HB 5937 Michigan House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Environmental protection: permits; approval process for certain permits; modify. Amends secs. 1301, 1305, 1307, 3112 & 30307 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.1301 et seq.).

This bill modifies the Michigan Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to establish specific time limits for state agencies to review and approve various environmental permits. It directly affects businesses and individuals applying for permits related to activities such as oil and gas drilling, mining, waste disposal, water use, and construction. The legislation defines a "processing period" with varying deadlines - ranging from 20 to 150 days depending on the permit type - and requires agencies to declare an application administratively complete within 30 days of receipt. By setting these clear timelines, the bill aims to create a more predictable and efficient approval process for environmental permits issued by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Apr 2026

Committee Review

Jul 2026

House Passage

Jun 2026

Senate Passage

Jul 2026

Governor

Introduced Apr 30, 2026 Last action Jul 1, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Substitute (H-1) → Substitute (H-1) - 2 · 3 edits

MINOR

The document changed from a webpage listing many bills to the full text of a single bill (HB 5937) regarding environmental permits. The bill establishes a new 'Environmental Permit Review Commission' to speed up the approval process for permits requested by out-of-state applicants, while maintaining standard timelines for Michigan residents.

Scope change

The bill applies specifically to permits requested by individuals or entities not from Michigan, creating a separate, faster processing track for them compared to the standard process for in-state applicants.

DEFINITION

Created new definitions for 'Environmental permit review commission', 'environmental permit panel', and 'application period' to establish the framework for the new expedited process.

REQUIREMENT

Established a new 'expedited processing period' of 20 to 60 days for out-of-state permit applications, which is significantly shorter than the standard 90-day timeline for in-state applicants.

ENFORCEMENT

Mandated that the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy must consult with a specific committee before approving permits for sunken aircraft or watercraft recovery by out-of-state entities.

Floor votes · House Jun 25, 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

Jul 1, 2026

Committee

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT

upper

Jul 1, 2026

Upper · Passed

PASSED BY HOUSE WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT

upper

Jun 25, 2026

Introduced

title amended

lower

Jun 25, 2026

Lower · Passed

passed; given immediate effect Roll Call #260 Yeas 58 Nays 49 Excused 0 Not Voting 3

lower

Jun 25, 2026

Lower · Passed

substitute (H-1) adopted

lower

Jun 25, 2026

Committee

referred to second reading

lower

Jun 25, 2026

Lower · Passed

reported with recommendation with substitute (H-1)

lower

Jun 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

recommendation concurred in

lower

Jun 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

reported with recommendation for referral to Committee on Rules with substitute (H-1)

lower

Apr 30, 2026

Committee

referred to Committee on Regulatory Reform

lower

Apr 30, 2026

Introduced

introduced by Representative Rep. Joseph Aragona

lower

1 primary · 3 co-sponsors