Michigan House Passes Bill Stopping DNR From Trespassing on Private Land

So the Michigan House actually passed this new bill that says DNR officers can’t just walk onto your property anymore without a warrant. Well, how about that? It’s about time, right?

While it’s not law yet, it’s at least moving in the right direction.

It’s from State Rep. Dave Prestin out of Cedar River, and it basically tells the DNR they have to play by the same rules as every other cop in the state. Honestly, that’s how it should be. If they want to check out your land, they either need a warrant, your permission, or they have to actually see a crime happening. They can’t just wander in like they own the place.

According to TV6, Prestin says this change is needed to protect landowners from years of DNR overreach.

He also told independent journalist Dave Bondy that he’s heard a ton of complaints from people up north about DNR officers jumping fences, cutting locks, and even putting up cameras on private land. Talk about overreach. The DNR has been hiding behind something called the Open Fields Doctrine, which basically lets them walk onto private property without a warrant. This bill pulls the plug on all of that.

Honestly, I had no idea this was even happening in Michigan. In my defense, it’s not like I own a bunch of private land, but still. I’m glad more people are finally talking about it, and something’s being done.

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The bill still has to pass the Senate and get signed by Governor Whitmer. If that happens, it would take effect 90 days after the legislative session ends.

There’s also a separate bill floating around that would require DNR officers to wear body cams, but that one hasn’t passed yet.