May 4, 2007
The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Department of Environmental Quality budget meets this Thursday. They have scheduled two sessions (9 am and 1 pm) in an attempt to hear from members of the public on the impacts of cuts on environmental protection.
SENATE
On the floor:
SB 412 - A bill to require state agencies to avoid purchasing products containing mercury under certain circumstances.
SB 441 - A bill to require the DNR to protect the right to hunt and fish.
SB 442 - A bill to require the DNR to protect the right to hunt.
SB 443 - A bill to require the DNR to protect the right to fish.
In committee:
Appropriation subcommittees:
Environmental Quality will meet Thursday (5/10) at 9:00 am and again at 1:00 pm for work on the FY 2007-08 Department of Environmental Quality Budget:
- Environmental Science & Services (9 am)
- Public Testimony
- Air Quality (1 pm)
- Geological Survey
- Land & Water Management
- Water Bureau
- Criminal Investigations
- Public Testimony
Natural Resources will meet Tuesday (5/8) at noon or after session for work on the FY 2007-08 Department of Natural Resources Budget:
- Parks
- Land and Facilities
- Public Testimony Standing committees:
Standing Committees:
Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs will meet Wednesday (5/9) at 1:00 to take up SB 473, which would require the DNR to maintain a website showing lands open for hunting. The Committee will also hear testimony regarding the Michigan Groundwater Conservation Advisory Progress Report given by co-chairs Kurt Heise, Jon Allan, and Dr. Paul Seelbach.
HOUSE
Passed:
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.
HB 4597 - a bill to provide for and promote hunting on DNR-controlled land.
On the floor:
HB 4463 - a bill to require the issuance of a permit to operate a marina at a public road. The MDEQ is concerned that the “shall issue” nature of the application could result in environmental degradation and possible overcrowding on inland lakes.
HB 4464 - a bill to clarify the intention of a plat donation of a road, street, or alley terminating at a lake or stream contiguous to a shoreline.
In Committee:
Appropriations subcommittees: n/a
Standing committees:
Agriculture will meet Tuesday (5/8) at 2:30 to take up:
HR 64 - A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to take action to investigate and provide remedies for those injured by the recent contamination of pet food and deaths of family pets.
HR 77 - A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to fund fully the Select Michigan agricultural program through the United States Department of Agriculture.
SB 350 - A bill to create an animal welfare fund.
The Committee will also hear testimony by Gordon Wenk, Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) Stewardship Program.
Agriculture will meet again on Wednesday (5/9) to take up:
HB 4641 – A bill to allow a county board of commissioners to change name of office of county drain commissioner to office of the water resources commissioner and authorize and increase amount of bond.
HB 4642 – A bill to provide for a definition of the term "visibly in existence".
HB 4643 – A bill to clarify liability for certain legal expenses of a drainage district.
HB 4644 – A bill to increase the enforcement power for removing obstructions or interferences with drains.
HB 4688 – A bill to double the amount a drain commissioner can spend on maintenance of a drain (from $2,500 to $5,000) – and assess those costs to taxpayers within a special assessment district. The taxpayers in such a district have no right to a vote on the maintenance project.
Transportation: Public Transit will meet on Wednesday (5/16) to take testimony from:
Rochelle Cotey, Executive Director, Alger County Public Transportation Authority
Cameron McCollum, General Manager, City of Jackson Transportation Authority
Jim Dunn, General Council, Eastern Upper Penninsula Transportation Authority
Vance Edwards, Cadillac/Wexford Transit Authority, MASSTrans
Mike Stoner, Bay Metro Transit Authority, MASSTrans
Submitted by:
James Clift
Jamie Weitzel
Michigan Environmental Council
