MEC Capitol Update
May 4, 2004

Senate

On the calendar:

SB 1024 – A bill that changes the make up of the Michigan Forest Finance Authority -- giving added authority to the forest products industry.

SB 1023 – A bill to establish pilot projects for marking and cutting timber with one company.

HB 5554 – A bill to revise forest planning processes and promote sustainable forestry.

SB 927 -- Establishes a legislative workgroup to examine game and fish program revenue -- made up of legislators, Natural Resource Commission members and other interested parties.

SB 217 - The bill to amend the drain code was reported from the Agriculture Committee.

Recycling bills:

SB 532 and SB 533-- anti-littering legislation

SB 853 -- Reporting on the nature and the amount of litter collected under the adopt-a-river program

SB 854 - creates statewide recycling coordinator position

SB 855 - Reporting on the nature and the amount of litter collected under the adopt-a-shoreline program

SB 856 - Requires the state to conduct a comprehensive study on littering and create a marketing program to reduce litter

SB 857 - Reporting on the nature and the amount of litter collected under the adopt-a-trail program

SB 858 - Reporting on the nature and the amount of litter collected under the adopt-a-park program

SB 860 - Establishes a 1-800 number for reporting littering violations

SB 861 - Sets statewide goals for recycling rates (30% by 2009, 50% by 2014)

In committee:

Technology & Energy will meet on Wednesday (5/4) at 3:00 PM to continue its discussion on Public Act 141 of 2000 (Electric restructuring).

Natural Resources & Environmental Affairs will meet on Tuesday (5/4) at 3:00 PM to take up:

OVERVIEW: Department of Environmental Quality/State Tax Commission administation of the tax credit for pollution control devices

SB 704 -- A bill to require notice of severed oil and gas rights when surface rights are conveyed.

SCR 35 -- A concurrent resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States and the federal government to work with Michigan officials to align the ownership of mineral rights and surface rights on state and federal lands in Michigan and to express our intent to take actions to achieve this goal.

SR 171 -- A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States and the federal government to work with Michigan officials to align the ownership of mineral rights and surface rights on state and federal lands in Michigan and to express our intent to take actions to achieve this goal.

SB 722 -- To expand the types of eligible projects for pollution prevention funding.

SB 723 -- To revise eligibility criteria small business pollution prevention assistance revolving loan fund.

SB 1132 -- A bill to establish sentencing guidelines for violations of the environmental laboratory accreditation program.

SB 1133 -- A bill to provide for denial of accreditation and information gathering for the environmental laboratory accreditation program.
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SB 1134 -- A bill to provide for sanctions and reports to legislature on the environmental laboratory accreditation program.
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SB 1135 -- A bill to require accreditation and provide for renewal under the environmental laboratory accreditation program.

SB 1136 -- A bill to provide for reciprocity, analytical methods, and fees for the environmental laboratory accreditation program.
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SCR 41 -- A concurrent resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to provide funding for the dredging of canals around the city of Gibraltar.

SR 234 -- A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to provide funding for the dredging of canals around the city of Gibraltar.

Appropriation Committees:

Agriculture -- will meet on Thursday (5/6) at 1:00 PM to take up HB 5509 -- the budget for the Department of Agriculture for fiscal year 2004-2005.

Transportation - will meet on Tuesday (5/6) at 1:00 PM to take up HB 5528 -- Department of Transportation; provide for fiscal year 2004-2005.

House

Passed:

HB 4688 -- A bill to limit when a local unit of government would need to site a landfill as long as sufficient capacity existed within 160 miles.

HB 5673 -- Expands the definition of livestock under the agricultural classification for property tax purposes. Language that include commercial facilities and game preserves were removed in committee. Horse farms will be included.

HB 5681 -- Establish penalties for destruction to vegetation or property in Mackinac Island state park.

On the calendar:

HB 5313 -- Substantially revises and provide for distribution of proceeds upon subsequent conveyance for property conveyed by the state to certain other entities. Much of the effected land is forest land that was deeded to schools (approximately 82,000 acres). Some schools now want to sell the land for a one-time infusion of money.

HB 5665 -- Give preference under State purchasing to paper products that derive from sustainably managed forests or procurement systems.

HB 5273 -- A bill that reduces the penalties for improper transportation of hazardous materials.

SB 221 -- Allows an individual to carrying a pistol in area frequented by game; allow if individual has, or is exempt from having, a concealed weapon permit.

SB 510 -- a bill to establish stormwater fees.

HB 5312 -- allows hunters to donate an additional $1.00 when purchasing hunting or fishing licensing to support the sportsmen against hunger program

SB 193 -- Provides for a specialty license plates for ducks unlimited

In committee:

Agriculture and Resource Management will meet on Tuesday (5/4) at 10:15 AM to take up:

HCR 51 -- A concurrent resolution to disapprove Executive Order No. 2004-3, that transfer regulations over privately owned deer and elk captive cervidae livestock facilities and operationsthe captive from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Natural Resources. Environmental and Conservation have been calling for the transfer due to inaction by the Department of Agriculture to address issue such as Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).

Conservation and Outdoor Recreation will meet on Wednesday (5/5) at 10:30 AM to take up:
HB 5698 -- Provide for and limit the uniform language on certificate of completion for weapon licensing.
HB 5733 -- Exempts Department of Natural Resources from lake level special assessments.

Energy and Technology will meet on Wednesday (5/5) at 9:00 AM to take testimony on:
HB 5807 -- A bill to establish independent transmission companies for electric utilities.
HB 5808 -- A bill to create the electric transmission line certificate act.

Land Use and Environment will meet on Wednesday (5/5) at 2:00 PM or after committees are given leave by the House to meet, whichever time is later, to take up:
HB 5771 -- A bill to increase septage program fees and revise regulation of land disposal of septage.
HB 5772 -- A bill to enact sentencing guidelines for crime of knowingly making false report in domestic septage licensing application.

Transportation will meet on Thursday (5/6) at 9:00 AM to take up a number of bills, including:
HB 4358 -- To increase the length limit for trucks to 65 feet.

Appropriation Subcommittees:

Natural Resources and Environmental Quality will meet on Tuesday (5/4) at 9:00 AM to take up SB 1068 -- The Department of Natural Resources budget for fiscal year 2004-2005.