Appropriations: department of natural resources; appropriations from the natural resources trust fund; provide for. Creates appropriation act.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Greg Alexander and 14 co-sponsors

The bill uses MNRTF restricted funds plus local matches to fund specific land acquisitions and outdoor recreation projects in Michigan.

assigned PA 21'25 with immediate effect

#appropriations:departmentofnaturalresources

Main purpose / intent

Enacted as Public Act 21 of 2025 (effective October 7, 2025), HB 4392 implements the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Board’s FY 2024‑25 grant recommendations by appropriating MNRTF restricted revenue for specified land acquisition and outdoor recreation development projects administered by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and local grant recipients.

Key provisions and changes

Appropriates $41,766,000 from the MNRTF for FY 2024‑25 capital outlay (Part 1).

17 acquisition projects (total MNRTF share ≈ $19.3 million).
68 development projects (total MNRTF share ≈ $22.5 million).

Reports matching contributions by local governments/nonprofits of $52,286,727, producing total project costs of $94,052,727.

Boilerplate provisions include:

Sec. 201: Totals for payments to local units of government.
Sec. 202: Appropriations subject to the Management and Budget Act.
Sec. 203: Prohibits MNRTF funds in Part 1 from being used for utility‑scale solar or wind development projects.
Sec. 301: Requires grant agreements between DNR and local units/qualifying nonprofits, specifying required terms.
Sec. 302: Authorizes unexpended MNRTF funding to be carried forward consistent with Sec. 248 of the Management and Budget Act.
Sec. 303: Identifies withdrawn projects so prior appropriations may lapse once projects are completed or terminated.

Who is affected

Primary recipients: Department of Natural Resources, local units of government, qualifying nonprofits awarded MNRTF grants.

Beneficiaries: Michigan residents — via added or protected public lands, enhancements to parks, trails, boat launches, campgrounds, and wildlife management areas.

Funding source: MNRTF restricted revenue (not GF/GP).

Fiscal and constitutional context

MNRTF revenue historically comes from bonuses, rentals, delayed rentals, and royalties related to extraction leases of state land. Proposal 2020‑1 changed deposit rules and the relationship with the Michigan State Parks Endowment Fund (MSPEF); ongoing constitutional requirements direct at least 25% of annual MNRTF revenue for acquisition and at least 25% for development.

For FY 2023‑24 revenue, $47.0 million was available for expenditure; this appropriation uses $41.766M, leaving funds for PILT and fees.

Notable projects (examples)

Little Huron River acquisition (Marquette Co.) — Trust Fund share $1,175,000 (total cost shown higher in project listing: $6,175,000).

Michigamme Highlands conservation easement — $4,200,000 (trust fund share listed in line items).

City of Burton Community Park acquisition — Trust Fund $1,275,000.

Legislative timeline / status

Filed/introduced spring 2025; House substitute (H‑1) adopted; House passed May 14, 2025 (immediate effect). Senate passed October 3, 2025. Presented to Governor Oct 6, 2025; approved Oct 7, 2025. Assigned PA 21 of 2025, effective October 7, 2025.

This bill implements the MNRTF Board’s recommendations to fund specific land acquisition and recreation development projects across Michigan, using MNRTF restricted revenue and local matching funds, with statutory terms governing grant administration, carry‑forwards, and project lapses.

Bill