On Wednesday, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a bipartisan bill that grants the voters of the City of Mackinac Island the opportunity to amend their charter and allow the city to regulate all aspects of ferry service to and from the island. Since 2024, both major ferry services have been owned by one parent company. Now, Mackinac Island voters have the opportunity to vote on a change to the city charter that would grant the City of Mackinac Island the authority to regulate ferry prices and all ancillary fees associated with travel, such as baggage, parking, and early boarding options.
“Mackinac Island is Michigan’s gem, and ferry service to get there should be accessible and affordable,” said Whitmer. “I’m proud to sign this bill that empowers the people of Mackinac Island to make decisions about their economy. Tariffs and the war overseas are already making things more expensive for Michiganders. They shouldn’t have to face additional costs just to enjoy one of our state’s most beautiful places. Let’s keep working together to lower costs for Michiganders and keep Mackinac Island accessible to both its residents and the 1.2 million people who visit it every year.”
"Mackinac Island is a treasure for our entire state, and this legislation is critical to helping ensure our residents and visitors maintain affordable transportation to the island,” said state Senator John Damoose (R-Harbor Springs). “In the Straits of Mackinac, the ferries are the roads. More than 80% of the island is state land, and the economies of northern Michigan and the eastern Upper Peninsula depend upon traffic to the island so we had no choice but to take action on behalf of all citizens when affordable access has been threatened by a single corporate entity.”
“For more than a year, we have worked with Straits Area stakeholders, tourism leaders, and community partners to address a growing challenge facing our region.
Throughout that process, many options were carefully considered.” said state Representative Parker Fairbairn (R-Harbor Springs). “Ultimately, it became clear that this was the only viable path to protect affordable and reliable access to one of Michigan’s most important tourism destinations.”
"Michigan has spoken loudly and clearly: Mackinac Island belongs to everyone," said Margaret Doud, mayor of the City of Mackinac Island. "I am pleased to announce that Senate Bill 304 has been signed into law, amending the City of Mackinac Island's special charter to clarify the City's authority to regulate all aspects of ferry service. The City will now place the special charter amendment before the voters of Mackinac Island. I am confident that our community shares the values that drove this effort – fairness, accessibility, and the preservation of what makes this Island so special. Thank you to our legislative champions, especially the leadership of Senator John Damoose who sponsored the bill; to Governor Whitmer for swiftly signing it into law; and to all who advocated for this important step in keeping Michigan's jewel accessible to all who wish to visit and enjoy it."
"We thank Governor Whitmer, the State Senate, and House for their bipartisan leadership to protect Mackinac Island, Michigan's Crown Jewel,” said Liz Ware, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Mission Point Resort. “This important legislation is vital to the experiences we create and the memories made for our guests. The visitor economy is the main employer of not only Mackinac Island but the surrounding communities. By signing SB304, Governor Whitmer recognizes the uniqueness and importance of this delicate ecosystem.”
Senate Bill 304, sponsored by state Senator John Damoose (R-Harbor Springs), authorizes an amendment to Local Act 437 of 1899 to grant the City of Mackinac Island the authority to regulate all aspects of ferry service to and from the island, including extraneous fees. Because the city of Mackinac Island is a special charter city, this change will require majority approval from Mackinac Island voters before taking effect. Mackinac Island supports nearly 5,000 jobs and welcomes an estimated 1.2 million visitors each year.
The bill comes after testimony from residents and visitors that the total cost of passage to Mackinac Island has increased from $34 to $51 after the companies raised ancillary fees for parking, extra baggage, and bike transport. While two separate ferry companies exist, they were brought under a mutual parent company in 2024. The new law would give the city power to vote on being able monitor these prices and make ferry services more affordable. The law specifies that this power would not infringe on authorities that other cities, villages, or townships may hold over ferry services and associated costs.
“Mackinac Island is Michigan’s gem, and ferry service to get there should be accessible and affordable,” said Whitmer. “I’m proud to sign this bill that empowers the people of Mackinac Island to make decisions about their economy. Tariffs and the war overseas are already making things more expensive for Michiganders. They shouldn’t have to face additional costs just to enjoy one of our state’s most beautiful places. Let’s keep working together to lower costs for Michiganders and keep Mackinac Island accessible to both its residents and the 1.2 million people who visit it every year.”
"Mackinac Island is a treasure for our entire state, and this legislation is critical to helping ensure our residents and visitors maintain affordable transportation to the island,” said state Senator John Damoose (R-Harbor Springs). “In the Straits of Mackinac, the ferries are the roads. More than 80% of the island is state land, and the economies of northern Michigan and the eastern Upper Peninsula depend upon traffic to the island so we had no choice but to take action on behalf of all citizens when affordable access has been threatened by a single corporate entity.”
“For more than a year, we have worked with Straits Area stakeholders, tourism leaders, and community partners to address a growing challenge facing our region.
Throughout that process, many options were carefully considered.” said state Representative Parker Fairbairn (R-Harbor Springs). “Ultimately, it became clear that this was the only viable path to protect affordable and reliable access to one of Michigan’s most important tourism destinations.”
"Michigan has spoken loudly and clearly: Mackinac Island belongs to everyone," said Margaret Doud, mayor of the City of Mackinac Island. "I am pleased to announce that Senate Bill 304 has been signed into law, amending the City of Mackinac Island's special charter to clarify the City's authority to regulate all aspects of ferry service. The City will now place the special charter amendment before the voters of Mackinac Island. I am confident that our community shares the values that drove this effort – fairness, accessibility, and the preservation of what makes this Island so special. Thank you to our legislative champions, especially the leadership of Senator John Damoose who sponsored the bill; to Governor Whitmer for swiftly signing it into law; and to all who advocated for this important step in keeping Michigan's jewel accessible to all who wish to visit and enjoy it."
"We thank Governor Whitmer, the State Senate, and House for their bipartisan leadership to protect Mackinac Island, Michigan's Crown Jewel,” said Liz Ware, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Mission Point Resort. “This important legislation is vital to the experiences we create and the memories made for our guests. The visitor economy is the main employer of not only Mackinac Island but the surrounding communities. By signing SB304, Governor Whitmer recognizes the uniqueness and importance of this delicate ecosystem.”
Senate Bill 304, sponsored by state Senator John Damoose (R-Harbor Springs), authorizes an amendment to Local Act 437 of 1899 to grant the City of Mackinac Island the authority to regulate all aspects of ferry service to and from the island, including extraneous fees. Because the city of Mackinac Island is a special charter city, this change will require majority approval from Mackinac Island voters before taking effect. Mackinac Island supports nearly 5,000 jobs and welcomes an estimated 1.2 million visitors each year.
The bill comes after testimony from residents and visitors that the total cost of passage to Mackinac Island has increased from $34 to $51 after the companies raised ancillary fees for parking, extra baggage, and bike transport. While two separate ferry companies exist, they were brought under a mutual parent company in 2024. The new law would give the city power to vote on being able monitor these prices and make ferry services more affordable. The law specifies that this power would not infringe on authorities that other cities, villages, or townships may hold over ferry services and associated costs.
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