MEC Capitol
Update
May 1, 2003
House of Representatives
Appropriations
- Natural Resources and Environmental Quality Subcommittee
The subcommittee
is finalizing its work on its recommendations for HB
4393 (MDEQ budget for fiscal year 2003-04). As announced,
Rep. John Pastor, chair of the Appropriation Subcommittee
is proceeding with removing all proposed fees and cut general
fund support for the department’s environmental protection
programs by 15 percent and its administration by 30 percent
– much deeper cuts than recommended by Governor Jennifer
Granholm.
The Governor's
various fee proposals were designed to make up for the 26%
reduction in general fund support for the department, and
include $6.9 million
in new fees for water discharge permits.
The subcommittee
has begun work of the Department of Natural Resources budget
with action on the both budget expected within the next week
or two.
Hearings
next week:
Appropriations
- Natural Resources and Environmental Quality Subcommittee
Wednesday,
May 6 - 9 AM - DNR Budget
Thursday, May 7, - 2 PM or after session - both budgets -
final decisions likely
Conservation
and Outdoor Recreation - Wednesday, May 7 10:30 am
HB
4286 - Establishes the ruffed grouse as the state game
bird.
HB
4408 - Expands definition of peace officer for enforcement
of snowmobile violations.
House
Energy and Technology - Wednesday at 9:00 am
SCR 14
- A concurrent resolution to memorialize the President and
Congress of the United States to pursue and support fuel cell
research projects in Michigan.
Senate
Natural
Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee
SB
289 Water Use Regulation - The committee reported SB 289
this week, that as introduced, would have regulated water
use in Michigan.. As passed by committee, it is a modest improvement
to our water use reporting statute (mainly through additional
reporting requirements by the agricultural community). In
addition, it requires the MDEQ to do some additional mapping
(without enough money or enough information being provided),
and establishes a groundwater conservation advisory council
to study the issue more and decide if Michigan should ever
actually regulate water use.
Proposals
to allow the MDEQ to protect fragile natural resources or
require users to report water conservation practices were
defeated. Action is expected by the full Senate next week.
Hearings
next week:
Natural
Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee
HB
4087 - A bill to regulate disputes where conflicts occur
between groundwater users.
HB
4257 and SB
244 - Bills to regulate Coastal Wetlands - These bills
allows the destruction over of emergent coastal wetland by
lake front property owners without a permit. The House rejected
compromise legislation that allowed for lake access, the mowing
of vegetation, and the leveling of sand in non-vegetated areas.
The letter was also circulated from the EPA that stated that
passage of the bill could result in the loss of up to $3 million
in coastal zone management funds from the federal government.
Natural
Resources & Environmental Affairs and Appropriations Subcommittees:
Natural Resources and Environmental Quality - Thursday,
May 8 - 11:30 am or later immediately following Session.
Agenda:
Governor's Fee Proposals
Transportation
- Special meeting in Oakland County
Monday,
May 5 at 7:00 pm
Public
testimony regarding the impact of MDOT's deferred road projects
(like maybe slowing down urban sprawl)
Oakland
Co. Commissioners Auditorium, 1200 N. Telegraph Rd., Pontiac
