Whitmer signs bill giving Mackinac Island the right to regulate ferry services

The city of Mackinac Island and its voters will have the opportunity to amend the island’s charter so it can regulate all aspects of ferry services after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a bill on Wednesday ending a stalemate between local leaders, residents and the ferries that control travel in the Straits of Mackinac.

Senate Bill 304, now Public Act No. 17, was sponsored by state Sen. John Damoose (R-Harbor Springs). It authorizes the city and its voters to seek an amendment to Local Act 437 of 1899, which could also include changes to fees associated with travel, such as baggage, parking, early boarding options, and other extraneous fees.

The city of Mackinac Island is a special charter city, so the change will require the 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.

In a statement, Whitmer called Mackinac Island “Michigan’s gem,” noting that ferry service to get there “should be accessible and affordable.”

“I’m proud to sign this bill that empowers the people of Mackinac Island to make decisions about their economy,” Whitmer said. “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.”

Damoose, in a statement, said his legislation was critical to helping ensure residents and visitors to the island maintain affordable transport options.

“In the Straits of Mackinac, the ferries are the roads,” Damoose said. “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.”

Residents and visitors alike have shared concerns over the past few years that ferry services on the island grew to be a monopoly that resulted in increased fare and extra service prices from $34 to nearly $51. There are two different ferry companies providing service to the island, but they were both merged under a mutual parent company in 2024.

Damoose’s bill, which is now law following Whitmer’s signature, gives the city the power to vote on changing that model, allowing local leaders the ability to monitor prices and make them more affordable.

State Rep. Parker Fairbairn (R-Harbor Springs) represents that state House district that includes Mackinac Island.

“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.” Fairbairn said in a statement. “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.”

Mackinac Island Mayor Margaret Doud said in a statement that her residents and the island’s faithful tourists “have spoken loud and clear: Mackinac Island belongs to everyone.”

“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,” Doud said. “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.”