Bills that would preempt local units of government from regulating the use of phosphorus fertilizers are scheduled for a hearing in the House Agriculture Committee on Wednesday at 2:30 pm or after session. A number of counties, cities and townships have passed ordinances that require a soil test before applying phosphorus fertilizers -- in attempts to control algae growth and reduce the need to apply herbicides to lakes to control exploding plant growth.
A vast majority of lawns in Michigan need no phosphorus to promote health growth. Minnesota has passed a statewide ban on phosphorus fertilizers except to establish a new lawn or based on soil testing.
The bills are sponsored by Reps. Mayes and Sheltrown.
SENATE
On the floor:
HB 4597: A bill to provide for hunting on Department of Natural Resources controlled land.
In committee:
Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs will meet on Wednesday (10/10) at 1:00 pm to take up:
SB 572 – A bill to allow the Natural Resources Commission to regulate the use of modified bows for hunting.
SB 628 – A bill to revise requirements that the owner of a public beach provides access to safety and rescue equipment and clarify that activity is a governmental function.
SB 629 – A bill to prohibit jumping, diving, or swimming off any pier in the Great Lakes.
Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs will meet with House Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources on Thursday (10/11) at 8:00 am for a briefing on the proposed 2007 Inland Hunting, Fishing & Gathering Rights Consent Decree in the Boji Tower Meeting Room.
Energy Policy and Public Utilities will meet on Thursday (10/11) at 1:00 pm to take up:
Confirmation hearing on the appointment of Orjiakor N. Isiogu to the Michigan Public Service Commission.
Discussion of long range energy plan for Michigan.
Discussion of Renewable Fuels Commission Report.
Health Policy will meet on Wednesday at 3:00 pm to take up:
SB 174 – A bill to prohibit the manufacture, sale, or exchange of toys with lead content in excess of amount permitted by federal regulation.
HB 4132 – A bill to prohibit certain lead-bearing consumer products or require labeling.
HB 4399 - A bill to prohibit the sale of lunch boxes containing lead.
HB 4936 – A bill to remove the sunset for the Michigan childhood lead poisoning prevention and control commission.
Economic Development and Regulatory Reform will meet on Wednesday (10/10) at 1:00 pm to take up a number of bills that regulate the activities and costs that may be incurred by brownfield development authorities.
HOUSE
On the floor:
SB 350: A bill to create an animal welfare fund.
In committee:
Energy and Technology will meet on Wednesday (10/10) at 9:00 am for presentation by: Jose Delgado, CEO of American Transmission Company and Barry Bahrman of Timberland Power Company
Agriculture will meet on Wednesday (10/10) at 2:30 PM or after committees are given leave by the House to meet, whichever time is later, to take up HB 5034 and HB 5035 that would preempt any local unit of government from regulating the use of fertilizer. *
* Clarification – HB 5034 and HB 5035 limit their application to agricultural use as defined below.
MCLA 324.36101:
(b) “Agricultural use” means the production of plants and animals useful to humans, including forages and sod crops; grains, feed crops, and field crops; dairy and dairy products; poultry and poultry products; livestock, including breeding and grazing of cattle, swine, captive cervidae, and similar animals; berries; herbs; flowers; seeds; grasses; nursery stock; fruits; vegetables; Christmas trees; and other similar uses and activities. Agricultural use includes use in a federal acreage set-aside program or a federal conservation reserve program. Agricultural use does not include the management and harvesting of a woodlot.
Transportation: Public Transit will meet on Wednesday (10/10) at 9:00 am for presentation by the following:
- Megan Owens, Executive Director, Transportation Riders United
- Heather Carmona, Executive Director, Woodward Avenue Action Association
- David Bulkowski, Executive Director of Disability Advocates of Kent County & Facilitator of Faith in Motion
- Casey Dutmer, Chair of Concerned Citizens for Improved Transportation
- Clark Goodrich, Concerned Citizens for Improved Transportation
