MEC Capitol Update
May 7, 2004

Big week for land use issues in the legislature -- see House committees.

Senate Natural Resources Committee to take testimony on PA 14 of 2003 which allowed for the destruction of emergent coastal wetlands.

Senate

Passed:

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.

On the calendar:

SB 722 -- To expand the definition of small business making more companies eligible for pollution prevention loans.

SB 723 -- To expand potential loan for pollution prevention assistance from $50,000 to $150,000 from the revolving loan fund.

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

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.

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:

Natural Resources & Environmental Affairs will meet on Tuesday (5/11) at 3:00 PM to take up:

Land use presentation given by the Grand Valley Metro Council

Destruction of Coastal Wetlands -- Oversite of Public Act 14 of 2003 -- The committee will review implementation of the act that allows the plowing of emergent coastal wetland areas -- and will explore whether commercial operations should receive special treatment

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

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.
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Appropriation Committees:

Agriculture -- will meet on Thursday (5/13) 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 (5/11) at 1:00 PM to take up HB 5528 -- Department of Transportation; provide for fiscal year 2004-2005.

House

Passed:

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. Money would be split between schools and fire protection purposes.

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

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

On the calendar:

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 operations the 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).

HB 5698 -- Provide for and limit the uniform language on certificate of completion for weapon licensing.

HB 4358 -- To increase the length limit for trucks to 65 feet.

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 (5/11) at 10:30 AM to take up:

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.

Conservation and Outdoor Recreation will meet on Wednesday (5/12) at 10:30 AM to take up:

HB 4588 -- Include in the definition of regulated wetlands those small noncontiguous wetlands identified as high value by the MDEQ in 1996 -- notice would be sent to the owners.

Energy and Technology will meet on Wednesday (5/12) at 9:00 AM to take up:

HB 5807 -- A bill to establish independent transmission companies for electric utilities.
HB 5808 -- A bill to create the electric transmission line certificate act -- to allow them to condemn property for new lines with Public Service Commission approval. .

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 5660 -- The bill would amend the Revised School Code to specify that a school board could not build or expand a school without first submitting a site plan to the local zoning authority for review.

Local Government and Urban Policy will meet on Wednesday (5/12) at 9:00 AM to take testimony on:

HB 4106 -- Provide for state real estate transfer tax on transfer of certain manufactured homes.
HB 4879 -- Provide for exemption from sales tax on used manufactured homes.
HB 4882 -- Eliminate use tax on manufactured home sales.
HB 4880 -- Create and implement a manufactured housing specific tax.
HB 5844 -- Include for homestead property tax credit calculation amounts paid for Michigan manufactured housing specific tax.
HB 4111 -- Exempt from property taxes manufactured housing subject to specific tax.
HB 4868 -- Create a mobile homes manufactured home owners residency act.
HB 4869 -- Establish and clarify owners rights under the manufactured home owners association act.
HB 5035 -- Revise membership of the mobile home commission.

Select Committee on the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department -- will meet on Monday (5/10) at 6:30 PM at the Macomb Community College Center Campus 44575 Garfield Road Clinton Twp. MI 48038
Topic: Detroit Water & Sewer Board

Appropriation Subcommittees:

Natural Resources and Environmental Quality will meet on Tuesday (5/11) at 9:00 AM to take up:
SB 1068 -- The Department of Natural Resources budget for fiscal year 2004-2005, and
SB 1066 -- The Department of Environmental Quality for the fiscal year 2004-2005.