Property: conveyance of state property; transfer of certain state-owned property in Livingston County; provide for. Creates land transfer act.
Summary
Senate Bill 478 authorizes the Michigan State Administrative Board to transfer administrative jurisdiction over a 92.98-acre parcel of state-owned land in Green Oak Township, Livingston County, from the Department of Corrections to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The transfer is made without consideration, meaning no purchase price is required, and it is intended to be permanent once approved by the State Administrative Board and formally noticed by the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget (DTMB).
The bill also specifies that the parcel description is approximate and may be adjusted by a professional survey. It requires Attorney General approval of the transfer documents, directs DTMB to coordinate implementation, and requires the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to reimburse DTMB for survey and closing costs. The act further provides that the transfer includes existing improvements on the land as well as any surplus, salvage, or scrap property or equipment remaining on the site at the time of transfer.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would change the administrative control of the identified state property from the Department of Corrections to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, shifting responsibility for the parcel, its improvements, and any remaining equipment or materials. It does not change private ownership, but it does alter which state agency has jurisdiction, management authority, and responsibility for the land. The bill also creates procedural requirements for the transfer, including survey review, legal-form approval, and cost reimbursement.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests strong bipartisan or at least broad legislative support for the measure. The bill was reported favorably out of committee without amendment by a 7-0 vote and later passed the Senate on third reading by a 34-0 vote. No committee transcript was provided, so there is no recorded floor or committee debate to indicate significant opposition or controversy.
Contention
There is little evidence of substantive contention in the available record. The main technical issues addressed by the bill are the exact property description, the need for a professional survey to confirm boundaries, and the administrative steps required to complete the transfer. Any potential concern would likely center on interagency jurisdiction, costs associated with surveying and closing, and ensuring the transfer is properly documented, but the unanimous votes indicate those issues were not politically divisive.