Last week the House Local Government Committee heard testimony on House Bills 4856 and 4857, legislation that would allow local governments to charge an individual for a rescue if that individual is grossly negligent in an emergency situation.

This legislation arose from flooding last year in West Michigan where a person decided to kayak in a flooded river and had to be rescued by public safety officers. While the League supports the intent of this legislation, we do have concerns with how it would interact with existing cost recovery ordinances given that this requires a “state of emergency” and “grossly negligent” conduct.

We are working with the sponsors on this legislation to address these concerns.

Samantha Harkins is the Director of State Affairs for the Michigan Municipal League.  She can be reached at 517-908-0306 or email at sharkins@mml.org