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HB 4135

Property: conveyance of state property; conveyance of certain state-owned property in Jackson County; provide for. Creates land transfer act.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Sarah Lightner

Authorizes conveyance of the 81-acre Dalton Road Landfill site to Jackson County first, with costs, reuse rules, and state revenue protections built in.

laid over one day under the rules
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Bill Summary · HB 4135

Summary — HB 4135 (Property Conveyance; Jackson County — Dalton Road Landfill)

Status: Introduced 2025; passed Michigan House June 5, 2025; passed Senate with amendment Nov. 13, 2025; returned to House (laid over one day under the rules).
Primary sponsor (House): Rep. Sarah Lightner. Primary sponsor (Senate/filing): Rep. Kam Buckner (as recorded). Related: SB 1669 (companion).

Purpose / Intent

Authorize the State Administrative Board, acting through the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget (DTMB), to convey an approximately 81.08-acre parcel in Leoni Township (Jackson County) — the former Dalton Road Landfill site (now under the Department of Corrections) — with priority consideration to Jackson County. The conveyance is intended to enable local management of landfill maintenance and leachate treatment, potentially reducing Jackson County operating costs.

Key provisions

  • Property described: ~81.078 acres (legal description in bill).
  • First offer: DTMB must first offer the property to Jackson County, which has a two‑year first right to acquire the parcel (or portions) for $1.00.
  • Alternatives if Jackson County declines within two years:
    • Competitive bid
    • Public auction
    • Use of real estate brokerage
    • Value-for-value exchange for other property
    • Sale to a local unit of government
    • Conveyance to a land bank authority
  • Conditions for conveyance at less than fair market value to a local unit:
    • Property must be used exclusively for a public purpose (list of eligible public uses provided).
    • DTMB retains a one‑year right of first refusal if the local unit later intends to sell; if State waives that right, the local unit must remit 100% of the difference between the State sale price and any subsequent third‑party sale price.
    • Purchaser must reimburse the State at closing for demonstrable costs incurred to prepare the property for conveyance (including environmental remediation, legal, appraisal, administrative costs).
  • Mineral/oil/gas revenue: the State is entitled to 50% of any oil, gas, or mineral gross revenue if such resources are developed.
  • State retains rights to aboriginal antiquities found on/under the property.
  • Legal form of deeds/transfer to be approved by the Attorney General; if sold at fair market value a fee appraisal by an independent appraiser is required.
  • Net proceeds from any sale are credited to the State General Fund.

Who is affected

  • Jackson County (primary intended recipient and current maintainer of the landfill site).
  • DTMB and Department of Corrections (current jurisdictional owner).
  • Potential purchasers: local governments, land bank, private buyers (if sold at FMV).
  • State General Fund (would receive net sale proceeds and 50% of mineral revenues).
  • Residents and taxpayers of Jackson County (potential local cost savings; potential future public use of property).

Fiscal and procedural notes

  • The bill is permissive — it authorizes, but does not require, conveyance.
  • No current appraisal exists; therefore direct fiscal impact is unknown. The House/Senate analyses indicate no immediate direct fiscal effect on State or local units because conveyance is optional.
  • Legislative rationale cites Jackson County’s existing leachate disposal costs and testimony estimating potential savings of roughly $100,000 per year if the county builds an on‑site wastewater treatment facility.

If enacted, the bill creates a structured process and conditions for transfer of the former Dalton Road Landfill parcel intended to prioritize local governmental use while protecting certain State interests (revenue share, antiquities, right of repurchase).

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

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