April 23, 2007

The House passed legislation authorizing a trash surcharge of $7.50 per ton.

Negotiations on the budget crisis continue.

SENATE

Passed:

SB 152 – A bill to phase out the use of phosphorus in dishwashing detergent by 2010.

SB 362 – A bill to put in statute the current restrictions placed on laundry detergent (currently in administrative rule).

In committee:

Appropriation subcommittees:

Environmental Quality will meet Thursday (4/26) at 1:00 for:

FY 2007-08 Department of Environmental Quality Budget

o Air Quality

o Environmental Science & Services

o Geological Survey

o Public Testimony

Natural Resources will meet Tuesday (4/24) at noon or after session for:

FY 2007-08 Department of Natural Resources Budget

o Wildlife

o Fisheries

o Law Enforcement

o Public Testimony

Standing committees:

Energy Policy and Public Utilities will meet Thursday (4/26) at 1:00 for:

SB 213 – Establishment of a portfolio standard for renewable energy (10% by 2015, waste-to-energy considered renewable).

SB 219 - Alternative proposal for establishment of a renewable portfolio standard (7% by 2015, waste-to-energy considered renewable).

SB 385 - Alternative proposal for establishment of a renewable portfolio standard (13% by 2015, waste-to-energy not considered renewable).

A presentation by the Michigan Sustainable Energy Coalition on Renewable Portfolio Standards.

HOUSE

Passed:

HB 4221 – Authorizes a trash surcharge of $7.50 per ton on all solid waste going to landfills. The bill exempts waste going to a solid waste incinerator.

On the floor:

HB 4047 - A bill to provide for a moratorium on construction of new landfills and limits on expansions of existing landfills.

HB 4485-86 – Bills to provide for changes to the solid waste planning process.

In Committee:

Appropriations subcommittees:

Agriculture will meet Wednesday at 9:00 to continue work on the FY 2007-08 budget.

Standing committees:

Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources will meet Tuesday (4/24) at 10:30 for testimony on HB 4597 - which would provide for hunting on department controlled land; and SB 336 - which would repeal the sunset on operating requirements for airboats.

Transportation: Public Transit will meet Monday (4/23) at 2:30 for:

Presentation by Jackie Shinn from the Michigan Department of Transportation

Presentation by Clarke Harder from the Michigan Public Transit Association

Agriculture will meet on Wednesday (4/25) at 2:30 or after committees are given leave to meet for a presentation by Tom Coon, Michigan State University Extension Director.

Submitted by:
James Clift
Jamie Weitzel
Michigan Environmental Council