HB 5938 Michigan House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Environmental protection: permits; revisions of permit applications; limit. Amends sec. 30307 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.30307).

This bill amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to streamline the permitting process for wetland development and clarify the roles of state and local governments. It requires the state department to post pending applications and public notices online while establishing a 60-day timeline for holding public hearings after receiving a complete permit application. The legislation also grants local units of government the authority to adopt their own wetland ordinances, provided they follow specific rules regarding wetland definitions and permit requirements. Additionally, the bill sets a 90-day deadline for local governments to review applications in areas with local ordinances, after which the application is automatically approved if no decision is made. Finally, it introduces a process allowing permit holders to request changes without restarting the entire application process, limiting the department's ability to add unrelated requirements.
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 · 5 edits
MODERATE
The legislative text for HB 5938 was replaced with a new version that significantly expands the Michigan Department of Natural Resources' authority over wetlands. The new bill clarifies local government powers to regulate small wetlands, establishes a formal process for local governments to review and approve permit applications, and mandates that the state forward applications to local jurisdictions if they have adopted specific wetland ordinances.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from a simple permit revision to a comprehensive framework that integrates local government wetland regulations with state permitting processes, specifically addressing how local ordinances interact with state permits.
REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for the state to forward wetland permit applications to local governments that have adopted specific wetland ordinances, allowing those localities to review and approve or deny the permits.

Established a 90-day deadline for local governments to review and decide on wetland permit applications they receive from the state.

Clarified that local wetland ordinances must comply with state definitions and cannot require permits for activities already authorized without a permit under state law.

DEFINITION

Added provisions allowing local governments to regulate wetlands smaller than 5 acres, provided the ordinance meets specific state compliance standards.

TIMELINE

Modified the hearing timeline to allow the department to hold a hearing within 60 days of receiving a completed application, rather than a fixed 30-day window.

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
17
Key actions
6
Committee
5
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
Lower · Passed
passed; given immediate effect Roll Call #261 Yeas 62 Nays 45 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. Rachelle Smit
lower
1 primary · 3 co-sponsors

Sponsors