Michigan campers might soon be pitching their tents with a little less competition thanks to a new bill that aims to give them a leg up on out-of-state visitors. According to CBS News Detroit, House Bill 5597, introduced by Republican state Rep. Cam Cavitt, proposes a two-week reservation head start for Michigan residents over non-residents for spots at state parks, yurts, or lodges.
Rep. Cavitt was quoted saying, "Some of our most popular parks fill up so quickly that state residents have less than 20 minutes to get a spot before they're gone." Meanwhile, Detroit Free Press reported that over 35 million visitors have flocked to Michigan’s state parks, and securing a reservation is akin to snagging tickets to the hottest show in town. With campsites often booked six months in advance, residents are left to launch their vacation plans by crowding around computers come December, a race against the clock that this proposed bill seeks to alleviate.
The legislation has yet to win over the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, which is reviewing the bill's details. While the department has not taken an official stance on the bill, it has noted that non-residents only account for about 12% of campsite bookers, as mentioned by CBS News Detroit. Camp Michigan, an advocate for the state's private and corporate-owned campgrounds, supports the bill, saying non-resident campers would still find accommodations at nearby member parks.
Despite the potential benefits for Michiganders, there's concern about the message the bill sends to out-of-state guests. Introduced during the last session as well, the bill never made it past committee after pushback from the DNR, which cautioned that priority for residents could harm tourist-driven towns and regions, according to the Detroit Free Press. The concerns were originally laid out in 2022 when the DNR testified that giving priority to residents could deter non-residents who contribute significantly to the local economy.
Referencing the latest updates, Bridge Michigan reported that the bill, now in the House Natural Resources, Environment, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Committee, could face further scrutiny. Committee chair Rep. Laurie Pohutsky expressed hesitation, suggesting the real issue lies in campers reserving multiple sites and only settling on one close to their trip date. Pohutsky indicated that increasing cancellation fees, a move within the power of the DNR might address this issue more efficiently without the need for legislation.
As it stands, the fate of House Bill 5597 hangs in the balance, caught between the aspirations of Michigan residents for a serene getaway and the intricate dance of tourism and state economics. With developments updated daily, and nearly half the state park sites already reserved through Memorial Day weekend, the saga of securing a spot to commune with Michigan's great outdoors continues to unfold.
