HB 4,421; Representative Preston moved to adopt the substitute on HB 4,073. The clerk conducted the roll calls and announced the results as noted above.
Committee members set the next committee meeting for October 1, to occur after session. There was no further committee business and the committee adjourned.
Ending: The committee did not take additional testimony at this session; several supporters and opponents who had testified previously were entered into the record via written submissions or prior testimony.
