Resolution
urging extensions on the licenses for the Cook and Palisades Nuclear
Power plants approved by House Technology and Energy Committee
after 30 minutes of testimony. Final decision will be made by
the Nuclear Regulatory Commission -- hopefully they will take
a little longer look at the issue.
Auditor General finds Engler administration and Harding undermined
their own scientists' work by cutting deals with polluting companies
and refusing to arm state prosecutors with the tools they needed
to enforce cleanup laws. Who paid the bill? -- Michigan taxpayers.
Coming
up in the House:
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.
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 to boost sewer infrastructure
work.
Senate
On the calendar:
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.
In committee:
Natural
Resources and Environmental Affairs will meet on Tuesday
(4/26) 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.
SR 25
- A resolution to urge the United States Coast Guard to immediately
eliminate the "No Ballast on Board" (NOBOB) exemption
from regulations on ballast water management and require all
ships with ballast tanks that enter the Great Lakes to conform
to all regulations for ballast water management in federal law.
Technology
& Energy will meet on Wednesday (4/27) at 3:00 PM to
take up:
SB
334 - A bill to provide for service charge to be placed
on gas and electricity bills annually for low income and energy
efficiency.
Tax Policy,
Joint Meeting with Senate Finance will meet on Monday (4/25)
at 1:00 PM for a general discussion with the Michigan Manufacturers
Association (MMA), the Small Business Association of Michigan
(SBAM), the Michigan Association of Homebuilders, the Michigan
Bankers Association, the Michigan Business and Professionals
Association, the Car and Truck Rental Association, and the Michigan
Boating Association regarding the Governors single business
tax restructuring proposal. Please note: the meeting will focus
only on the parts of the Governors tax restructuring proposal
that deal with the single business tax (SBT).
Appropriations:
Agriculture will meet on Thursday (4/28) at 3:00 pm to take
up the Fiscal Year 2005-06 Agriculture Budget.
Appropriations:
Community Health will meet on Thursday (5/5) at 2:30 PM
to take testimony on Agenda Administration, Aging, and Public
Health Overview
Appropriations:
Transportation will meet on Tuesday (4/26) at 1:00 PM for
testimony on the Fiscal Year 2005-06 Transportation Budget
Appropriations:
Natural Resources will meet on Wednesday (5/4) at 3:00 PM
for an Advice and Consent Meeting on Glen Bailey and Todd Wyett,
Appointees to the Michigan State Waterways Commission
House
Passed:
HB
4560 - A bill to revise penalties for violations of
emerald ash borer quarantine.
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.
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.
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.
In committee:
Conservation,
Forestry, and Outdoor Recreation will meet on Thursday (4/28)
at 8:30 AM for testimony on the status of the Gaylord to Cheboygan
snowmobile trail from:
Michigan Snowmobile Association, Bill Manson
Indian River Chamber of Commerce, Brenda Archambeau
Energy
and Technology will meet Wednesday (4/27) at 9:00 am for
a presentation from Ronald McNamara, Vice President of Market
Management, Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator,
Inc. (MISO) regarding background on MISO, the start-up of the
Day 2 market and related matters
Transportation
will meet on Tuesday (4/26) at 9:00 am to take up:
HB
4602 - A bill to revise the definition of maintenance
to delete the installation of new traffic signals.
Presentation
on Motor Fuel Prices by Mark Griffin, Michigan Petroleum Association
Presentation
on Motor Fuel Prices by Brad Deacon and Celeste Bennett from
the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA)
Agriculture
will meet on Tuesday (4/26) at 2:00 PM or after committees are
given leave by the House to meet, whichever time is later to
take up:
HB
4558
- A bill to forgive a $5 million loan to sugar beet cooperatives.
Tax Policy,
Joint Meeting with Senate Finance will meet on Monday (4/25)
at 1:00 PM for a general discussion with the Michigan Manufacturers
Association (MMA), the Small Business Association of Michigan
(SBAM), the Michigan Association of Homebuilders, the Michigan
Bankers Association, the Michigan Business and Professionals
Association, the Car and Truck Rental Association, and the Michigan
Boating Association regarding the Governors single business
tax restructuring proposal. Please note: the meeting will focus
only on the parts of the Governors tax restructuring proposal
that deal with the single business tax (SBT).
Appropriations:
Agriculture will meet on Thursday (4/26) at 10:30 am to
take up the Fiscal Year 2005-06 Agriculture Budget - Agriculture
Budget and Environmental Stewardship.
Appropriations:
Environmental Quality will meet on Wednesday (4/27) 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 (4/27) 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 (4/27) at 8:30 AM
for a testimony on the 2005-06 Transportation Budget
Submitted
by:
James Clift
Brad Garmon
Michigan Environmental Council
119 Pere Marquette, Ste 2A
Lansing, MI 48912
(517) 487-9539
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