(Source: MIRS.news, Published 12/5/2024) The three-bill package designed to raise more revenue for state parks would require drivers to opt-out of the recreational passport when renewing their vehicle tabs every year.  

The bills HB 5428 , sponsored by Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Okemos), HB 5873 and HB 6219 , both sponsored by Rep. Denise Mentzer (D-Mount Clemens), were moved to the House floor for a vote on Thursday. Brixie was late to testify because she was at a second hearing. 

“This is lame duck. I hardly ever testify before a committee, and of course today I have two at the same time,” she said. 

She testified that the level of visitors to parks had risen from 28 million to more than 35 million during the COVID-19 pandemic. After the pandemic, the numbers didn't go back down. 

“People who weren’t using the parks before discovered them, but life being a double-edged sword, it is a strain on our parks, and we need to figure out a way to properly maintain them and improve the infrastructure to handle this increased participation,” she said. 

The recreational passport started as an optional $10 fee for drivers when renewing their vehicle tabs. With the cost of inflation, the tabs are expected to be $15 this coming year. 

The committee also moved the bill that would make the recreational passport something that people in the state would have to opt out of instead of opting in. 

A newly introduced HB 6219 also hit the committee running. The bill provides an exemption for veterans and active duty military from having to buy a recreational passport to use the state parks. 

“We know that our veterans typically report higher rates of mental health struggles and that activity and being outdoors improve physical and mental health outcomes. This is a way that we can expand their access to public benefits that support their well-being without raising taxes,” Mentzer said.