2011 House Bill 4111 / Public Act 65

Provide limited liability to volunteer conservation workers

Introduced in the House

Jan. 20, 2011

Introduced by Rep. Bruce Rendon (R-103)

To establish that a volunteer working on a Department of Natural Resources wildlife habitat improvement project has the same immunity from civil liability as a state employee working on the project.

Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation

March 8, 2011

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

March 16, 2011

Substitute offered

To adopt a version that removes the original bill's provision prohibiting volunteers from carrying firearms while functioning as volunteers.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Dian Slavens (D-21)

To give the department the duty of making a "reasonable effort to ensure that each volunteer is properly trained a supervised".

The amendment failed 45 to 65 (details)

Amendment offered by Rep. Steven Lindberg (D-109)

To prohibit allowing volunteers to do work that previously was done by paid full-time government employees.

The amendment failed by voice vote

March 17, 2011

Passed in the House 79 to 31 (details)

Received in the Senate

March 22, 2011

Referred to the Committee on Outdoor Recreation and Tourism

April 26, 2011

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

May 24, 2011

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises details but does not change the substance as previously described.

The substitute passed by voice vote

May 31, 2011

Amendment offered by Sen. John Gleason (D-27)

To prohibit allowing volunteers to do work that previously was done by paid full-time government employees.

The amendment failed 10 to 26 (details)

Passed in the Senate 33 to 3 (details)

To establish that a volunteer working on a Department of Natural Resources wildlife habitat improvement project has the same immunity from civil liability as a state employee working on the project.

Received in the House

May 31, 2011

June 14, 2011

Passed in the House 78 to 29 (details)

To concur with the Senate-passed version of the bill.

Signed by Gov. Rick Snyder

June 28, 2011