Sec. 14.

(1) A county or regional commission may adopt, amend, or repeal rules for the protection, regulation, and control of its facilities and areas with the approval of the county board or boards of commissioners.

(2) Rules shall not be contrary to or inconsistent with the laws of this state. Rules shall not take effect until all of the following occur:

(a) The elapse of 9 days after the rules are adopted by the county or regional commission.

(b) The publication of the rules once a week for 2 consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the area or facility to which the rules apply is located.

(c) The posting of a copy of the rules near each gate or principal entrance to the area or facility.

(3) Except as provided in subsection (4), a person who violates a rule adopted by a county or regional commission is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $100.00 and costs of prosecution or by imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both.

(4) The operation of a vehicle on a recreational trailway at a time, in a place, or in a manner prohibited by a rule adopted by a county or regional commission is a municipal civil infraction, whether or not so designated by the rule. A civil fine ordered for a municipal civil infraction described in this subsection shall not exceed the maximum amount of a fine provided by the rule or $500.00, whichever is less. An act or omission described in this subsection is not a municipal civil infraction if that act or omission constitutes a violation or crime that is excluded from the definition of municipal civil infraction in section 113 of the revised judicature act of 1961, Act No. 236 of the Public Acts of 1961, being section 600.113 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.

(5) A county or regional commission may appoint park rangers who may be deputized by a sheriff to enforce the laws of this state. Whether deputized or not, park rangers may enforce the rules adopted by a county or regional commission and have the powers, privileges, and immunities conferred upon peace officers by the laws of this state. A park ranger shall not be appointed unless he or she meets the minimum standards established by the law enforcement officers training council. Park rangers shall exercise their authority and powers only on lands, waters, and property administered by or under the jurisdiction of a county or regional commission.

(6) A county or regional commission may contract with townships, cities, villages, or sheriffs for police services required under this section and may appropriate and expend funds for those services.

History: 1965, Act 261, Imd. Eff. July 21, 1965 ;-- Am. 1968, Act 216, Eff. Aug. 1, 1968 ;-- Am. 1994, Act 84, Eff. Oct. 1, 1994