Steve Cortes, CNN Political Commentator (left) & Bill Schuette, Michigan House Representative (right) | LinkedIn
Steve Cortes, CNN Political Commentator (left) & Bill Schuette, Michigan House Representative (right) | LinkedIn
Legislation introduced by State Representative Bill G. Schuette has progressed through the Michigan House with strong bipartisan support. The bill aims to address financial fairness for property owners in Midland and Gladwin counties, as well as across the state.
Under current regulations, lands owned by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are exempt from special assessments like drain assessments unless specified otherwise. This exemption results in a financial burden being shifted onto local property owners, communities, or counties.
House Bill 4118, proposed by Schuette, seeks to allow county drain commissioners to apply drain assessments to DNR-managed properties similarly to how they assess private or other state-owned properties. Schuette pointed out that properties managed by the Michigan Department of Transportation can already be assessed under existing laws, and his legislation would create consistency regarding DNR properties.
“This issue sounds abstract but has real consequences,” stated Schuette during his speech on the House floor. “In my district, the Curtis Drain cuts across Midland and Gladwin counties and needs serious maintenance. But because the drain mainly falls along DNR-managed property, the costs of assessment fall disproportionately and dramatically on just a few local farmers whose properties narrowly touch the drain."
Schuette further emphasized that "the DNR refusing to pay their fair share drives up costs for Michiganders across our two peninsulas. This policy is about fairness to Michigan property owners. It’s time to send the DNR’s exemption down the drain.”
The bill will now proceed to the Senate for further consideration.
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