Michigan Sheriffs' Ass'n v. Department of Treasury

Where funds are collected by the state pursuant to a statute designating a specific purpose for which the sums so collected may be spent, may the Legislature thereafter apply a portion of the sums so collected to another purpose? This question of apparent first impression is raised by the Ingham County Circuit Court ruling in defendants’ favor on plaintiffs’ action challenging the legality of the Legislature’s transfer of $900,000 from the Marine Safety Fund to the State Waterways Fund.

The Marine Safety Fund (MSF) was established by 1967 PA 303; MCLA 281.1001 et seq.; MSA 18.1287(1) et seq.…