MEC Capitol
Update
May 9, 2003
House of Representatives
Appropriations - Natural Resources and Environmental Quality
Subcommittee
HB
4393 - Michigan Department of Environmental Quality budget
- FY 03-04 - The subcommittee passed out HB 4393 on Wednesday.
As announced, Rep. John Pastor, chair of the Appropriation
Subcommittee proceeded 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.
If upheld
by the full Legislature, the cuts will result in the layoff
of as many 120 employees at the Department of Environmental
Quality (MDEQ) and the loss of over $15 million in federal
matching funds. Rep. Pastor is trying to minimize the impacts,
but given the inadequate nature of current program, these
cuts will result in serious threats to public health in Michigan.
General Fund support for the department has dropped from $101
million in 2001 to $51 million under the budget proposed by
Pastor's Subcommittee.
The full
House will take the bills up next week.
HB
4400 - Michigan Department of Natural Resources budget
FY 03-04
The subcommittee
passed out a budget that reduced at administrative general
fund support by 40%. Provisions recommended by the Governor
to increase Motor Vehicle permits into State Parks were removed.
The state is also exploring reducing the amount of taxes paid
on state-owner land.
Conservation
and Outdoor Recreation
The committee
reported the following bills this week:
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 reported the following resolution:
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.
House
Appropriation Subcommittee - Agriculture - SB
288
Thursday,
May 15th at 8:00 am - Will begin work on this budget.
House
Appropriation Subcommittee - Transportation - SB
265
Tuesday,
May 13th at 2:00 pm - Will begin work on this budget.
Senate
SB
289 - Water Use Regulation - The full Senate took up SB
289 this week, that as introduced, would have regulated water
use in Michigan.. As passed, 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 consistent 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.
Amendments
to allow the MDEQ to protect fragile natural resources and
require users to report water conservation practices were
defeated.
Committee
Action:
Natural
Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee
HB
4087 - The committee took testimony on this bill to regulate
disputes where conflicts occur between groundwater users.
Although many groups, including MEC support the concept, the
legislation does not include any funding for the MDEQ to take
on this substantial new commitment. Further testimony will
be taken on Tuesday, May 13th at 3:00 pm.
HB
4257 and SB 244 - Bills to regulate Coastal Wetlands -
These bills allows the destruction of emergent coastal wetland
by lake front property owners without a permit. 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. Testimony was taken from supporters and
opponents of this legislation. The committee will likely revisit
the topic in the next few weeks.
Natural
Resources & Environmental Affairs and Appropriations Subcommittees:
Natural Resources and Environmental Quality - Thursday,
May 14 - 8:00 am
Agenda:
Governor's Fee Proposals for MDEQ - meeting was rescheduled
after the meeting on 5/8 was canceled.
Natural
Resources & Environmental Affairs and Appropriations Subcommittee
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