Senate Bill 1036 Summary

• Authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to grant easements, use permits, or leases for compatible uses on state-owned Pure Michigan Trails and to enter into concession contracts along these trails.

• Allows the department to lease adjacent land for trail concession operations and to designate newly acquired land for use as Pure Michigan Trails, with revenues deposited into a designated fund.

• Requires the department to comply with federal railroad liability requirements (49 CFR 1152.29) when negotiating with railroads to become a trail sponsor and to assume full liability for railroad right-of-way transfer in exchange for fair value compensation.

• Expands liability immunity for property owners, tenants, and lessees from lawsuits for injuries during outdoor recreation and trail use to non-paying visitors, except in cases of gross negligence or willful and wanton misconduct.

• Provides liability immunity for railroads that own or formerly operated rail line rights-of-way dedicated for interim trail use and rail banking under federal law, protecting them from injury claims after Surface Transportation Board approval and before reactivation for rail service.