Bill
to require 2% biodiesel in all diesel sold in the state reported
to the House floor. Environmental groups join Farm Bureau in advocating
for cleaner fuels - more below.
Bill to promote farmland preservation may see action in the House
this week. Bill (HB
4257) fails to follow the recommendation of the Michigan Land
Use Leadership Council.
Bill
to convert $100 million in sewer infrastructure loan funds (approved
by the voters in 2002) to grants reported from Local Government
Committee. Environmental groups concerned about breaking a promise
to the voters about how the money would be used and the reduction
of funding that would occur in the future due to the switch.
Resolutions
to urge extension of the licenses for the Palisades and Cook
Nuclear Power plants in House Energy and Technology Committee
this week.
Senate
Passed:
HCR 4
- A resolution to memorialize Congress to enact highway reauthorization
legislation with a level of funding that closes the gap between
federal fuel tax dollars paid by Michigan motorists and dollars
received to address Michigan’s transportation needs.
In committee:
Natural
Resources and Environmental Affairs will meet on Tuesday
(4/19) at 3:00 pm to take up:
SB
73 - Defines how offset rule will be implemented in
Michigan's nonattainment areas under the Clean Air Act.
SB
332 - Requires Michigan join and advocate for a Great
Lakes states coalition to regulate the discharge of ballast
water within the Great Lakes. Legislation based in part on a
report issued by MDEQ finding that federal efforts to control
invasive species from ballast water inadequate.
Transportation
will meet on Tuesday (4/19) at 1:00 PM to hold an Advice and
Consent hearing on Ms. Maureen Miller Brosnan and Mr. James
R. Rosendall appointed to the State Transportation Commission.
Appropriations:
Agriculture will meet on Thursday (4/21) at 3:00 pm to take
up the Fiscal Year 2005-06 Agriculture Budget.
House
On the
calendar:
HB
4204 - This bill eliminates the 6 cent sales tax on
gas to the extent that it exceeds $2.30 gallon.
HB
4257
- The bill reduces the taxes that farmers would pay on their
property to $5 acre be providing them a tax credit against their
income or Single Business Tax payment to property taxes paid
above that amount. The program is limited to only 200,000 acres
- in order to limit the the lost tax revenue to the state to
$2-3 million. If applied to all property the bill would cost
the state more than $30 million a year (depending on enrollment).
Unlike the current program (PA 116), this act has does not limit
the property taxes credit based on the income level of the taxpayer.
The bill does not follow the recommendations of the Michigan
Land Use Leadership Council on this point.
HB
4235 a bill to require 2% biodiesel to be included in
diesel fuel sold within the state.
HB
4572 -- A bill to allow a portion of the Great Lakes
water quality bonds to be expended for grants for engineering
and consulting costs associated with sewage treatment projects.
HB
4573 -- A bill to transfer $100 million dollars in authorized
bonds (from the $1 billion authorized by the voters in 2002)
to the grant program created in HB 4572.
In committee:
Natural
Resources, Great Lakes, Land Use, and Environment will meet
on Thursday (4/21) at 9:00 am for presentations on Current Air
Quality and Motor Fuel related issues by:
G. Vinson Helwig, Michigan Department of Quality, Air Quality
Division,
Chuck Hersay, South East Michigan Council of Governments.
Energy
and Technology will meet Wednesday (4/20) at 9:00 am to
take up:
HCR 8
- A concurrent resolution to urge the United States Nuclear
Regulatory Commission to extend the operating license of the
Palisades Nuclear Power Plant.
HCR 9
- A concurrent resolution to urge the United States Nuclear
Regulatory Commission to extend the operating license of the
D.C. Cook Nuclear Power Plant.
Report from
Subcommittee on Energy
Transportation
will meet on Tuesday (4/19) at 9:00 am for:
Presentation
by the Funding Action Team on Needs and Funding Options
Presentation
regarding Gas Prices from John Griffin, Associated Petroleum
Industries of Michigan
Agriculture
will meet on Tuesday (4/19) at 2:00 PM or after committees are
given leave by the House to meet, whichever time is later to
take up:
HB
4560 - A bill to revise penalties for violations of
emerald ash borer quarantine.
HB
4561 - A bill to establish sentencing guidelines for
crime of violating insect and plant pest quarantines.
HB
4562 - A bill to revise penalties for moving emerald
ash borer, firewood, or quarantined articles.
HB
4567 - A bill to establish sentencing guidelines for
crimes of violating insect and plant pest quarantines.
Appropriations:
Environmental Quality will meet on Wednesday (4/20) at 9:00
AM - Agenda FY 2005-06 Budget - Program Review: Priority Setting
- Department of Environmental Quality
- Public Testimony
Appropriations:
Natural Resources will meet on Wednesday (4/20) at 11:00
AM - Agenda FY 2005-06 Budget - Program Review: Priority Setting
- Department of Natural Resources
- Public Testimony
Appropriations:
Transportation will meet on Wednesday (4/20) at 8:30 AM
for a testimony on the 2005-06 Transportation Budget
Appropriations:
Agriculture will meet on Thursday (4/19) at 10:30 am to
take up the Fiscal Year 2005-06 Agriculture Budget - Emerging
Animal & Plant Diseases.
Submitted
by:
James Clift
Brad Garmon
Michigan Environmental Council
119 Pere Marquette, Ste 2A
Lansing, MI 48912
(517) 487-9539
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