Sec. 3306.

(1) Until October 1, 2014, an application for a certificate of coverage under this part shall be accompanied by a fee of $75.00. Subject to subsection (2), an application for an individual permit under this part shall be accompanied by the following fee, based on the size of the area of impact:

(a) Less than 1/2 acre, $75.00.

(b) 1/2 acre or more but less than 5 acres, $200.00.

(c) 5 acres or more but less than 20 acres, $400.00.

(d) 20 acres or more but less than 100 acres, $800.00.

(e) 100 acres or more, $1,500.00.

(2) For the 2014-2015 state fiscal year and each subsequent fiscal year, the department shall proportionately adjust the certificate of coverage and permit application fees under subsection (1) by category to achieve a target in fee revenue under subsection (1) and shall post the adjusted fees on its website by November 1. The department shall set the target so that the annual cumulative total of the target amount plus all of the following equals, as nearly as possible, $900,000.00:

(a) The total amount of annual fees to be collected under section 3309 in the state fiscal year.

(b) The amount of general funds appropriated to the program under this part.

(c) The amount in the aquatic nuisance control fund created under subsection (4) in excess of $100,000.00 carried forward from the prior state fiscal year.

(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, fees as adjusted under subsection (2) shall be proportional to and shall not exceed the amounts set forth in subsection (1). For each state fiscal year beginning with the 2015-2016 state fiscal year, the state treasurer shall adjust the $900,000.00 figure in subsection (2) by an amount determined by the state treasurer at the end of the preceding fiscal year to reflect the cumulative annual percentage change in the consumer price index. As used in this subsection, "consumer price index" means the most comprehensive index of consumer prices available for this state from the bureau of labor statistics of the United States department of labor.

(4) The aquatic nuisance control fund is created in the state treasury. The department shall forward all fees collected under this section, section 3309, and section 3311 to the state treasurer for deposit into the fund. The state treasurer may receive money or other assets from any other source for deposit into the fund. The state treasurer shall direct the investment of the fund. The state treasurer shall credit to the fund interest and earnings from fund investments. Money in the fund at the close of the fiscal year shall remain in the fund and shall not lapse to the general fund. The department shall be the administrator of the fund for auditing purposes. The department shall expend money from the fund, upon appropriation, only for the administration of this part, including, but not limited to, the following:

(a) Issuance of certificates of coverage and permits.

(b) Technology and reasonable laboratory costs to operate the program under this part.

(c) Compliance and enforcement activities related to aquatic nuisance control.

(d) Education of aquatic herbicide applicators, local and state government agencies, lake boards, lakefront property owners, and the general public about aquatic nuisance control and the requirements of this part. The director may contract with a nonprofit educational organization to administer an educational program as described in this subdivision.

(5) A fee under this section, section 3309, or section 3311 may be paid by credit or debit card or electronic fund transfer. The department shall determine which major credit and debit cards may be used to pay a fee. If a fee is paid by credit or debit card, the department may collect a service assessment from the user of the credit or debit card. The service assessment shall not exceed the actual cost to the department of the credit or debit card transaction.

(6) The department shall not charge a fee for an amendment to an application for a certificate of coverage or permit, including an amendment to an application after that application has been resubmitted under section 3307(7).

History: Add. 2004, Act 246, Eff. Oct. 1, 2004 ;-- Am. 2008, Act 276, Imd. Eff. Sept. 29, 2008 ;-- Am. 2011, Act 90, Imd. Eff. July 15, 2011 ;-- Am. 2014, Act 253, Imd. Eff. June 30, 2014 Popular Name: Act 451Popular Name: NREPA