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SB 862

Appropriations: department of natural resources; appropriations for fiscal year 2026-2027; provide for. Creates appropriation act.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by John Cherry

SB 862 funds the Michigan DNR for FY 2026-27, adding about $52M in net state spending and targeting capital projects, program shifts, and revenue-aligned allocations.

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Bill Summary · SB 862

Summary of SB 862 (2025-2026, Michigan) — Appropriations: Department of Natural Resources; FY 2026-27

Purpose and broad intent

  • SB 862 is an appropriation bill establishing the operating and capital funding for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027, and provides for the expenditure of those appropriations.
  • The bill reflects the Senate Appropriations Committee’s recommended budget for the Natural Resources portfolio, including adjustments to align spending with policy priorities and revenue changes.

Key provisions and changes

  • Overall funding and structure

    • The bill shows the DNR’s gross spending and the composition of funding from general funds (GF), federal funds, local/private sources, and other restricted funds, with line-item detail across programs and activities.
    • The FY 2026-27 proposed gross appropriation for DNR is roughly $597.7 million, with about $61.7 million inGF/GP (General Fund/General Purpose) after adjustments.
    • Net effect on total state spending for the department is an increase of about $52.0 million from FY 2025-26 (year-to-date to the recommended appropriation).

  • Programmatic and capital adjustments

    • Recreation Improvement Fund alignment: Senate aligns funding to recognize 2% of new revenue from PA 2025 gas tax increases for recreation-related needs.
    • State Parks Repair and Maintenance capital outlay: Includes funding for state park repairs and maintenance, with a revised capitalization/appropriation schedule.
    • CSB (Consolidated SBR) Technical adjustments: $4.0 million to align spending authorities due to higher-than-expected revenues; reallocation of funds within the agency’s structure, including shifting resources among divisions such as law enforcement and internal transfers.
    • Snowmobile Trail Improvement: $1.8 million restricted to Snowmobile trail improvements, preserving permit-venue revenue estimates.
    • Silver Lake State Park Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) area: Funds moved to support ORV-related line items to ensure compliance with a 1994 agreement.
    • Wetland Restoration, Enhancement, and Acquisition: $500,000 restricted to support wetland-related restoration and acquisition activities.
    • Kirtland’s Warbler Management: $150,000 from the Kirtland Warbler Fund to aid land management decisions pertinent to the warbler’s habitat.

  • New and adjusted program funding

    • Game and Fish License Fees: About $29.4 million in restricted authorization tied to fee increases and adjustments contemplated in SBs 276 and 277.
    • Michigan History Center Operations: $436,200 restricted funding to support additional FTEs.
    • Detroit River boating access expansion: $271,300 restricted to support St. Jean Boat Launch improvements along the Detroit River.
    • Whitefish Recovery program: $100,000 per year earmarked for potential whitefish stocking recovery initiatives.

  • One-time provisions and eliminations

    • Removes FY 2025-26 one-time and supplemental appropriations (totaling about $13.8 million in various categories) as part of normal annualization.
    • Various new or ongoing economic adjustments totaling about $5.55 million gross and $889k GF/GP, plus other targeted program increases.

Affected entities and stakeholders

  • Michigan Department of Natural Resources and its divisions (including law enforcement, parks, wildlife, fisheries, and forest/water resources programs).
  • State parks system (maintenance, repairs, and capital improvements).
  • Recreation/conservation finance streams (Recreation Improvement Fund, ORV, wetland programs, and park-related licensing).
  • External partners and funds, such as the Kirtland Warbler Fund and the Michigan History Center.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • The bill's fiscal year is aligned to the FY 2026-27 budget cycle.
  • As of the latest actions, SB 862 has passed the Senate Appropriations Committee with a substitute (S-1), with a motion for immediate effect and referral to the Committee of the Whole.
  • The accompanying analysis indicates year-to-date and recommended changes, including several new boilerplate provisions for SFROF/expenditure deadlines and reporting.

Overall, SB 862 is a comprehensive funding package for the DNR that incorporates revenue-based adjustments, targeted capital investments, and programmatic reallocations to support core natural resources and recreation priorities in Michigan.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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