Michigan State Parks About To Miss Out on Millions Over a Simple Checkbox

Michigan’s state parks were on the verge of receiving a massive funding boost—until lawmakers adjourned the recent lame duck session without passing a critical bill. House Bill 5428, which proposed a small but impactful change to how Michiganders purchase recreation passports, is now officially dead.

Currently, residents can opt to purchase a recreation passport through the Secretary of State when renewing their vehicle registration. The $14 fee ($7 for motorcycles and mopeds) gives vehicle access to state parks, recreation areas, and boat launches across the state. However, only 38% of Michiganders check that box, generating about $42 million annually for park operations and maintenance.

⬇️ Have you seen Michigan's most remote state park? ⬇️

HB 5428 proposed flipping the system to an opt-out model, where residents would need to check a box to decline the passport. This simple adjustment was estimated to bring in an additional $21 million per year—and these funds are desperately needed to address the growing maintenance backlog at our state parks.

But, with the Michigan State House set to reconvene on New Year’s Eve without plans to pass legislation, the opportunity has slipped away for now. “Everything that was on the agenda in the House is dead,” House Speaker Pro Tem Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia) confirmed last week.

For many outdoor enthusiasts, the failure is frustrating. Michigan has some of the best state parks in the country, and the legislature declining to move in a direction that helps protect that, just to be contrary, is frustrating. I'm not alone in this feeling though- Beau Brockett of the Michigan Environmental Council echoed the disappointment, calling the missed opportunity “a sense of betrayal.” Still, he remains hopeful the opt-out bill will be reintroduced next year.

For now, Michigan’s state parks must continue to operate with limited resources—leaving the dream of cleaner restrooms and better-maintained trails on hold. Here's hoping in 2025 our lawmakers will work together to help our state, instead of hurting it.