MEC Capitol Update
May 21, 2004

Bill to ease the regulation of aquatic pesticides back up in Senate Committee this week.

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Senate

Passed:

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

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.
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 (5/25) at 3:00 PM for a presentation on the Land Use Leadership Council by Hans Voss of the Michigan Land Use Institute and to take up the following bills:
SB 926 - A bill to extend the prohibition of feeding deer and elk in certain parts of the state.

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.

SB 1134 -- A bill to provide for sanctions and reports to legislature on the environmental laboratory accreditation program.

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.

HB 4729 -- Amends the statute controlling aquatic nuisances to enhance sanctions for violations.

HB 4730 -- Amends the statute controlling aquatic nuisances to deregulate the application of aquatic pesticides and extremely limited the reasons that the department could deny a permit. Any permit not acted on within 15 days is granted. The Michigan Environmental Council strongly opposes this bill.

Appropriation Committee -- will meet on Thursday (5/25) at 2:00 PM to take up HB 5509 -- the budget for the Department of Agriculture for fiscal year 2004-2005.

House

Passed:
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.

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. .

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

On the calendar:

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.

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.
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 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:

Agriculture and Resource Management will meet Tuesday (5/25) at 10:30 am to take up:

HB 5709-10 -- Provides for a single business tax credit for businesses that sell replacement trees to municipalities affected by emerald ash borer.

HB 5711 -- Provides a income tax credit to homeowners who remove and replace certain infested trees.
Conservation and Outdoor Recreation will meet on Wednesday (5/26) at 10:30 AM to take up HB 5914 -- a bill to require the use of hunter orange on portable hunting blinds.

Energy and Technology will meet on Wednesday (5/26) at 9:00 am for a hearing on Energy Portfolio Diversification.
Local Government and Urban Policy will meet on Tuesday (5/25) at 9:00 AM to take up HB 5034 -- a bill to access mobile homes as real property.

Appropriation Subcommittees:

Natural Resources and Environmental Quality will meet on Tuesday (5/25) at 9:00 AM to take up: SB 1066 -- The Department of Environmental Quality for the fiscal year 2004-2005.