HB 5501 Michigan House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Natural resources: wetlands; replacement or relocation of wetlands within a development project; allow. Amends sec. 30311d of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.30311d).

HB 5501 allows developers to relocate wetlands within the same development project instead of creating new wetlands or restoring existing ones, directly affecting construction and land development permit applicants. The bill establishes a 1:1 wetland replacement ratio for in-parcel relocations when ecological functions are maintained or improved, while reducing the preference for on-site mitigation. It also introduces flexibility in mitigation ratios when using wetland bank credits and requires the Department of Natural Resources to develop guidelines for on-site mitigation planning. These changes aim to streamline permitting while maintaining wetland resource protection under Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act.

Issues: ✗ Environment

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Jun 2026

House Passage

Jun 2026

Senate Passage

Jun 2026

Governor

Introduced Feb 5, 2026 Last action Jun 10, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

As Passed by the House → Substitute (H-2) · 1 edit

MINOR

The bill was renumbered from HB 5501 to HB 5501 of 2026 and its title was updated to reflect the 2026 legislative session. The substantive text of the bill, which governs wetland mitigation rules, remains identical to the previous version, with no changes to the policy, requirements, or scope.

Scope change

The bill's scope and applicability are unchanged; only the bill number and session year were updated.

TECHNICAL

The bill number was updated from 'HB 5501' to 'HB 5501 of 2026' to reflect the current legislative session.

Substitute (H-2) → Substitute (H-2) - 2 · 6 edits

MODERATE

The document was updated to replace a list of legislative committee records with the full text of House Bill 5501, which amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act. This bill allows developers to replace or relocate wetlands within a development project if they can demonstrate that the project improves water quality, reduces wetland impairment, or removes the effect of fill material discharge. The changes also establish a preference for restoring existing wetlands over creating new ones and require a mitigation plan for any compensatory wetland mitigation.

Scope change

The document's scope changed from a list of bills in committee to the specific text of one bill (HB 5501) regarding wetland replacement and relocation.

REQUIREMENT

Added conditions for replacing or relocating wetlands, requiring that the project either reduces impairment to wetland benefits, improves water quality, or removes the effect of fill material discharge.

Added a requirement that any compensatory wetland mitigation must comply with specific mitigation ratios and factors, such as the likelihood of success and the distance between the affected site and the mitigation site.

Added a requirement that permit applicants provide for permanent protection of the wetland mitigation site, potentially through a conservation easement.

Added a requirement for financial assurance to ensure compensatory wetland mitigation is accomplished, with the department able to release funds only after monitoring demonstrates compliance.

Added the option for permit applicants to make a payment into a stewardship fund as an alternative to providing financial assurance for agricultural activities.

DEFINITION

Added a new section defining the methods for compensatory wetland mitigation, prioritizing the acquisition of credits from a wetland mitigation bank, followed by restoration of previously existing wetlands, creation of new wetlands, and preservation of exceptional wetlands.

Floor votes · House Jun 4, 2026

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jun 10, 2026

Committee

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND AGRICULTURE

upper

Jun 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

PASSED BY HOUSE WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT

upper

Jun 4, 2026

Introduced

title amended

lower

Jun 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

passed; given immediate effect Roll Call #184 Yeas 57 Nays 51 Excused 0 Not Voting 2

lower

Jun 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

substitute (H-2) adopted

lower

May 21, 2026

Committee

referred to second reading

lower

May 21, 2026

Lower · Passed

reported with recommendation with substitute (H-2)

lower

Apr 29, 2026

Lower · Passed

recommendation concurred in

lower

Apr 29, 2026

Lower · Passed

reported with recommendation for referral to Committee on Rules with substitute (H-2)

lower

Feb 5, 2026

Committee

referred to Committee on Natural Resources and Tourism

lower

Feb 5, 2026

Introduced

introduced by Representative Rep. Gregory Alexander

lower

1 primary · 5 co-sponsors