Property: conveyances; requirements for the conveyance of certain property in Roscommon County and Crawford County; modify. Amends secs. 3 & 4 of 2006 PA 584.
Summary
Senate Bill 188 amends a 2006 state law governing the conveyance of certain state-owned property in Roscommon and Crawford counties. The bill tightens and clarifies the conditions attached to the transfer of that property, which is associated with Camp Curnalia, by specifying that the land must be used exclusively for residential cottages and related recreational purposes for ex-service personnel and their families. It also restates that the property use must remain consistent with prior lease purposes for those lands.
The bill further provides that if the property is used for any other purpose, or if the ownership and use restrictions are violated, the state may reenter and repossess the property. If the grantee resists surrendering possession, the attorney general may bring a quiet title action to recover the property. In addition, the bill requires the Camp Curnalia cottage owners association to enforce the eligibility rules, prohibits it from adopting bylaws that would conflict with those rules, and requires any later transfer of the property to remain subject to the same restrictions.
Impact
The bill would amend sections 3 and 4 of 2006 PA 584, reinforcing deed restrictions and enforcement mechanisms tied to the conveyance of state land. It would keep the property limited to use by ex-service personnel, their spouses, and specified family members, and it would preserve the state’s right of reentry and the attorney general’s authority to recover the property if the conditions are violated. The measure primarily affects the Camp Curnalia cottage owners association, future owners or transferees of the property, and the state’s ability to enforce the terms of the original conveyance.
Sentiment
The available record shows no committee testimony, recorded votes, or formal opposition, so there is no documented public debate to gauge broad sentiment. Based on the bill text, the measure appears to be a maintenance-and-enforcement bill aimed at preserving an existing veterans-oriented property arrangement rather than creating a new policy direction. The tone of the legislation is protective and restrictive, suggesting support for keeping the property dedicated to its historic use.
Contention
The main point of potential contention is the strict limitation on who may own and use residences on the property, which is confined to ex-service personnel and defined family members. Another possible issue is the strong enforcement structure, including the state’s right to repossess the property and the attorney general’s authority to sue for quiet title if possession is not surrendered. The bill also places affirmative obligations on the Camp Curnalia cottage owners association, including a ban on bylaws or rules that would weaken the eligibility restrictions, which could be viewed as limiting local governance flexibility.