Michigan Environmental Council

MEC Capitol Update
May 14, 2004

House Republicans move bill to exempt residential developers from school property taxes - a move that will promote urban sprawl and reduce funds available for education - see HB 5538 pending before the full House.

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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. The bill was amended to assure the board would implement plans to move the state toward certifying its forest as sustainable.

SB 1023 – A bill to establish pilot projects for marking and cutting timber with one company. The pilot program sunset in 2011.

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

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.

On the calendar:

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 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.

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:

Local, Urban & State Affairs will meet on Thursday (5/200 at 1:00 pm to take testimony on SB 740 to establish the Kirkland Warbler as the state bird.

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

Land Use Leadership Council presentations by:

Wayne Wood, Michigan Farm Bureau

Helen Taylor, Michigan Nature Conservancy
Lana Pollack, Michigan Environmental Council

SB 704 - A bill to require notice of the status of mineral rights when land is conveyed.

HB 5586 - A bill to establish a system for reporting toxic spills to emergency personnel in the community.

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:

SB 1023 – A bill to establish pilot projects for marking and cutting timber with one company. The pilot program sunset in 2011.

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

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.

On the calendar:

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.

HB 5538 -- This bill exempts from school property taxes all land held by developers for residential development purposes.

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. .

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 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:
Conservation and Outdoor Recreation will meet on Wednesday (5/19) at 10:30 AM for a presentation; Department of Natural Resources Land Review Strategy

Land Use and Environment will meet on Wednesday (5/19) 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 fees and revise regulation of land disposal of septage to encourage the use of public septage acceptance facilities.

HB 5772 -- To enact sentencing guidelines for crime of knowingly making false report in domestic septage licensing application.

Local Government and Urban Policy will meet on Wednesday (5/18) at 9:00 AM to take up:

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.

Government Operations will meet on Tuesday (5/18) at 2pm or after session to take up a number of bills, including:

HB 5025 -- Prohibits charging a fee for separating exempt from nonexempt information if other means are available.

HB 5852 -- Provides for penalties for public employees who knowingly withhold information available under freedom of information act.

Appropriation Subcommittees:

Natural Resources and Environmental Quality will meet on Tuesday (5/18) at 9:00 AM to take up: SB 1066 -- The Department of Environmental Quality for the fiscal year 2004-2005.