(AP) -- LANSING, Mich. - Gov. Jennifer Granholm is expected to sign into law a plan that will allow Michigan motorists to visit state parks by paying a $10 fee when they renew their vehicle license plates each year.
Bills setting up a state parks passport system were finalized Thursday by the state Senate.
Voluntarily paying the fee would exempt state residents from having to buy $6 daily or $24 annual park passes to enter state parks. Paying the fee also would provide access to recreation areas, forests and boat ramps. The system would begin Oct. 1.
Supporters say the system will prompt more people to buy park passes and raise more money overall for Michigan's cash-strapped parks system.
Some lawmakers opposed the move because they wanted the money to go to road repairs.
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