Plain English Breakdown
The exact boundaries of the Huron Hawk area are defined elsewhere in the bill and not detailed here.
Huron Hawk Conservancy
This law creates a new group called the Huron Hawk Conservancy within the Natural Resources Agency to manage public lands and support recreation, wildlife protection, and education in the Huron Hawk area.
What This Bill Does
- Establishes the Huron Hawk Conservancy inside the Natural Resources Agency for specific purposes related to the defined Huron Hawk area.
- Allows the conservancy to acquire and manage public lands within the area for recreation, open space, wildlife habitat restoration and protection, and educational uses.
- Requires a board of directors with designated members, including some appointed by certain local agencies, to govern the conservancy.
- Sets out the powers, duties, and limitations of the board and the conservancy.
- Creates the Huron Hawk Conservancy Fund where money from member agencies or contributions must be deposited.
- Makes funds available for spending only after approval by the Legislature.
Who It Names or Affects
- The Natural Resources Agency
- Local agencies that appoint board members and face new duties under this law
- Public agencies, private entities, or individuals who contribute money, grants, goods, or services to the conservancy
Terms To Know
- Conservancy
- A group created by law to acquire and manage land for conservation purposes.
- Appropriation
- When the Legislature officially agrees to spend money from a fund.
- State-mandated local program
- A rule that requires local agencies to do new work because of state law, which may require state reimbursement for costs.
Limits and Unknowns
- The conservancy cannot spend money until the Legislature approves it or a general obligation bond is approved.
- It is not yet clear if the Commission on State Mandates will find that this law creates reimbursable costs for local agencies.