MEC Capitol Update
June 13, 2003

Senate

HB 4087 - The Senate passed its version of this bill to regulate disputes where conflicts occur between groundwater users. However, the MDEQ still opposes the legislation because of problems they have identified regarding implementing the program. The Senate did not give the bill immediate effect, which would prevent the bill from going into effect this summer.

Committee activity:

Appropriation Committee - Passed the following bills:

SB 561 - Landfill Inspection Fees - Concurs with the Governor recommendation of $2.6 million in additional fees to fund solid waste management activities. The committee amended the bill to expand coverage to incinerators and changed the duration of some licenses.

SB 560 - Groundwater Discharge Fees - Included $1.38 million in new groundwater discharge fees. The Governor had proposed $3.58 million in fees. These new fees will keep this program under funded with chronic non-compliance remaining a problem.

SB 510 - Stormwater Discharge Fees - Concurs with the Governor's recommendation for $1.16 million in new stormwater discharge fees.

Senate Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee

The Committee moved the following legislation last week.

SB 252 - Water Discharge Permit Fees (NPDES) - The committee moved a bill that used a formula designed by the regulated industry (that generally has small dischargers subsidizing large ones). The bill only raises $3.0 million dollars (the Governor had asked for $7.2 million to run a credible program). The MDEQ adds $2.0 million in general fund -- leaving the state with an inadequate water protection program. Language earmarking the money for permit issuance was removed and language requiring pollution prevention alternatives to be explored was added.

HB 4408 - Law enforcement; local police; expands the definition of peace officer for enforcement of snowmobile violations

SB 46 - Environmental protection; water pollution; doubles the penalties for polluting Michigan waters

SB 47 - Criminal procedure; sentencing guidelines; increasing penalties for polluting waters include in Michigan sentencing guidelines.

The committee will be addressing legislation regarding out-of-state trash next week.

Senate Technology and Energy

Wednesday, June 18th at 3:00 pm to discuss natural gas issues.

House of Representatives

Committee action:

Land Use & Environment

The committee considered the following legislation. It is scheduled for further work next week - Wednesday, June 18 at 2:00 pm or after House session

SB 289 - Water Use Regulation - As introduced, this bill would have regulated water use in Michigan.. As passed by the Senate, 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.

SB 372 - The bill establishes an Adopt-A-Watershed program in Michigan.

New bills to be considered:

HB 4480-84 and HB 4488 - This bills deal with the issue of clearing title on property and the establishment of a land bank.

House Great Lakes And Tourism

Thursday, June 19th at 9:00 am

HR 63 - To memorialize Congress to increase funding for Lake St. Clair.

WATCH - This committee has been referred the bill that deregulates the application of chemicals to kill aquatic nuisance species (HB 4730) -- it is not scheduled for action - but a revised agenda could go out before Thursday.

Task Force:

The last hearing the Senate Task Force on Recycling of the Bottle Deposit Law is on Monday, June 16th from 7-9 pm in the Senate Hearing Room of the Boji Tower (old Michigan National Bank Building).