Recreation: state parks; recreation passport requirement; exempt Gold Star family members in NREPA. Amends secs. 74116 & 78119 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.74116 & 324.78119).

This bill amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to require a valid recreation passport fee for residents and a specific park permit for nonresidents before entering state parks or designated public boating access sites with a motor vehicle. The legislation mandates that these fees be displayed on the vehicle's windshield or registration tabs, while explicitly exempting vehicles used for official state business, emergency services, federal highways, and designated free fishing days. Additionally, the bill clarifies enforcement procedures by establishing a $100 civil fine for violations and designating vehicle registration plates as prima facie evidence of ownership in parking infractions. A critical provision of this bill is the exemption of Gold Star family members from these recreation passport requirements, ensuring they can access state parks without paying the fee.