Michigan Senate Bill SJRC

Michigan 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 6/10/25
• Refer: 6/10/25

Caption

Natural resources: other; director of the department of natural resources; provide for election of. Adds sec. 21a to art. V of the state constitution.

Summary

Senate Joint Resolution C proposes a constitutional amendment to change how Michigan’s director of the Department of Natural Resources is selected. Under the resolution, beginning with the 2030 general election, the director would be elected to a four-year term rather than appointed, with the office filled through party convention nominations as prescribed by law. The amendment also provides that any vacancy in the office would be filled by gubernatorial appointment. If approved by voters, the measure would add a new section to Article V of the Michigan Constitution and shift the DNR director from an executive-branch appointment to a statewide elective office. The change would affect the structure of state government and the laws governing nomination, election administration, and vacancy filling for the department’s top official. Because the resolution is constitutional in nature, it would require voter approval at a general election before taking effect.

Impact

The resolution would amend the Michigan Constitution to create an elected Department of Natural Resources director, altering current executive appointment authority and requiring implementing laws for party convention nominations and election procedures. It would also preserve gubernatorial appointment power only for vacancies, while leaving the office on a four-year election cycle beginning in 2030. The measure would affect state constitutional law, election law, and the statutory framework governing the DNR leadership selection process.

Sentiment

No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of support or opposition from legislative debate. Based on the text alone, the resolution appears to reflect a structural reform proposal rather than a policy change about natural resources management itself. The absence of recorded discussion makes the overall sentiment difficult to gauge, though the measure’s placement as a joint resolution suggests it was intended for voter consideration rather than immediate administrative implementation.

Contention

The main point of contention likely concerns whether the director of the Department of Natural Resources should be an elected official or remain an appointed executive-branch position. Supporters would likely favor greater public accountability and voter control over the office, while opponents may argue that the role is technical and policy-driven and should remain insulated from partisan election politics. The requirement that nominees come from party conventions may also raise concerns about politicizing a position traditionally tied to resource management and conservation administration.