Senate Bill SB 999

We are reaching out to ask for your support in advancing proposed legislation related to statewide aerial imagery - Senate Bill No. 999.

As you know, consistent, high-quality aerial imagery is critical for a wide range of applications across our state - from local government planning and emergency response to infrastructure management and economic development. The proposed legislation aims to create an annual legislative apportionment in the amount of $4 per recorded document through an amendment of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, PA 236. This proposed legislation would establish:

• Aerial Imagery that will be available publicly
• Higher resolution imagery
• Increased frequency of flights, from every 5 years to 3 years
• Funded by citizens of Michigan
• Managed by existing statewide program – MiSAIL

Status Update: Thank You for Your Support

Thank you to everyone who has already contacted your State Senator and State House Representative on behalf of SB 999 — your outreach is helping raise awareness of this legislation as it moves through the process.

There are now two additional ways you can help:

1. Request Letters of Support

Reach out to the counties, townships, municipalities, or other organizations you work with and encourage them to submit letters of support. Hearing directly from local governments that rely on aerial imagery for infrastructure management, emergency response, planning, assessment, and asset management shows the broad, statewide value of this investment.

(See the Map of Key Areas Needing Support Letters to identify priority regions.)

2. Contact members of the Legislative Committee Reviewing SB 999

A brief email or phone call emphasizing the importance of statewide aerial imagery and LiDAR, and asking for support of SB 999, helps reinforce the need for this legislation. The Local Government committee members are listed below.

• SenatorContactPaul Wojno (D-10)
• senpwojno@senate.michigan.gov · (517) 373-8360
• Jeremy Moss (D-7)
• senjmoss@senate.michigan.gov · (517) 373-7888
• Veronica Klinefelt (D-11)
• senvklinefelt@senate.michigan.gov · (517) 373-7670
• Kevin Daley (R-26)
• senkdaley@senate.michigan.gov · (517) 373-1777
• Sue Shink (D-14)
• sensshink@senate.michigan.gov · (517) 373-2426
• Rosemary Bayer (D-13)
• senrbayer@senate.michigan.gov · (517) 373-2417
• Michele Hoitenga (R-36)
• senmhoitenga@senate.michigan.gov · (517) 373-7946

Haven't Reached Out Yet? There's Still Time.

Personal outreach from GIS professionals remains one of the most effective ways to help legislators understand how this program benefits communities across Michigan.

How to reach out:

• Briefly introduce yourself and your role
• Highlight how aerial imagery supports your work and/or your community
• Emphasize the importance of sustained investment and coordination
• Ask for their support of the proposed legislation

Sample outreach language: Download the sample letter.

Find your legislators: https://www.michiganvotes.org/legislators.

Additional information on the proposed legislation:

• Investing in Statewide High-Resolution Orthoimagery - MiSAIL Flier
• Funding Request from Michigan GIS Advisory Group - Memo
• Senate Bill No. 999 - Full Text
• Map of key areas needing support letters

Thank you for taking a few minutes to advocate for the future of Michigan's statewide aerial imagery program. Your voice makes a real difference.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to info@cmpass.org