Lead poisoning prevention bill

Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed a bill (SB 1198) that will require all families who receive benefits under the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program to get a lead screening test. "Exposure to lead can seriously impact a child's health and development," Granholm said. "Testing and treating children, especially those who live in high-risk areas, is a critical step to ensuring that they can get off to a good start in life."

New barriers to the sale of state land

The Legislature completed work on a two-bill package that added new barriers to the sale of state land. SB 971 and SB 972, sponsored by Sens. Cameron Brown and Patty Birkholz, require local hearings, review by the Citizen Committee for Michigan State Parks, approval by the Natural Resources Commission and approval by the Legislature before any parcel greater than 100 acres, or 15% of a land within a state park or recreation area, could be sold. Sale of smaller parcels will also be subject to greater public participation requirements.

Banning Great Lakes disposal of contaminated dredge spoils

The governor conducted a formal signing of SB 506, a bill that prohibits the open water dumping of contaminated dredge spoils. This law makes permanent the restrictions that the governor had put in place through an executive directive.