State Rep. St. Germaine (R-Harrison Township) today introduced a bill to help Michigan marinas and boat storage facilities free up valuable space occupied by abandoned boats.

House Bill 4708 would allow marinas to take possession of and sell boats that have been left unclaimed for 60 days or more as long as there is no lienholder attached. Under current law, marinas must wait 180 days before they can act, leaving them stuck with deteriorating vessels and storage costs.

“Marinas and storage facilities shouldn’t be forced to cover the cost of boats that have been dumped and forgotten,” said St. Germaine. “These neglected vessels take up space that could be used for paying customers, and it’s simply not fair to burden small business owners with the fallout. This bill helps them manage their property responsibly and keep Michigan’s boating industry afloat.”