Environmental protection: water pollution; removal of surface debris without a permit; allow. Amends sec. 32512 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.32512).
HB 4314 amends Michigan's environmental law to allow property owners and communities to remove free-floating debris and uprooted vegetation from shorelines without a permit. Specifically, it permits mechanical or manual removal between the ordinary high-water mark and the water's edge, as long as the activity doesn't impact the lakebed. This change directly affects residents, shoreline property managers, and local groups maintaining areas along Great Lakes and Lake St. Clair shorelines. The exemption does not apply to the St. Clair River delta area in Clay Township, St. Clair County, as defined in 1899 PA 175.
Bill status
passed both
4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
Dec 2025
House Passage
Dec 2025
Senate Passage
Dec 2025
Governor
Introduced Apr 16, 2025
Last action Dec 16, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
House Introduced Bill
→
As Passed by the House
·
3 edits
·
Dec 10, 2025
MINOR
The bill text shows significant formatting and structural changes between the House introduction and the version passed by the House, including reorganization of sections and removal of header/footer metadata. The substantive policy language regarding waterway regulations, permit requirements, and exemptions appears largely unchanged in meaning, though some text was duplicated or rephrased during the markup process.
Scope change
No substantive change to the bill's scope or applicability; changes are primarily formatting and structural reorganization of existing provisions.
TECHNICAL
Header and footer metadata removed, including sponsor names, committee references, and page numbering information.
Section numbering and formatting reorganized, with some text duplication and rephrasing during the markup process.
Minor grammatical inconsistencies in the original text were preserved, including repeated words like 'removal of removing' and 'granted is issued'.
Floor votes · House Dec 10, 2025
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
13
Key actions
3
Committee
4
Dec 16, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT
upper
Dec 16, 2025
Upper · Passed
PASSED BY HOUSE WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT
upper
Dec 10, 2025
Lower · Passed
passed; given immediate effect Roll Call #320 Yeas 87 Nays 11 Excused 0 Not Voting 12
lower
Nov 12, 2025
Committee
referred to second reading
lower
Nov 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
reported with recommendation without amendment
lower
Apr 16, 2025
Committee
referred to Committee on Natural Resources and Tourism
lower
Apr 16, 2025
Introduced
introduced by Representative Rep. Alicia St. Germaine
lower
1 primary · 26 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Alicia St. Germaine
RRepublican
Co
Angela Rigas
RRepublican
Co
Bill Schuette
RRepublican
Co
Brad Slagh
RRepublican
Co
Cam Cavitt
RRepublican
Co
Curt VanderWall
RRepublican
Co
David Martin
RRepublican
Co
Gina Johnsen
RRepublican
Co
Greg Alexander
RRepublican
Co
J.R. Roth
RRepublican
Co
Jamie Thompson
RRepublican
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