Michigan-Indiana state line commission bills clear House

Payments to solidify Michigan’s border with Indiana are near ultimate passage within the Legislature.

The Michigan Home of Representatives handed SB 627 and 628 this week.

They’d fund Michigan’s share of survey prices to mark the state line with one thing extra everlasting than the unique wooden posts.

“That is nice information for Southwest Michigan and for residents of Indiana as properly,” state Sen. Kim LaSata (R-Niles) mentioned in a press launch. “As soon as accomplished, a proper survey together with up to date, clearly identifiable monuments will lastly set up a transparent border between the 2 states.”

The laws would additionally create the brand new Michigan-Indiana State Line Fee to coordinate that research with its Hoosier counterpart.

Land surveyor Jack Owens has raised the difficulty for twenty years. He mentioned, in contrast to with Ohio or Wisconsin, markers alongside the Michigan-Indiana border haven’t been re-examined in practically 200 years.

“They weren’t accomplished to the extent of accuracy at this time. So, the road is marked however will we wish to realize it higher than two or three toes?” Owens mentioned.

He mentioned fashionable expertise like GPS can current a way more correct image of the border.

Owens has described the Indiana border as “the quiet boundary.” He mentioned the aim is to protect it and maintain the peace.

“The significance is it’s the restrict of sovereignty of each Michigan and Indiana. You understand, our legal guidelines pertain as much as the road, and so every state is sovereign inside its personal territory. So, you wish to know: the place is that boundary?” Owens mentioned.

Not having a clearly outlined boundary has left open questions over jurisdiction for issues like automotive accidents and crimes that happen close to the border.

Owens mentioned an legal professional as soon as reached out to him after a automotive accident on a highway close to the state line.

“The query is which state was the accident in? Since you both have to make use of the legal guidelines in Michigan or the legal guidelines of Indiana and he didn’t know which was going to use,” Owens mentioned.

Michigan and Indiana have tried to replace the border markers for years, however previous collaborations fell via.

The Michigan Senate might vote to concur with Home adjustments to the present plan and advance laws to the governor as quickly as subsequent week.

Indiana handed laws funding its a part of the survey and re-creating the Indiana-Michigan boundary fee again in 2019.