WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 4682

Recreation: other; responsibilities of property owners under the recreational trespassing law; modify. Amends sec. 73102 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.73102).

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Greg Alexander and 18 co-sponsors

Sets clear posting rule: place signs at no more than 250 feet along property lines (1-inch letters, 50 sq in) to ban recreational trespass, aiding owners and enforcement.

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND AGRICULTURE
#crimes:trespassing #naturalresources:hunting #recreation:other
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 4682

Bill Summary — HB 4682 (amends MCL 324.73102)

Status: Referred to Committee on Natural Resources and Agriculture; passed House Dec. 3, 2024; committee report filed May 10, 2025; placed on General State Calendar May 13, 2025.
Sponsor (original): Rep. Bradley Slagh. Statute amended: section 73102 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA), MCL 324.73102.

Purpose / Intent

Clarify and standardize the signage requirement that property owners must post to prohibit recreational entry (hunting, trapping, other recreational activities). The bill responds to disputes and enforcement difficulties arising from a vague statutory phrase about how posted signs must be spaced.

Key provisions / textual change

  • Retains existing posting requirements for “posted” property: signs with at least 1-inch letter height and each sign at least 50 square inches.
  • Replaces the existing, vague spacing standard (“spaced to enable a person to observe at least one sign at any point of entry”) with an explicit numeric requirement: posting signs at intervals of no more than 250 feet along the property boundary.
  • Leaves intact other provisions of section 73102, including:
    • Prohibition on entering another’s property (other than farm property or wooded area connected to farm property) for recreational activity without owner consent.
    • Separate, stricter rule that farm property or wooded areas connected to farm property are off-limits for recreation without consent (regardless of posting).
    • Limited access exceptions (e.g., fishermen using navigable streams, retrieving hunting dogs, and rules on oral/written consent).

Who is affected

  • Private property owners (non-farm and farm owners) — clarifies how to legally post to prohibit recreational trespass and may reduce the number of signs needed.
  • Hunters, trappers, anglers, and other recreational users — could reduce ambiguity about where access is permitted.
  • Law enforcement and Department of Natural Resources (DNR) — provides a measurable standard for enforcement decisions.
  • DNR indicated a neutral position; the House Fiscal Agency estimates no fiscal impact on state or local government.

Likely impact / implications

  • Provides a clearer, objective standard (250-foot intervals) that should reduce disputes over adequacy of posting and improve enforceability of trespass prohibitions.
  • Could reduce the need for dense or continuous signage along natural breaks (e.g., tree lines) and lower compliance uncertainty for landowners.
  • May also limit incidental access by recreational users where owners properly post at the specified intervals.

Procedure / next steps

  • Bill passed the Michigan House (Dec. 3, 2024) and, as of May 2025, is active in committee/workflow in the Senate (committee report filed and placed on calendar). Companion: SB 2298.

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

Sign in to ask a question.